US20120104864A1 - AC Power Systems for Renewable Electrical Energy - Google Patents
AC Power Systems for Renewable Electrical Energy Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120104864A1 US20120104864A1 US13/346,532 US201213346532A US2012104864A1 US 20120104864 A1 US20120104864 A1 US 20120104864A1 US 201213346532 A US201213346532 A US 201213346532A US 2012104864 A1 US2012104864 A1 US 2012104864A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- inverter
- photovoltaic
- power
- control circuitry
- electrical energy
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
- H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
- H02J3/381—Dispersed generators
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
- H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
- H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
- H02J3/388—Islanding, i.e. disconnection of local power supply from the network
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J2300/00—Systems for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by decentralized, dispersed, or local generation
- H02J2300/20—The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
- H02J2300/22—The renewable source being solar energy
- H02J2300/24—The renewable source being solar energy of photovoltaic origin
- H02J2300/26—The renewable source being solar energy of photovoltaic origin involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
- H02M1/0067—Converter structures employing plural converter units, other than for parallel operation of the units on a single load
- H02M1/0077—Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/56—Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E40/00—Technologies for an efficient electrical power generation, transmission or distribution
- Y02E40/70—Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P80/00—Climate change mitigation technologies for sector-wide applications
- Y02P80/20—Climate change mitigation technologies for sector-wide applications using renewable energy
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
- Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
- Y04S10/00—Systems supporting electrical power generation, transmission or distribution
- Y04S10/12—Monitoring or controlling equipment for energy generation units, e.g. distributed energy generation [DER] or load-side generation
- Y04S10/123—Monitoring or controlling equipment for energy generation units, e.g. distributed energy generation [DER] or load-side generation the energy generation units being or involving renewable energy sources
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S136/00—Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
- Y10S136/291—Applications
- Y10S136/293—Circuits
Definitions
- This invention relates to the technical field of alternative energy, specifically, methods and apparatus for creating electrical power from some type of alternative energy source to make it available for use in a variety of applications.
- the invention provides techniques and circuitry that can be used to harvest power at high efficiency from an alternative energy source such as a solar panel, or a sea of strings of panels so that this power can be provided for AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid or the like.
- the present invention addresses an important aspect of this in a manner that significantly increases the ability to cost-effectively permit solar power to be electrically harnessed so that an AC output may be a cost-effective source of electrical power whether it be provided for internal use or for public comsumption, such as feedback to a grid or the like.
- solar cells These devices create a photovoltaic DC current through the photovoltaic effect.
- solar cells are linked together electrically to make a combination of cells into a solar panel or a PV (photovoltaic) panel.
- PV panels are often connected in series to provide high voltage at a reasonable current. Voltage, current, and power levels may be provided at an individual domestic level, such as for an individual house or the like.
- large arrays of many, many panels may be combined in a sea of panels to create significant, perhaps megawatt outputs to public benefit perhaps as an alternative to creating a new coal burning power plant, a new nuclear power plant, or the like.
- the output (perhaps of a solar cell or a solar panel, or even combinations thereof) is then converted to make the electrical power most usable since the power converters often employed can use high voltage input more effectively.
- This converted output is then often inverted to provide an AC output as generally exists in more dispersed power systems whether at an individual domestic or even a public level.
- MPPT maximum power point tracking
- solar cells historically have been made from semiconductors such as silicon pn junctions. These junctions or diodes convert sunlight into electrical power. These diodes can have a characteristically low voltage output, often on the order of 0.6 volts. Such cells may behave like current sources in parallel with a forward diode. The output current from such a cell may be a function of many construction factors and, is often directly proportional to the amount of sunlight. The low voltage of such a solar cell can be difficult to convert to power suitable for supplying power to an electric power grid. Often, many diodes are connected in series on a photovoltaic panel.
- a possible configuration could have 36 diodes or panels connected in series to make 21.6 volts. With the shunt diode and interconnect losses in practice such panels might only generate 15 volts at their maximum power point (MPP). For some larger systems having many such panels, even 15 volts may be too low to deliver over a wire without substantial losses.
- typical systems today may combine many panels in series to provide voltages in the 100's of volts in order to minimize the conduction loss between the PV panels and a power converter. Electrically, however, there can be challenges to finding the right input impedance for a converter to extract the maximum power from such a string of PV panels. Naturally, the input usually influences the output.
- Input variances can be magnified because, the PV panels usually act as current sources and the panel producing the lowest current can sometimes limit the current through the whole string. In some undesirable situations, weak panels can become back biased by the remainder of the panels. Although reverse diodes can be placed across each panel to limit the power loss in this case and to protect the panel from reverse breakdown, there still can be significant variances in the converted output and thus the inverted input.
- problems can arise due to: non-uniformity between panels, partial shade of individual panels, dirt or accumulated matter blocking sunlight on a panel, damage to a panel, and even non-uniform degradation of panels over time to name at least some aspects. These can all be considered as contributing to the perception that a varying inverted input was at least practically inevitable.
- Another less understood problem with large series strings of PV panels may be with highly varying output voltage, the inverter stage driving the grid my need to operate over a very wide range also lowering its efficiency. It may also be a problem if during periods of time when the inverter section is not powering the grid that the input voltage to this stage may increase above regulatory limits. Or conversely, if the voltage during this time is not over a regulatory limit then the final operational voltage may be much lower than the ideal point of efficiency for the inverter. In addition, there may be start-up and protection issues which add significant cost to the overall power conversion process. Other less obvious issues affecting Balance of System (BOS) costs for a solar power installation are also involved. Thus, what at least one aspect of electrical solar power needs is an improvement in efficiency in the conversion stage of the electrical system. The present invention provides this needed improvement.
- BOS Balance of System
- the invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways.
- the following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments.
- the variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.
- the present invention discloses achievements, systems, and different initial exemplary control functionalities through which one may achieve some of the goals of the present invention.
- Systems provide for inverter controlled systems of photovoltaic conversion, high efficiency renewable energy creation, inverter protection designs, and even dynamically reactive conversion systems.
- Some architectures may combine a PV panel with MPP and even a dual mode power conversion circuitry to make what may be referred to as a Power Conditioner (PC) element.
- Converters may have a topology such as the initial examples shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B ; these are discussed in more detail in the priority applications.
- the Power Conditioners may be combined in series or parallel or any combination of series/parallel strings and even seas of panels that largely or even always produce their full output. Even differing types of panels, differing types of converters, and differing types of inverters may be combined.
- this invention may permit in inverter to produce its maximum power thereby harvesting more total energy from the overall system. Interestingly, this may exist even while a converter alters its acceptance of alternative power to maintain an MPP.
- Embodiments may be configured so that the output may be a higher voltage AC output (for example, 400V or more). Additionally, configurations may allow for an easy to administer inverter protection, perhaps even with or without feedback elements.
- FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a conversion system according to one embodiment of the invention for a single representative solar source.
- FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a sea of interconnected strings of panels according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 shows a plot of a current and voltage relationship for a representative solar panel.
- FIG. 4 shows a plot of a power and voltage relationship for a similar panel.
- FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention with series connected panels and a single grid-tied inverter configuration.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B show plots of solar panel output operational conditions for differing temperatures and output paradigms.
- FIG. 7 shows a plot of converter losses by topology and range for a traditional approach considered for a converter element as may be used in embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 shows a plot of combined sweet spot, protective, and coordinated process conditions according to one operational embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 9 shows a prior art system with a grid-tied inverter.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B show two types of dual mode power conversion circuits such as might be used in embodiments of the invention.
- the invention discloses a variety of aspects that may be considered independently or in combination with others.
- Initial understanding begins with the fact that one embodiment of a renewable electrical energy AC power system according to the present invention may combine any of the following concepts and circuits including: an inverter controlled system to at least some extent, a maximal efficiency inverter operational capability, a protected inverter alternative AC energy system, a dynamically reactive photovoltaic system, and an engineered code compliant alternative energy system.
- Aspects may include a very high efficiency photovoltaic converter, a multimodal photovoltaic converter, slaved systems, and even output voltage and/or output current protected system.
- Some initial benefits of each of these aspects are discussed individually and in combination in the following discussion as well as how each represents a class of topologies, rather than just those initially disclosed.
- FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a renewable electrical energy power system illustrating the basic conversion and inversion principles of the present invention. As shown, it involves an alternative electrical energy source ( 1 ) (here indicated by nomenclature as a solar energy source) feeding into a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) providing a converted output to a DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) that may perhaps ultimately interface with a grid ( 10 ).
- the alternative electrical energy source ( 1 ) may be a solar cell, a solar panel, or perhaps even a string of panels. Regardless, the alternative electrical energy source ( 1 ) may create an output such as a DC photovoltaic output ( 2 ).
- This DC photovoltaic output ( 2 ) may be established as a DC photovoltaic input ( 3 ) to the DC-DC power converter ( 4 ).
- the DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) may create an output such as a DC photovoltaic output ( 6 ).
- This DC photovoltaic output ( 6 ), or more generally photovoltaic DC converter output, may be established as an inverter input ( 29 ) to the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ).
- the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) may act to invert the converted DC and create an AC output such as a photovoltaic AC power output ( 30 ) which may be be established an an input to a grid ( 10 ), a domestic electrical system, or both, or some other power consuming device or thing.
- the DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) may have its operation controlled by a capability generally indicated as converter functionality control circuitry ( 8 ).
- this converter functionality control circuitry ( 8 ) may be embodied as true circuitry hardware or it may be firmware or even software to accomplish the desired control and would still fall within the meaning of a converter functionality control circuitry ( 8 ).
- the DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) should be considered to represent photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion circuitry. In this regard it is likely that hardware circuitry is necessary, however combinations of hardware, firmware, and software should still be understood as encompassed by the circuitry term.
- the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) may also have its operation controlled by inverter control circuitry ( 38 ) that likewise may be embodied as true circuitry hardware or it may be firmware or even software to accomplish the desired control and would still fall within the meaning of an inverter controlling step or an inverter control circuitry ( 38 ).
- the various elements may be connected to each other.
- Direct connection is but one manner in which the various elements may be responsive to each other, that is, some effect in one may directly or indirectly cause an effect or change in another.
- effects can occur and responsiveness can exist even without the connection.
- no such direct connection is used as the effect can be cause even without such a connection.
- the DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) may act to convert its input and thus provide a converted DC photovoltaic output ( 6 ) which may serve as an input to the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) which may be of a variety of designs.
- This DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) may serve as one way to accomplish the step of inverting the DC power into an inverted AC ( 7 ) such as a photovoltaic AC power output ( 7 ) that can be used by, for example, a power grid ( 10 ) through some connection termed an AC power grid interface ( 9 ).
- the system may create a DC photovoltaic output ( 6 ) which may be established as an input to some type of DC-AC inverter ( 5 ).
- This step of inverting an input should be understood as encompassing and creation of any substantially alternating signal from any substantially unidirectional current flow signal even if that signal is not itself perfectly, or even substantially, steady.
- individual alternative electrical energy sources ( 1 ) may be combined to create a series of electrically connected sources. Such combinations may be responsive through either series or parallel connections.
- the connected plurality may form a string of electrically connected items, perhaps such as a string of electrically connected solar panels ( 11 ).
- each of these strings may themselves be a component to a much larger combination perhaps forming a photovoltaic array ( 12 ) or even a sea of combined solar energy sources.
- certain of these cells, panels, or strings may be adjacent in that they may be exposed to somewhat similar electrical, mechanical, environmental, solar exposure (or insolative) conditions.
- FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate embodiments that are connected to accomplish serially combining or serially connecting items such as the converted DC photovoltaic outputs ( 6 ) to create a converted DC photovoltaic input to a DC-AC inverter ( 5 ).
- these serial connections may be of the converted DC photovoltaic outputs ( 6 ) which may then create a converted DC photovoltaic output ( 13 ) which may serve as a converted DC photovoltaic input ( 14 ) to some type of photovoltaic DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) or other load.
- each alternative electrical energy source ( 1 ) may be a solar source such as at the cell, panel, string, or even array level.
- parallel connections and the step of parallel connecting converters or their outputs could be accomplished as well.
- circuitry and systems can be configured to extract as much power as possible from an alternative electrical energy source ( 1 ); this is especially applicable for a solar power source or sources where insolation can be variable from source to even adjacent source. Electrically, this may be accomplished by achieving operation to operate at one or more solar cell, panel, or string's maximum power point (MPP) by MPP circuitry or maximum power point tracking (MPPT).
- MPP maximum power point
- MPPT maximum power point tracking
- a solar power system according to the invention may include an MPPT control circuit with a power conversion circuit. It may even include range limiting circuitry as discussed later.
- the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) circuit may be configured to find the optimum point for extracting power from a given panel or other alternative electrical energy source ( 1 ).
- a panel such as may be measured in a laboratory may exhibit the voltage and current relationships indicated in FIG. 3 .
- Current in Amps is on the vertical axis.
- Voltage in volts is on the horizontal axis. If one multiplies the voltage times the current to derive power this is shown in FIG. 4 .
- Power is now on the vertical axis.
- the goal of an embodiment of an MPPT circuit as used here may be to apply an appropriate condition to a panel such that the panel may operate to provide its peak power.
- the maximum power point on this panel under the measurement conditions occurs when the panel produces approximately 15 volts and 8 amperes.
- This may be determined by a maximum photovoltaic power point converter functionality control circuitry ( 15 ) which may even be part or all of the modality of operation of the converter functionality control circuitry ( 8 ).
- the converter or the step of converting may provide a maximum photovoltaic power point modality of photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion or the step of maximum photovoltaic power point converting. This may be accomplished by switching and perhaps also by duty cycle switching at the converter or even inverter level and as such the system may accomplish maximum photovoltaic power point duty cycle switching or the step of maximum photovoltaic voltage determinatively duty cycle switching.
- an analog circuit could be configured to take advantage of existing ripple voltage on the panel.
- V′ panel voltage and its first derivative
- P′ panel power and its first derivative
- a power conditioner may include power calculation circuitry, firmware, or software ( 21 ) which may even be photovoltaic multiplicative resultant circuitry ( 22 ). These circuitries may act to effect a result or respond to an item which is analogous to (even if not the precise mathematical resultant of a V*I multiplication function) a power indication.
- This may of course be a V*I type of calculation of some power parameters and the system may react to either raise or lower itself in some way to ultimately move closer to and eventually achieve operation at an MPP level.
- FIG. 9 illustrates one type of photovoltaic DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) that may be used.
- the inverter may have its input controlled at an optimal level.
- a separate control input could be used so that the input voltage is at a most optimal level, perhaps such as a singular sweet spot or the like as illustrated by the bold vertical line in FIG. 8 .
- this may be accomplished by the present invention in a manner that is independent of the MPP level at which the converter operates.
- the inverter may be connected to some type of AC power grid interface ( 9 ).
- inventions of the present invention may involve having the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) control the output of the DC-DC converter ( 4 ). As mentioned in more detail below, this may be accomplished by duty cycle switching the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) perhaps through operation of the inverter control circuitry ( 38 ). This duty cycle switching can act to cause the output of the DC-DC converter ( 4 ) (which itself may have its own operation duty cycle switched to achieve MPP operation) to alter by load or otherwise so that it is at precisely the level the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) wants.
- this may be achieved by a direct control input or, for preferred embodiments of the invention may be achieved by simply alter an effect until the converter's DC photovoltaic output ( 6 ) and thus the inverter input ( 29 ) are as desired.
- This can be considered as one manner of photovoltaic inverter sourced converting within such a system.
- a control may be considered inverter sourced or derived from conditions or functions or circuitry associated with the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) and thus embodiments of the invention may include inverter sourced photovoltaic power conversion output control circuitry within or associated with the inverter control circuitry ( 38 ).
- an important aspect of the above control paradigm can be the operation of the inverter to control its own input at an optimal level.
- inverter often have a level of voltage input at which the inverter achieves its inverting most efficiently. This is often referred to as the inverter input sweet spot and it is often associated with a specific voltage level for a specific inverter.
- embodiments may even provide a set point or perhaps substantially constant voltage output as the inverter input ( 29 ) and thus embodiments may have a substantially constant power conversion voltage output or may also achieve the step of substantially constant voltage output controlling of the operation of the system.
- An inverter voltage input set point may be so established, and embodiments may include inverter voltage input set point converter output voltage control circuitry to manage the step of inverter voltage input set point controlling of the operation of the system.
- a surprising aspect of embodiments of the invention may be the fact that inverter input may be maintained independent of and even without regard to a separately maintained MPP level of operation.
- inverter optimum input can exist while simultaneously maintaining MPP level of conversion functionality.
- embodiments can include independent inverter operating condition converter output control circuitry or the step of independently controlling an inverter operating condition perhaps through the photovoltaic DC-DC converter or the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ). As mentioned aboe in embodiments, this can be achieved through duty cycle switching of both the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) and the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ). In this manner, embodiments may include the step of maximum power point independently controlling the inverter input voltage.
- systems may have solar panel maximum power point independent inverter input voltage control circuitry ( 38 ).
- This circuitry may be configured for an optimal level and thus embodiment may have solar panel maximum power point independent inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry.
- An aspect of operational capability that afford advantage is the capability of embodiments of the invention to accommodate differing operating conditions for various solar sources or panels.
- voltages of operation for maximum power point can vary based upon not just changes in insolation but also whether the solar source is experiencing hot or cold temperature conditions.
- embodiments according to the invention may provide expansive panel capability. This may even be such that the converter is effectively a full photovoltaic temperature voltage operating range photovoltaic DC-DC power converter whereby it can operate at MPP voltages as high as that for the MPP in a cold temperature of operation as well as the MPP voltages as low as that for the MPP in a hot temperature of operation.
- systems can provide solar energy source open circuit cold voltage determinative switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry and solar energy source maximum power point hot voltage determinative switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry. It can even achieve full photovoltaic temperature voltage operating range converting. This may be accomplished through proper operation of the switch duty cycles and systems may thus provide solar energy source open circuit cold voltage determinatively duty cycle switching and solar energy source maximum power point hot voltage determinatively duty cycle switching.
- insolation variable adaptive photovoltaic converter control circuitry that can extract MPP—even while maintaining an optimal inverter input—whether a panel is partially shaded, even if relative to an adjacent panel.
- Systems and their duty cycle switching may be adaptable to the amount of insolation and so the step of converting may be accomplished as insolation variably adaptively converting. This can be significant in newer technology panels such as cadmium-telluride solar panels and especially when combining outputs from a string of cadmium-telluride solar panels which can have broader operating voltages.
- Such operation can be at levels of from 97, 97.5, 98, 98.5 up to either 99.2 or essentially the wire transmission loss efficiency (which can be considered the highest possible).
- such embodiments can be considered as having substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic inverter duty cycle control circuitry or as providing the step of substantially power isomorphically duty cycle switching the photovoltaic DC-AC inverter.
- the ability to set a constant input regardless of MPP needs allows the inverter controller to optimize the input for the inverter and so serve as inverter efficiency optimized converter control circuitry or provide the step of inverter efficiency optimization controlling of the operation of the system.
- the system can be understood as including inverter sweet spot control circuitry or even as inverter sweet spot converter control circuitry ( 46 ) when this is accomplished through the converter's output.
- inverter sweet spot control circuitry can be slaved inverter sweet spot control circuitry or as providing the step of slavedly controlling sweet spot operation of the photovoltaic DC-AC inverter.
- Such embodiments may include a parallel capacitance and a series inductance. These may be used to store energy at least some times in the operation of converting. It may even be considered that full energy conversion is not accomplished, only the amount of conversion necessary to achieve the desired result.
- each power conditioner (PC) ( 17 ) output may be the same but the output voltage of each PC may be proportional to the amount of power its panel makes together with an MPP per panel capability.
- PC power conditioner
- FIG. 5 Examine the circuit of FIG. 5 and compare it to panels simply connected in series (keep in mind that the simple series connection may have a reverse diode across it). First, assume there are four panels in series each producing 100 volts and 1 amp feeding an inverter with its input set to 400 volts. This gives 400 watts output using either approach.
- three of the panels may have 105.3 volts and one may have 84.2 volts.
- a power block may be considered as a group of PV panels with power conversion and MPP per panel configurations. As such they may adapt their output as needed to always maintain maximum power from each and every power block.
- the three panels may have a voltage of 114.2 volts and the remaining one may have half as much, or 57.1 volts.
- the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) can be coordinated with the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ).
- Embodiments can have inverter coordinated photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry ( 45 ) or can provide the step of inverter coordinated converting or inverter coordinated controlling of the operations. As mentioned this can be direct or indirect. As shown in FIG. 1 , there could be a direct connection from the inverter control circuitry ( 38 ) to the converter functionality control circuitry ( 8 ), however, in preferred embodiments, no such direct connection may be needed.
- the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) can cause the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ) to alter its operation as it simply tries to maintain its duty cycle to maintain MPP.
- This indirect control is still considered as providing photovoltaic converter output control circuitry, and even more specifically, as providing photovoltaic converter output voltage control circuitry ( 32 ) because it causes the step of controlling a photovoltaic DC-DC converter output (also referred to as the DC photovoltaic output ( 2 )) of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ), and even more specifically, as providing the step of controlling a photovoltaic DC-DC converter voltage output of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ).
- the dual mode circuit (described in more detail in the priority applications) could go to infinite output voltage if there were no load present. This situation can actually occur frequently.
- the power conditioner ( 17 ) might in practical terms increase its output voltage until the inverter would break.
- the inverter could have overvoltage protection on its input adding additional power conversion components or, the power conditioner may simply have its own internal output voltage limit.
- each power conditioner ( 17 ) could only produce 100 volts maximum and there was a string of ten PCs in series the maximum output voltage would be 1000 volts.
- This output voltage limit could make the grid-tied inverter less complex or costly and is illustrated in FIG. 6A as a preset overvoltage limit.
- embodiments can present maximum voltage determinative switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry and maximum photovoltaic voltage determinative duty cycle switching (as shown in FIG. 6A as the preset overvoltage limit). This can be inverter specific and so an additional aspect of embodiments of the invention can be the inclusion of inverter protection schemes.
- Embodiments of the present invention can account for these aspects as well and may even provide this through the DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) and/or the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) thus including inverter protection photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry ( 33 ) at either or both levels.
- embodiments can provide the steps of providing photovoltaic inverter protection power conversion control and even controlling a limited photovoltaic converter current output through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ). These may be configured with consideration of maximum inverter inputs and converter outputs so there can be included maximum inverter input converter output control circuitry ( 37 ), maximum inverter voltage determinative switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry, or also the step of controlling a maximum inverter input converter output.
- slaved photovoltaic power control circuitry 34
- such slaved photovoltaic power control circuitry ( 34 ) can be provided at either the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ), the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ), or both, or elsewhere.
- These can include converter current output limited photovoltaic power control circuitry, converter voltage output limited photovoltaic power control circuitry, or the like.
- embodiments can have slaved photovoltaic inverter protection control circuitry, or more specifically, slaved photovoltaic current level control circuitry or slaved photovoltaic voltage level control circuitry, or may provide the steps of slavedly providing photovoltaic inverter protection control of the photovoltaic DC-AC inverter ( 5 ), slavedly controlling current from the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ), or the like.
- system may more generally be considered as including photovoltaic boundary condition power conversion control circuitry and as providing the step of photovoltaic boundary condition power conversion control.
- boundary conditions may be set such as the overcurrent limit and the overvoltage limit.
- the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ), the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ), and/or either or both of their control circuitries may serve as photovoltaic boundary condition converter functionality control circuitry, may achieve a photovoltaic boundary condition modality of photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion, and may accomplish the step of controlling a photovoltaic boundary condition of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter.
- inventions can present maximum photovoltaic inverter current converter functionality control circuitry, inverter maximum current determinative switching, photovoltaic inverter maximum current determinative duty cycle switch control circuitry, and photovoltaic inverter maximum current determinatively duty cycle switching or the like.
- embodiments may include photovoltaic inverter operating condition converter functionality control circuitry.
- embodiments may also be embodiments that have small output voltage (even within an allowed output voltage range). This may accommodate an inverter with a small energy storage capacitor. The output voltage may even be coordinated with an inverter's energy storage capability.
- certain aspect may be slaved to (subservient) or may slave other aspects (dominant).
- One possible goal in switching for some embodiments may include the maximum power point operation and sweet spot operational characteristics discussed above as well as a number of modalities as discussed below. Some of these modalities may even be slaved such that one takes precedence of one or another at some point in time, in some power regime, or perhaps based on some power parameter to achieve a variety of modalities of operation.
- DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) there may be more generally the slaved photovoltaic power control circuitry ( 34 ) mentioned above, slaved inverter operating condition control circuitry, slaved photovoltaic voltage level control circuitry and even the steps of slavedly controlling voltage from the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ) or slavedly controlling operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ).
- Another aspect of some embodiments of the invention can be protection or operation of components or the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) so as to address abrupt changes in condition. This can be accomplished through the inclusion of soft transition photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry ( 35 ) or the step of softly transitioning a photovoltaic electrical parameter or more specifically even softly transitioning a converted photovoltaic power level electrical parameter.
- another mode of operation may be to make a value proportional (in its broadest sense) to some other aspect. For example, there can be advantages to making voltage proportional to current such as to provide soft start capability or the like.
- embodiments may be configured for controlling a maximum photovoltaic output voltage proportional to a photovoltaic output current at least some times during the process of converting a DC input to a DC output.
- this may provide soft transition photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry ( 35 ).
- embodiments can include ramped photovoltaic current power conversion control circuitry, ramped photovoltaic voltage power conversion control circuitry, or the steps of ramping (which be linear or may have any other shape) a photovoltaic current level, ramping a photovoltaic voltage level, or the like.
- One of the many ways in which such soft transition can be accomplished can be by making one parameter proportional to another.
- embodiments can include photovoltaic output voltage-photovoltaic output current proportional control circuitry ( 39 ) or can provide the step of controlling a photovoltaic output voltage proportional to a photovoltaic output current.
- embodiments of the system may include duty cycle control or switch operation that can be conducted so as to achieve one or more proportionalities between parameters perhaps such as the initial examples of maximum voltage output and current output or the like. Further, not only can any of the above by combined with any other of the above, but each may be provided in a slaved manner such that consideration of one modality is secondary to or dominant over that of another modality.
- one technique of some control activities can be through the use of duty cycle switching or the like. Switches on either or both of the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) or the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ) can be controlled in a variable duty cycle mode of operation such that frequency of switching alters to achieve the desired facet.
- the converter functionality control circuitry ( 8 ) perhaps providing the step of maximum photovoltaic power point duty cycle switching of a photovoltaic DC-DC converter, or the inverter control circuitry ( 38 ) may serve as photovoltaic duty cycle switch control circuitry.
- the duty cycle operations and switching can achieve a variety of results, from serving as photovoltaic transformation duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic impedance transformation duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic input control duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic output duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic voltage duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic current duty cycle switching, to soft transition duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic optimization duty cycle switching, to other operations.
- the photovoltaic inverter duty cycle switch control circuitry ( 31 ) may even act to provide the step of maximum photovoltaic voltage determinatively duty cycle switching the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ).
- a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) may include modes of increasing and, perhaps alternatively, decreasing photovoltaic load impedance, the output, or otherwise.
- Systems according to embodiments of the invention may combine inverter aspects with a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) that serves as a multimodal photovoltaic DC-DC power converter perhaps controlled by multimodal converter functionality control circuitry ( 26 ) in that it has more than one mode of operation.
- These modes may include, but should be understood as not limited to, photovoltaic output increasing and photovoltaic output decreasing, among others.
- the aspect of multimodal activity encompasses at least processes where only one mode of conversion occurs at any one time.
- a power conditioner ( 17 ) may provide at least first modality and second modality photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion circuitry, DC-DC power converter, or DC-DC power conversion in conjunction with the inverter capabilities discussed herein.
- the system may accomplish the step of multimodally operating.
- the system may accomplish the step of multimodally controlling operation of a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) or a DC-AC inverter ( 5 ).
- Embodiments may include a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) that has even two or more modes of operation and thus may be considered a dual mode power conversion circuit or dual mode converter.
- the dual mode nature of this circuit may embody a significant benefit and another distinction may be that most DC/DC converters are often intended to take an unregulated source and produce a regulated output.
- the input to the DC/DC converter is regulated either up or down—and in a highly efficient manner—to be at the PV panel MPP.
- the dual mode nature of the converter may also serve to facilitate an effect caused by the inverter's operation even without a direct connection. Of course, such modes of operation can be adapted for application with respect to the inverter's duty cycle switching as well.
- the PCs and photovoltaic DC-DC power converters ( 4 ) may handle individual panels. They may be attached to a panel, to a frame, or separate. Embodiments may have converters physically integral to such panels in the sense that they are provided as one attached unit for ultimate installation. This can be desirable such as when there are independent operating conditions for separate solar sources, and even adjacent solar sources to accommodate variations in insolation, condition, or otherwise. Each panel or the like may achieve its own MPP, and may coordinate protection with all others in a string or the like.
- systems can include an aspect of reacting to operational conditions to which elements are subjected. This can occur in a dynamic fashion so that as one condition changes, nearly instantly a reaction to control appropriately is caused. They can also react to installation conditions and can react to the particular elements. This can make installation easier. For example, if connected to differing types of solar panels, differing age or condition elements, differing types of converters, or even differing types of inverters, some embodiments of the invention can automatically act to accommodate the element, to stay within code, or to otherwise act so that regardless of the overall system or the overall dissimilarity, an optimal result can be achieved.
- this dynamically reactive control feature can be configured at either or both the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter ( 4 ) or the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ).
- embodiments can provide dynamically reactive internal output limited photovoltaic power control circuitry ( 42 ) it can also provide the step of dynamically reactively controlling an internal output or even dynamically reactively converting. Both of these features, or even any other dynamically reactive capability, can be slaved either dominantly or subserviently.
- embodiments of the invention can provide slaved dynamically reactive photovoltaic power control circuitry or the step of slavedly dynamically reactively controlling an aspect of the system. This could include slavedly dynamically reactively controlling an internal output through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ).
- embodiments can provide the dynamically reactive control as code compliant dynamically reactive photovoltaic power control circuitry ( 41 ). It may also provide the step of code compliantly dynamically reactively controlling an internal output. This can occur through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ), the DC-AC inverter ( 5 ), or otherwise.
- this code complaint feature can be slaved to take dominance over other features such as MPP activity, sweet spot activity, boundary condition activity, or the like.
- embodiments can provide slaved code compliant dynamically reactive photovoltaic power control circuitry or can provide the step of slavedly code compliantly dynamically reactively controlling internal output, perhaps through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ) or otherwise.
- code compliance it can be readily understood how the general feature of a dynamically reactive control can act to permit connection to existing or dissimilar sources as well.
- embodiments can provide dynamically multisource reactive photovoltaic power control circuitry ( 43 ) or may provide the step of multisource dynamically reactively controlling internal output, perhaps through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter ( 4 ).
- this can all be accomplished while maintaining the inverter input at an optimum level in appropriate circumstances and thus embodiments can include reactive inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry.
- embodiments may include a solar power conversion comparator ( 44 ) that can compare first and second modes of operation, perhaps the improved mode of an embodiment of the present invention and a traditional, less efficient mode.
- This comparator may involve indicating some solar energy parameter for each.
- the shunt switch operation disable element may be helpful. From this a variety of difference can be indicated, perhaps: solar power output, solar power efficiency differences, solar power cost differences, solar power insolation utilization comparisons, and the like.
- embodiments can include an ability to function with a first power capability and a second power capability. These may be traditional and improved capabilities, perhaps such as a traditional power conversion capability and an improved power conversion capability or a traditional power inversion capability and an improved power inversion capability.
- the inverter control circuitry ( 38 ) or the converter functionality control circuitry ( 8 ) or otherwise can be configured to achieve either or both of these first and second capabilities.
- the inverter can act to achieve an input voltage that would have been seen without the features of the present invention and thus embodiments can provide an off-maximum efficiency inverter input voltage control ( 47 ) or may act to provide the step of controlling inverter input voltage off a maximum efficiency level.
- embodiments may act to compare the steps of traditionally power inverting a DC photovoltaic input and sweet spot input inverting a DC photovoltaic input. Any of these can provide a user any type of output to inform the user for comparison with other systems.
- circuitry, concepts and methods of various embodiments of the invention may be broadly applied. It may be that one or more PCs per panel may be used. For example there may be non-uniformities on a single panel or other reasons for harvesting power from even portions of a panel. It may be for example that small power converters may be used on panel segments optimizing the power which may be extracted from a panel. This invention is explicitly stated to include sub panel applications.
- This invention may be optimally applied to strings of panels. It may be more economical for example to simply use a PC for each string of panels in a larger installation. This could be particularly beneficial in parallel connected strings if one string was not able to produce much power into the voltage the remainder of the strings is producing. In this case one PC per string may increase the power harvested from a large installation.
- This invention is assumed to include many physical installation options. For example there may be a hard physical connection between the PC and a panel. There may be an interconnection box for strings in which a PC per string may be installed. A given panel may have one or more PCs incorporated into the panel. A PC may also be a stand-alone physical entity.
- the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both solar power generation techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate power generation.
- the power generation techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various circuits and devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices and circuits as intended and described.
- circuits are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways.
- all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.
- each of the power source devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of
- any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
- Control Of Electrical Variables (AREA)
- Inverter Devices (AREA)
- Supply And Distribution Of Alternating Current (AREA)
- Dc-Dc Converters (AREA)
- Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
Abstract
A renewable electrical energy power system is provided with aspects and circuitry that can optimize operation of a DC-AC inverter. Alternative electrical energy sources may include solar cells and solar panels. In various embodiments, the system may include solar panel maximum power point independent inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry, inverter efficiency optimized converter control circuitry, inverter voltage input set point converter output voltage control circuitry, inverter sweet spot converter control circuitry, photovoltaic inverter duty cycle switch control circuitry, substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic inverter input control circuitry, and substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic inverter duty cycle control circuitry. With previously explained converters, inverter control circuitry or photovoltaic power converter functionality control circuitry configured as inverter sweet spot converter control circuitry can achieve extraordinary efficiencies with substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic capability at 99.2% efficiency or even only wire transmission losses.
Description
- This application is a continuation of, and claims benefit of and priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/682,882, filed Apr. 13, 2010, which is the National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/060345, filed Apr. 15, 2008, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/980,157, filed Oct. 15, 2007, and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/982,053, filed Oct. 23, 2007, and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/986,979, filed Nov. 9, 2007, and is a continuation of, and claims benefit of and priority to, International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/057105, filed Mar. 14, 2008, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/980,157, filed Oct. 15, 2007, and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/982,053, filed Oct. 23, 2007, and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/986,979, filed Nov. 9, 2007, each said application hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- This invention relates to the technical field of alternative energy, specifically, methods and apparatus for creating electrical power from some type of alternative energy source to make it available for use in a variety of applications. Through perhaps four different aspects, the invention provides techniques and circuitry that can be used to harvest power at high efficiency from an alternative energy source such as a solar panel, or a sea of strings of panels so that this power can be provided for AC use, perhaps for transfer to a power grid or the like. These four aspects can exist perhaps independently and relate to: 1) controlling electrical power creation with an inverter, 2) operating an inverter at its maximal efficiency even when a solar panel's maximum power point would not be at that level, 3) protecting an inverter, and even 4) providing a system that can react and assure operation for differing components and perhaps even within code limitations or the like.
- Renewable electrical energy that is electrical energy created from alternative sources such as those that are environmentally compatible and perhaps sourced from easily undisruptively available sources such as solar, wind, geothermal or the like is highly desirable. Considering, but not limiting, the example of solar power this is almost obvious. For years, solar power has been touted as one of the most promising for our increasingly industrialized society. Even though the amount of solar power theoretically available far exceeds most, if not all, other energy sources (alternative or not), there remain practical challenges to utilizing this energy. In general, solar power remains subject to a number of limitations that have kept it from fulfilling the promise it holds. In one regard, it has been a challenge to implement in a manner that provides adequate electrical output as compared to its cost. The present invention addresses an important aspect of this in a manner that significantly increases the ability to cost-effectively permit solar power to be electrically harnessed so that an AC output may be a cost-effective source of electrical power whether it be provided for internal use or for public comsumption, such as feedback to a grid or the like.
- Focusing on solar power as it may be applied in embodiments of the invention, one of the most efficient ways to convert solar power into electrical energy is through the use of solar cells. These devices create a photovoltaic DC current through the photovoltaic effect. Often these solar cells are linked together electrically to make a combination of cells into a solar panel or a PV (photovoltaic) panel. PV panels are often connected in series to provide high voltage at a reasonable current. Voltage, current, and power levels may be provided at an individual domestic level, such as for an individual house or the like. Similarly, large arrays of many, many panels may be combined in a sea of panels to create significant, perhaps megawatt outputs to public benefit perhaps as an alternative to creating a new coal burning power plant, a new nuclear power plant, or the like.
- Regardless of the nature of the combination, the output (perhaps of a solar cell or a solar panel, or even combinations thereof) is then converted to make the electrical power most usable since the power converters often employed can use high voltage input more effectively. This converted output is then often inverted to provide an AC output as generally exists in more dispersed power systems whether at an individual domestic or even a public level. In a first stage in some systems, namely, conversion of the alternative source's input to a converted DC, conventional power converters sometimes even have at their input handled by an MPPT (maximum power point tracking) circuit to extract the maximum amount of power from one or more or even a string of series connected panels. One problem that arises with this approach, though, is that often the PV panels act as current sources and when combined in a series string, the lowest power panel can limit the current through every other panel. In a second stage in some systems, namely the inversion function to transform the DC into AC, another problem can be that operation of the conversion at maximum power point (MPP) can be somewhat incompatible with or at least suboptimal for an inverter. Prior to the present invention, it was widely seen that it was just an inherent characteristic that needed to be accepted and that the MPP conversion function was so electrically critical that it was generally accepted as a control requirement that made suboptimization at the inverter level merely a necessary attribute that was perhaps inherent in any converted-inverted system. Perhaps surprisingly, prior to this invention, the goal of optimizing both the MPP conversion function while also optimizing the inversion function was just not seen as an achievable or perhaps at least significant goal. The present invention proves that both such goals can not only be achieved, but the result can be an extraordinarily efficient system.
- In understanding (and perhaps defending) the perceived paramount nature of an MPP operation, it may be helpful to understand that, in general, solar cells historically have been made from semiconductors such as silicon pn junctions. These junctions or diodes convert sunlight into electrical power. These diodes can have a characteristically low voltage output, often on the order of 0.6 volts. Such cells may behave like current sources in parallel with a forward diode. The output current from such a cell may be a function of many construction factors and, is often directly proportional to the amount of sunlight. The low voltage of such a solar cell can be difficult to convert to power suitable for supplying power to an electric power grid. Often, many diodes are connected in series on a photovoltaic panel. For example, a possible configuration could have 36 diodes or panels connected in series to make 21.6 volts. With the shunt diode and interconnect losses in practice such panels might only generate 15 volts at their maximum power point (MPP). For some larger systems having many such panels, even 15 volts may be too low to deliver over a wire without substantial losses. In addition, typical systems today may combine many panels in series to provide voltages in the 100's of volts in order to minimize the conduction loss between the PV panels and a power converter. Electrically, however, there can be challenges to finding the right input impedance for a converter to extract the maximum power from such a string of PV panels. Naturally, the input usually influences the output. Input variances can be magnified because, the PV panels usually act as current sources and the panel producing the lowest current can sometimes limit the current through the whole string. In some undesirable situations, weak panels can become back biased by the remainder of the panels. Although reverse diodes can be placed across each panel to limit the power loss in this case and to protect the panel from reverse breakdown, there still can be significant variances in the converted output and thus the inverted input. In solar panel systems, problems can arise due to: non-uniformity between panels, partial shade of individual panels, dirt or accumulated matter blocking sunlight on a panel, damage to a panel, and even non-uniform degradation of panels over time to name at least some aspects. These can all be considered as contributing to the perception that a varying inverted input was at least practically inevitable. Just the fact that a series connection is often desired to get high enough voltage to efficiently transmit power through a local distribution to a load, perhaps such as a grid-tied inverter has further compounded the aspect. In real world applications, there is also frequently a desire or need to use unlike types of panels without regard to the connection configuration desired (series or parallel, etc.). All of this can be viewed as contributing to the expectation of inevitability relative to the fact that the inverter input could not be managed for optimum efficiency.
- In in previous stat-of-the-art system, acceptable efficiency has been at relatively lower levels (at least as compared to the present invention). For example, in the article by G. R. Walker, J. Xue and P. Sernia entitled “PV String Per-Module Maximum Power Point Enabling Converters” those authors may have even suggested that efficiency losses were inevitable. Lower levels of efficiency, such as achieved through their ‘enhanced’ circuitries, were touted as acceptable. Similarly, two of the same authors, G. R. Walker and P. Sernia in the article entitled “Cascaded DC-DC Converter Connection of Photovoltaic Modules” suggested that the needed technologies would always be at an efficiency disadvantage. These references even include an efficiency vs. power graph showing a full power efficiency of approximately 91%. With the high cost of PV panels operation through such a low efficiency converter it is no wonder that solar power has been seen as not yet readily acceptable for the marketplace. The present invention shows that this need not be true, and that much higher levels of efficiency are in fact achievable.
- Another less understood problem with large series strings of PV panels may be with highly varying output voltage, the inverter stage driving the grid my need to operate over a very wide range also lowering its efficiency. It may also be a problem if during periods of time when the inverter section is not powering the grid that the input voltage to this stage may increase above regulatory limits. Or conversely, if the voltage during this time is not over a regulatory limit then the final operational voltage may be much lower than the ideal point of efficiency for the inverter. In addition, there may be start-up and protection issues which add significant cost to the overall power conversion process. Other less obvious issues affecting Balance of System (BOS) costs for a solar power installation are also involved. Thus, what at least one aspect of electrical solar power needs is an improvement in efficiency in the conversion stage of the electrical system. The present invention provides this needed improvement.
- As mentioned with respect to the field of invention, the invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.
- In various embodiments, the present invention discloses achievements, systems, and different initial exemplary control functionalities through which one may achieve some of the goals of the present invention. Systems provide for inverter controlled systems of photovoltaic conversion, high efficiency renewable energy creation, inverter protection designs, and even dynamically reactive conversion systems.
- Some architectures may combine a PV panel with MPP and even a dual mode power conversion circuitry to make what may be referred to as a Power Conditioner (PC) element. Converters may have a topology such as the initial examples shown in
FIGS. 10A and 10B ; these are discussed in more detail in the priority applications. As discussed below, the Power Conditioners may be combined in series or parallel or any combination of series/parallel strings and even seas of panels that largely or even always produce their full output. Even differing types of panels, differing types of converters, and differing types of inverters may be combined. - In embodiments, this invention may permit in inverter to produce its maximum power thereby harvesting more total energy from the overall system. Interestingly, this may exist even while a converter alters its acceptance of alternative power to maintain an MPP. Embodiments may be configured so that the output may be a higher voltage AC output (for example, 400V or more). Additionally, configurations may allow for an easy to administer inverter protection, perhaps even with or without feedback elements.
-
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a conversion system according to one embodiment of the invention for a single representative solar source. -
FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a sea of interconnected strings of panels according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3 shows a plot of a current and voltage relationship for a representative solar panel. -
FIG. 4 shows a plot of a power and voltage relationship for a similar panel. -
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention with series connected panels and a single grid-tied inverter configuration. -
FIGS. 6A and 6B show plots of solar panel output operational conditions for differing temperatures and output paradigms. -
FIG. 7 shows a plot of converter losses by topology and range for a traditional approach considered for a converter element as may be used in embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 shows a plot of combined sweet spot, protective, and coordinated process conditions according to one operational embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 9 shows a prior art system with a grid-tied inverter. -
FIGS. 10A and 10B show two types of dual mode power conversion circuits such as might be used in embodiments of the invention. - As mentioned above, the invention discloses a variety of aspects that may be considered independently or in combination with others. Initial understanding begins with the fact that one embodiment of a renewable electrical energy AC power system according to the present invention may combine any of the following concepts and circuits including: an inverter controlled system to at least some extent, a maximal efficiency inverter operational capability, a protected inverter alternative AC energy system, a dynamically reactive photovoltaic system, and an engineered code compliant alternative energy system. Aspects may include a very high efficiency photovoltaic converter, a multimodal photovoltaic converter, slaved systems, and even output voltage and/or output current protected system. Each of these should be understood from a general sense as well as through embodiments that display initial applications for implementation. Some initial benefits of each of these aspects are discussed individually and in combination in the following discussion as well as how each represents a class of topologies, rather than just those initially disclosed.
-
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a renewable electrical energy power system illustrating the basic conversion and inversion principles of the present invention. As shown, it involves an alternative electrical energy source (1) (here indicated by nomenclature as a solar energy source) feeding into a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4) providing a converted output to a DC-AC inverter (5) that may perhaps ultimately interface with a grid (10). As may be appreciated, the alternative electrical energy source (1) may be a solar cell, a solar panel, or perhaps even a string of panels. Regardless, the alternative electrical energy source (1) may create an output such as a DC photovoltaic output (2). This DC photovoltaic output (2) may be established as a DC photovoltaic input (3) to the DC-DC power converter (4). Similarly, the DC-DC power converter (4) may create an output such as a DC photovoltaic output (6). This DC photovoltaic output (6), or more generally photovoltaic DC converter output, may be established as an inverter input (29) to the DC-AC inverter (5). Ultimately, the DC-AC inverter (5) may act to invert the converted DC and create an AC output such as a photovoltaic AC power output (30) which may be be established an an input to a grid (10), a domestic electrical system, or both, or some other power consuming device or thing. - The DC-DC power converter (4) may have its operation controlled by a capability generally indicated as converter functionality control circuitry (8). As one of ordinary skill in the art should well appreciate, this converter functionality control circuitry (8) may be embodied as true circuitry hardware or it may be firmware or even software to accomplish the desired control and would still fall within the meaning of a converter functionality control circuitry (8). Similarly, the DC-DC power converter (4) should be considered to represent photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion circuitry. In this regard it is likely that hardware circuitry is necessary, however combinations of hardware, firmware, and software should still be understood as encompassed by the circuitry term.
- The DC-AC inverter (5) may also have its operation controlled by inverter control circuitry (38) that likewise may be embodied as true circuitry hardware or it may be firmware or even software to accomplish the desired control and would still fall within the meaning of an inverter controlling step or an inverter control circuitry (38).
