Enhanced systems and methods for using a power converter for balancing modules in single-string and multi-string configurations

• US 10,756,545 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2016
• Issued: 08/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Original Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Inventors: Arditi, Shmuel, Makhota, Maxym
• Primary Examiner(s): Amrany, Adi
• Application Number:
  US15/203,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20170012435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 307 43, 307 51- 52, 307 63, 307 71- 72, 307 75, 307 82, 307151
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources maximum power point systems in particular G05F1/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy wind motors F03D
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/40 Synchronising a generator for connection to a network or to another generator
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods include a solar array having one or more string buses of series-connected solar modules. The current outputs from the solar modules on each string bus can be balanced along with the voltage output from the string buses. Local management units coupled between the solar modules and the string buses are configured to control the voltage output from each solar module. When the solar modules on each string are balanced, and when the string buses are balanced (or before the solar modules and string buses are balanced), an inverter or other device connected to the solar array can find the array'"'"'s maximum power point via a maximum power point tracking algorithm.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic system, comprising:

a plurality of photovoltaic modules;

a plurality of management units coupled with the plurality of photovoltaic modules respectively, wherein each of the plurality of management units includes communication circuitry configured to;

broadcast an operating parameter to at least one other management unit in the plurality of management units,

receive, from a second management unit in the plurality of management units, a second operating parameter of the second management unit,

compute one or more of a duty cycle and phase parameter based on a ratio between the operating parameter and the second operating parameter, and

operate a respective photovoltaic module at a maximum power point based on the computing.

2. The photovoltaic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a maximum power point tracker coupled to a series connection of power outputs of the plurality of management units, the maximum power point tracker is configured to track the maximum power point of the series connection as a whole.

3. The photovoltaic system of claim 2, wherein the respective management unit includes a power converter configured to convert the input to the power output.

4. The photovoltaic system of claim 3, wherein the respective management unit is configured to adjust operations of the power converter to adjust a second current-voltage curve at the second terminals of the respective management unit.

5. The photovoltaic system of claim 4, wherein the respective management unit provides electric power received from the respective module solely to the power output connected in the series connection.