DISTRIBUTED MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING SYSTEM, STRUCTURE AND PROCESS
First Claim
1. A power generation system, comprising:
- a server;
a plurality of power panels, each comprisinga control module comprising input connections, output connections, a signal processing circuit connected to the input connections and to the output connections, and a controller connected to the signal processing circuit,a plurality of DC power cells connected to the input connections of the control module;
at least one inverter having input DC terminals, output AC terminals, and an inverter circuit connected to the input DC terminals and output AC terminals; and
communications links between the server and the controllers;
wherein the DC output of one or more of the power panels is controllably adjustable in response to input signals sent from the server and received at the control modules over the communications links.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Distributed maximum power point tracking systems, structures, and processes are provided for power generation structures, such as for but not limited to a solar panel arrays. In an exemplary solar panel string structure, distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) modules are provided, such as integrated into or retrofitted for each solar panel. The DMPPT modules provide panel level control for startup, operation, monitoring, and shutdown, and further provide flexible design and operation for strings of multiple panels. The strings are typically linked in parallel to a combiner box, and then toward and enhanced inverter module, which is typically connected to a power grid. Enhanced inverters are controllable either locally or remotely, wherein system status is readily determined, and operation of one or more sections of the system are readily controlled. The system provides increased operation time, and increased power production and efficiency, over a wide range of operating conditions.
155 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A power generation system, comprising:
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a server; a plurality of power panels, each comprising a control module comprising input connections, output connections, a signal processing circuit connected to the input connections and to the output connections, and a controller connected to the signal processing circuit, a plurality of DC power cells connected to the input connections of the control module; at least one inverter having input DC terminals, output AC terminals, and an inverter circuit connected to the input DC terminals and output AC terminals; and communications links between the server and the controllers; wherein the DC output of one or more of the power panels is controllably adjustable in response to input signals sent from the server and received at the control modules over the communications links. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power generation process, comprising the steps of:
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providing a server; providing a plurality of power panels, each comprising a control module comprising input connections, output connections, a signal processing circuit connected to the input connections and to the output connections, and a controller connected to the signal processing circuit, a plurality of DC power cells connected to the input connections of the control module; providing at least one inverter having input DC terminals, output AC terminals, and an inverter circuit connected to the input DC terminals and output AC terminals; and providing communications links between the server and the controllers; sending input signals from the server to the control modules over the communications links; and controllably adjusting the DC output of one or more of the power panels in response to the input signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus, comprising:
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a direct current (DC) input bus connectable to a DC voltage source; an output direct current (DC) voltage bus connectable to a combiner, the combiner being connectable to an output direct current (DC) voltage bus from at least one other DC voltage source; a signal processing circuit connected to the input DC bus and the output DC bus; a controller connected to the signal processing circuit and having a communications interface; means for sending and receiving signals over the communications interface, wherein one of the signals is sendable from the controller over the communications interface to a server and corresponds to the output voltage of the signal processing circuit; and means for increasing the efficiency of an array comprised of the DC voltage source and the at least one other DC voltage source, by controllably varying the output DC voltage of the apparatus in response to a control signal received from the server over the communications interface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus, comprising:
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a direct current (DC) input bus connectable to a DC voltage source; an output direct current (DC) voltage bus connectable to a combiner, the combiner being connectable to an output direct current (DC) voltage bus from at least one other DC voltage source; a signal processing circuit connected to the input DC bus and the output DC bus; a controller connected to the signal processing circuit and having a communications interface; and means for sending and receiving signals over the communications interface, wherein at least one output signal is sendable from the controller over the communications interface to a server and corresponds to the output voltage of the signal processing circuit, and wherein at least one input signal is receivable at the controller, wherein the input signal comprises a control signal for a string comprising the DC voltage source and the at least one other DC voltage source, such that the DC voltage source is controllably adjustable in response to the control signal and to local values of any of voltage, current or temperature, to provide any of increased total power output of the string or decreasing mismatch between the power panels of the string. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification