Novel System and Method for Addressing Solar Energy Production Capacity Loss Due to Field Buildup Between Cells and Glass and Frame Assembly

• US 20100139743A1
• Filed: 12/01/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Original Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Inventors: HADAR, Ron, ARDITI, Shmuel, KIKINIS, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 9,312,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/388 Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/34 comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H05F 3/02 by means of earthing connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for removing charge buildup/leakage from solar modules. A discharge controller may be coupled between a solar module and a string bus of a solar array. The discharge controller may be configured to disconnect the solar module from the string bus, and to connect a grounded frame to solar cells of the solar module. Since the grounded frame of the solar module may be grounded, connecting the grounded frame and the solar cells allows charge buildup/leakage to discharge into ground.

Claims

1. A solar generation unit comprising:

solar cells of a solar module;

a grounded frame of the solar module; and

a discharge controller configured to;

disconnect the solar cells of the solar module from a string bus; and

connect the solar cells of the solar module to the grounded frame.

2. The solar generation unit of claim 1, wherein the discharge controller comprises a switchable connection between a negative pole of the solar module and the string bus.

3. The solar generation unit of claim 2, wherein the switchable connection is configured to:

disconnect the negative pole of the solar module from the string bus; and

connect the negative pole of the solar module to the grounded frame.

4. The solar generation unit of claim 1, wherein the discharge controller comprises a switchable connection between a positive pole of the solar module and the string bus.

5. The solar generation unit of claim 4, wherein the switchable connection is configured to:

disconnect the positive pole of the solar module from the string bus; and

connect the positive pole of the solar module to the grounded frame.

6. The solar generation unit of claim 1, wherein the discharge controller comprises a double-pole double-throw relay.

7. The solar generation unit of claim 1, further comprising a bypass circuit configured to connect a positive terminal of the string bus to a negative terminal of the string bus when the discharge controller disconnects the solar cells of the solar module from the string bus.

8. The solar generation unit of claim 1, further comprising a voltage provider configured to increase a voltage potential between the grounded frame and the solar cells of the solar module.

9. The solar generation unit of claim 1, further comprising a voltage provider configured to create a negative voltage potential between the grounded frame and the solar cells of the solar module.

10. The solar generation unit of claim 1, further configured to connect an n-type region of the solar cells of the solar module to the grounded frame.

11. The solar generation unit of claim 1, further configured to connect a p-type region of the solar cells of the solar module to the grounded frame.

12. A method comprising:

disconnecting a string bus from solar cells of a solar module;

connecting the solar cells of the solar module to a frame of the solar module; and

connecting the solar cells of the solar module to ground.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting a positive terminal and negative terminal of the string bus when the string bus is disconnected from the solar cells of the solar module.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising increasing a voltage potential between the frame of the solar module and the solar cells of the solar module.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising creating a negative voltage potential between the frame of the solar module and the solar cells of the solar module.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the ground is connected to the frame of the solar module.

17. A discharge controller comprising:

a positive solar module terminal and a negative solar module terminal, both configured to connect to a solar module;

a positive string bus terminal and a negative string bus terminal, both configured to connect to a string bus;

a grounded frame terminal configured to connect to a grounded frame of the solar module;

a first switchable connection between the negative solar module terminal and the negative string bus terminal, and configured to;

disconnect the negative solar module terminal from the negative string bus terminal; and

connect the negative solar module terminal to the grounded frame terminal; and

a second switchable connection between the positive solar module terminal and the positive string bus terminal, and configured to;

disconnect the positive solar module terminal from the positive string bus terminal; and

connect the positive solar module terminal to the grounded frame terminal.

18. The discharge controller of claim 17, further comprising a bypass circuit configured to connect the positive string bus terminal to the negative string bus terminal when the negative solar module terminal is disconnected from the negative string bus terminal.

19. The discharge controller of claim 17, further comprising a bypass circuit configured to connect the positive string bus terminal to the negative string bus terminal when the positive solar module terminal is disconnected from the positive string bus terminal.

20. The discharge controller of claim 17, further comprising a voltage provider configured to alter the voltage potential between the grounded frame terminal and the solar cells.