Solar module system and method using transistors for bypass
First Claim
1. A solar module system comprising:
- a plurality of solar cells, each solar cell operable to generate power in response to light, the plurality of solar cells arranged in strings, each string of solar cells comprising at least two solar cells connected in series, wherein a current may flow through all of the strings of solar cells to deliver the power generated by the solar cells of each string to a load; and
a plurality of bypass components, wherein a separate bypass component is provided for each string of solar cells, each bypass component operable to provide a bypass route for the respective string of solar cells in the event that at least one solar cell of the respective string is not generating power;
wherein each bypass component comprises;
at least two transistors connected in series with each other and in parallel with the respective string of solar cells, each transistor have a control terminal;
control logic for providing a control signal to the control terminal of each of the at least two transistors, the control signal for turning on the at least two transistors so that current flows through the at least two transistors, thereby bypassing the respective string of solar cells, when at least one solar cell of the respective string is not generating power.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a bypass component is provided for use with a string of solar cells. Each solar cell is operable to generate power in response to light. A current may flow through all of the solar cells of the string to deliver the power generated by the solar cells of the string out to a load. The bypass component provides a bypass route for the string of solar cells in the event that at least one solar cell of the string is not generating power. The bypass component includes at least two transistors connected in series with each other and in parallel with the string of solar cells, each transistor having a control terminal. Control logic for the bypass component provides a control signal to the control terminal of each of the at least two transistors. The control signal turns on the at least two transistors so that current flows through the at least two transistors, thereby bypassing the string of solar cells, when at least one solar cell of the string is not generating power.
166 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A solar module system comprising:
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a plurality of solar cells, each solar cell operable to generate power in response to light, the plurality of solar cells arranged in strings, each string of solar cells comprising at least two solar cells connected in series, wherein a current may flow through all of the strings of solar cells to deliver the power generated by the solar cells of each string to a load; and a plurality of bypass components, wherein a separate bypass component is provided for each string of solar cells, each bypass component operable to provide a bypass route for the respective string of solar cells in the event that at least one solar cell of the respective string is not generating power; wherein each bypass component comprises; at least two transistors connected in series with each other and in parallel with the respective string of solar cells, each transistor have a control terminal; control logic for providing a control signal to the control terminal of each of the at least two transistors, the control signal for turning on the at least two transistors so that current flows through the at least two transistors, thereby bypassing the respective string of solar cells, when at least one solar cell of the respective string is not generating power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A bypass component for use with a string of solar cells, each solar cell operable to generate power in response to light, wherein a current may flow through all of the solar cells of the string to deliver the power generated by the solar cells of the string out to a load, the bypass component for providing a bypass route for the string of solar cells in the event that at least one solar cell of the string is not generating power, the bypass component comprising:
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at least two transistors connected in series with each other and in parallel with the string of solar cells, each transistor have a control terminal; and control logic for providing a control signal to the control terminal of each of the at least two transistors, the control signal for turning on the at least two transistors so that current flows through the at least two transistors, thereby bypassing the string of solar cells, when at least one solar cell of the string is not generating power. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification