Method and System for Connecting Solar Cells or Slices in a Panel System

• US 20090120485A1
• Filed: 10/17/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Original Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Inventors: Kikinis, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 9,218,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/244
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/67 to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/1421 comprising bypass diodes integrated or directly associated with the device, e.g. bypass diode integrated or formed in or on the same substrate as the solar cell
• 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 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33507 with automatic control of the output voltage or current, e.g. flyback converters H02M3/33561, H02M3/33569 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/30 Electrical components
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A method and system include a plurality of solar cells and a plurality of voltage controllers. Each of the plurality of solar cells is directly coupled to a dedicated one of the plurality of voltage controllers to form unique pairs of solar cells and voltage controllers. Each of a plurality of panels contain a plurality of unique pairs.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of solar cells;

a plurality of voltage controllers, wherein each of the plurality of solar cells is directly coupled to a dedicated one of the plurality of voltage controllers to form unique pairs of solar cells and voltage controllers; and

a plurality of panels, each of the plurality of panels containing a plurality of unique pairs.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein output of at least two of the controllers are connected to a common node.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of controllers is connected to more than one of the plurality of cells.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of controllers includes a chip regulator coupled to one of the plurality of cells.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the chip regulator is coupled to the one of the plurality of the cells through a rectifier.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the rectifier is connected in series with a diode through the chip regulator.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the diode is a Schottky diode.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the chip regulator and a capacitor are connected in parallel.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of controllers includes:

a first transistor;

a second transistor; and

a controller chip having a first drive connection and a second drive connection, the first drive connection coupled to the first transistor, and the second drive connection coupled to the second transistor.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a diode is coupled to the first transistor and the second transistor.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the diode is a Schottky diode.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein a rectifier is coupled between the controller chip and one of the plurality of cells.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller chip includes a sense pin coupled to the second transistor.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein a first capacitor is coupled to the controller chip.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller chip includes a feedback pin coupled to the first transistor and the diode.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein a second capacitor is coupled to the controller chip.

17. A solar array system comprising:

a plurality of cells;

a plurality of controllers, each of the plurality of controllers connected to at least one of the plurality of cells; and

a plurality of panels, each of the plurality of panels containing a portion of the plurality of cells and the plurality of controllers.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of controllers includes:

a chip regulator configured to switch voltage;

a rectifier, coupled between the chip regulator and the cell;

a capacitor; and

a Schottky diode, configured to avoid back-flow current, the diode coupled to the capacitor and the chip regulator.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of controllers includes:

a first transistor having a first gate;

a second transistor having a second gate;

a Schottky diode; and

a controller chip, coupled to the first transistor, the second transistor, and the Schottky diode, to control rectification and bucking, the controller chip having a first drive pin to drive the first gate and a second drive pin to drive the second gate.

20. A method for connecting a solar panel comprising:

providing a plurality of solar cells for a panel;

providing a plurality of voltage controllers for the panel; and

coupling each of the plurality of solar cells to a dedicated one of the plurality of voltage controllers.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising connecting the plurality of voltage controllers in series.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising connecting the plurality of voltage controllers in parallel.