Solar battery module and power generation apparatus

• US 20020038667A1
• Filed: 09/24/2001
• Published: 04/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kondo, Hiroshi, Takehara, Nobuyoshi, Kurokami, Seiji
• Granted Patent: US 6,838,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/244
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/293 Circuits

Abstract

AC module, integrating a solar battery and an inverter, can easily be connected with other plural AC modules in parallel by way of cascade connections. However, when the number of AC modules connected is improvidently increased, the current flowing through the current path or connector of the AC module exceeds a rated current. In view of this, the current detector detects a current in the collective-power current path of the AC module, and when the detected current value exceeds a value set in the reference current setting circuit, the current detector stops the inverter.

Claims

1. A solar battery device comprising:

a solar battery;

a power converter, arranged to convert electric power outputted from the solar battery;

an input connector, arranged to input electric power from outside said device;

an output connector, arranged to collect the electric power inputted by said input connector and the electric power outputted by said power converter, and output the collected electric power to outside said device;

a detector, arranged to detect a current value of an electric current of said output connector; and

a controller, arranged to control output of said power converter when the current value detected by said detector exceeds a predetermined value.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said controller halts output of said power converter in a case where a current value detected by said detector exceeds a predetermined value.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said controller reduces output power of said power converter in a case where a current value detected by said detector exceeds a predetermined value.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said input and output connectors are a plug and a receptacle which are connectable to each other, wherein the plug is used for said input connector and the receptacle is used for said output connector.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator, arranged to indicate a control state of an output of said power converter.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said power converter is an inverter for converting DC power, outputted by said solar battery, to AC power.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said power converter is a DC-DC converter for converting DC power, outputted by said solar battery, to DC power.

8. A generator for generating electric power comprising the solar battery devices, each of which is accorded to claim 1, wherein the solar battery devices are connected in a cascade.

9. A generator for generating electric power, comprising a plurality of the solar battery devices according to claim 1, wherein said solar battery devices are cascaded for each phase of a power path adopting a single-phase three-wire system.