Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources
First Claim
1. A photovoltaic panel comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic sub-strings each including serially-connected photovoltaic cells, wherein the plurality of photovoltaic sub-strings are connected in parallel across power source terminals;
a direct current power converter including input terminals connected to said power source terminals, wherein the direct current power converter is configured to convert input power received at said input terminals to an output power at output terminals; and
a bypass diode connected in shunt across said input terminals of said converter.
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Abstract
A photovoltaic panel with multiple photovoltaic sub-strings including serially-connected photovoltaic cells and having direct current (DC) outputs adapted for interconnection in parallel into a parallel-connected DC power source. A direct current (DC) power converter including input terminals and output terminals is adapted for coupling to the parallel-connected DC power source and for converting an input power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. The direct current (DC) power converter optionally has a control loop configured to set the input power received at the input terminals according to a previously determined criterion. The control loop may be adapted to receive a feedback signal from the input terminals for maximizing the input power. A bypass diode is typically connected in shunt across the input terminals of the converter. The bypass diode functions by passing current during a failure of any of the sub-strings and/or a partial shading of the sub-strings. The bypass diode may be a single bypass diode connected across the parallel-connected DC power source. The DC power converter may convert the input power at high current to the output power at a lower current. The output terminals may be connectible with wire cables to a load, and the DC power converter is configured to reduce energy loss through the wire cables to the load.
929 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic panel comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic sub-strings each including serially-connected photovoltaic cells, wherein the plurality of photovoltaic sub-strings are connected in parallel across power source terminals; a direct current power converter including input terminals connected to said power source terminals, wherein the direct current power converter is configured to convert input power received at said input terminals to an output power at output terminals; and a bypass diode connected in shunt across said input terminals of said converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A distributed power harvesting system comprising:
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a photovoltaic panel having a plurality of photovoltaic sub-strings each including serially-connected photovoltaic cells, wherein said plurality of photovoltaic sub-strings are connected in parallel to parallel-connected DC power source terminals; a power converter with input terminals connected to said parallel-connected DC power source terminals; and a bypass diode connected across said parallel-connected DC power source terminals. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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connecting a plurality of photovoltaic sub-strings in parallel to parallel-connected DC power source terminals, wherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic sub-strings comprises serially-connected photovoltaic cells; attaching input terminals of a power converter to the parallel-connected DC power source terminals; and attaching a single bypass diode across said parallel-connected DC power source terminals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification