Solar power generation circuit including bypass diodes connected in parallel to groups of series connected solar cells

• US 6,225,793 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2000
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schott Solar GmbH
• Original Assignee: Angewandte Solarenergie--Ase GmbH
• Inventors: Dickmann, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): STERRETT, JEFFREY L
• Application Number:
  US09/545,328
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 323/229, 323/230, 323/231, 323/906
• US Class Current: 323/230
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/044 including bypass diodes bypass diodes in the junction box H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/906 Solar cell systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for power generation with solar cells (10 to 32). The solar cells are connected in series and in strings (34 to 44) each of several cells. A bypass diode (50 to 60) is connected in parallel to each string (34 to 44). Further diodes (64 to 70) are connected in parallel to two and/or more bypass diodes of series-connected strings. With this arrangement, the number of current-carrying diodes is considerably reduced when any strings are in shade.

Claims

1. A circuit arrangement for power generation from solar cells comprising:

a plurality of series connected strings (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44), each having a plurality of series connected solar cells (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32);

a plurality of bypass diodes (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60) connected in parallel respectively to each of the plurality of strings; and

,

a plurality of diodes (64, 66, 68, 70) connected in parallel to at least two of the bypass diodes.

2. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the bypass diodes (50, 52, 54; 52, 54, 56;

54, 56, 58;

56, 58, 60) of three series-connected strings (34, 36, 38;

36, 38, 40;

38, 40, 42;

40, 42, 44) respectively or three series-connected strings of solar cells (10-32) are connected in parallel to a diode (64;

66;

68;

70) respectively .

3. Circuit arrangement according to claim 2, wherein

the printed circuit board (80) with the bypass diodes (50 to 60) and the diodes (64 to 70) connected in parallel to them are arranged in a plastic housing (78).

4. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the bypass diodes (50 to 60) and the diodes (64 to 70) connected in parallel to them are preferably Schottky diodes.

5. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein

the bypass diodes (50 to 60) and the diodes (64 to 70) parallel thereto for two or more strings (34 to 44) of solar cells are arranged on one side of a printed circuit board (80), and on the other side printed conductors (82, 86, 90, 94, 100, 102, 104) with connection points (80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 98, 102, 106) for external lines and with plated-through holes for connections of the bypass diodes (50 to 60) are provided, and wherein metal surfaces as contact faces for the bypass diodes (50 to 60) and the diodes (64 to 70) are provided on the surface of the printed circuit board (80).