- As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the various elements may be connected to each other. Direct connection is but one manner in which the various elements may be responsive to each other, that is, some effect in one may directly or indirectly cause an effect or change in another. For example, while there could be a connection between the inverter control circuitry (38) and the converter functionality control circuitry (8), effects can occur and responsiveness can exist even without the connection. In fact, in a preferred embodiment, no such direct connection is used as the effect can be cause even without such a connection. - Sequencing through the schematic diagram, it can be understood that the DC-DC power converter (4) may act to convert its input and thus provide a converted DC photovoltaic output (6) which may serve as an input to the DC-AC inverter (5) which may be of a variety of designs. This DC-AC inverter (5) may serve as one way to accomplish the step of inverting the DC power into an inverted AC (7) such as a photovoltaic AC power output (7) that can be used by, for example, a power grid (10) through some connection termed an AC power grid interface (9). In this manner the system may create a DC photovoltaic output (6) which may be established as an input to some type of DC-AC inverter (5). This step of inverting an input should be understood as encompassing and creation of any substantially alternating signal from any substantially unidirectional current flow signal even if that signal is not itself perfectly, or even substantially, steady.
- As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 5 , individual alternative electrical energy sources (1) (here shown as solar energy sources—whether at a cell, panel, or module level) may be combined to create a series of electrically connected sources. Such combinations may be responsive through either series or parallel connections. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 5 , the connected plurality may form a string of electrically connected items, perhaps such as a string of electrically connected solar panels (11). As shown inFIG. 2 , each of these strings may themselves be a component to a much larger combination perhaps forming a photovoltaic array (12) or even a sea of combined solar energy sources. By either physical or electrical layout, certain of these cells, panels, or strings may be adjacent in that they may be exposed to somewhat similar electrical, mechanical, environmental, solar exposure (or insolative) conditions. In situations where large arrays or seas are provided, it may be desirable to include a high voltage DC-AC solar power inverter perhaps with a three phase high voltage inverted AC photovoltaic output as schematically illustrated inFIG. 2 . - As illustrated for an electrically serial combination, output may be combined so that their voltages may add whereas their currents may be identical. Conversely, electrically parallel combinations may exist.
FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate embodiments that are connected to accomplish serially combining or serially connecting items such as the converted DC photovoltaic outputs (6) to create a converted DC photovoltaic input to a DC-AC inverter (5). As shown, these serial connections may be of the converted DC photovoltaic outputs (6) which may then create a converted DC photovoltaic output (13) which may serve as a converted DC photovoltaic input (14) to some type of photovoltaic DC-AC inverter (5) or other load. Again, each alternative electrical energy source (1) may be a solar source such as at the cell, panel, string, or even array level. As would be well understood, parallel connections and the step of parallel connecting converters or their outputs could be accomplished as well. - As mentioned above, circuitry and systems can be configured to extract as much power as possible from an alternative electrical energy source (1); this is especially applicable for a solar power source or sources where insolation can be variable from source to even adjacent source. Electrically, this may be accomplished by achieving operation to operate at one or more solar cell, panel, or string's maximum power point (MPP) by MPP circuitry or maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Thus, in embodiments, a solar power system according to the invention may include an MPPT control circuit with a power conversion circuit. It may even include range limiting circuitry as discussed later.
- This aspect of maximum power point is illustrated by reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4 and the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) circuit may be configured to find the optimum point for extracting power from a given panel or other alternative electrical energy source (1). As background, it should be understood that a panel such as may be measured in a laboratory may exhibit the voltage and current relationships indicated inFIG. 3 . Current in Amps is on the vertical axis. Voltage in volts is on the horizontal axis. If one multiplies the voltage times the current to derive power this is shown inFIG. 4 . Power is now on the vertical axis. The goal of an embodiment of an MPPT circuit as used here may be to apply an appropriate condition to a panel such that the panel may operate to provide its peak power. One can see graphically that the maximum power point on this panel under the measurement conditions occurs when the panel produces approximately 15 volts and 8 amperes. This may be determined by a maximum photovoltaic power point converter functionality control circuitry (15) which may even be part or all of the modality of operation of the converter functionality control circuitry (8). In this fashion, the converter or the step of converting may provide a maximum photovoltaic power point modality of photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion or the step of maximum photovoltaic power point converting. This may be accomplished by switching and perhaps also by duty cycle switching at the converter or even inverter level and as such the system may accomplish maximum photovoltaic power point duty cycle switching or the step of maximum photovoltaic voltage determinatively duty cycle switching. - As one skilled in the art would appreciate, there are numerous circuit configurations that may be employed to derive MPP information. Some may be based on observing short circuit current or open circuit voltage. Another class of solutions may be referred to as a Perturb and Observe (P&O) circuit. The P&O methods may be used in conjunction with a technique referred to as a “hill climb” to derive the MPP. As explained below, this MPP can be determined individually for each source, for adjacent sources, of for entire strings to achieve best operation. Thus a combined system embodiment may utilize individually panel (understood to include any source level) dedicated maximum photovoltaic power point converter functionality control circuitries (16).
- Regardless of whether individually configured or not, in one P&O method, an analog circuit could be configured to take advantage of existing ripple voltage on the panel. Using simple analog circuitry it may be possible to derive panel voltage and its first derivative (V′), as well as panel power and its first derivative (P′). Using the two derivatives and simple logic it may be possible to adjust the load on the panel as follows:
-
TABLE 1 V′ Positive P′ Positive Raise Panel Voltage V′ Positive P′ Negative Lower Panel Voltage V′ Negative P′ Positive Lower Panel Voltage V′ Negative P′ Negative Raise Panel Voltage - There may be numerous other circuit configurations for finding derivatives and logic for the output, of course. In general, a power conditioner (17) may include power calculation circuitry, firmware, or software (21) which may even be photovoltaic multiplicative resultant circuitry (22). These circuitries may act to effect a result or respond to an item which is analogous to (even if not the precise mathematical resultant of a V*I multiplication function) a power indication. This may of course be a V*I type of calculation of some power parameters and the system may react to either raise or lower itself in some way to ultimately move closer to and eventually achieve operation at an MPP level. By provided a capability and achieving the step of calculating a photovoltaic multiplicative power parameter, the system can respond to that parameter for the desired result.
- In many traditional systems, such an MPP operation is often performed at a macro level, that is for entire strings or the entire alternative electrical energy source network. As explained herein, his is one aspect that can contribute to less than optimal efficiency. Often many traditional systems derive MPP at a front end or by some control of the DC-AC inverter (5). Thus, by altering the inverter's power acceptance characteristics, an alteration of the current drawn or other parameter, and thus the total power created, can be altered to pull the maximum from the alternative electrical energy sources (1). Whether at the front of the inverter or not, of course, such an alteration would vary the input to the DC-AC inverter (5) and for this reason as well as the fact that insolation varies, it had come to be expected that inverters would always necessarily experience a variation in input and thus the more important goal of operation at an MPP level would not permit operation at the best efficiency input level for the inverter. The present invention shows that this is not true.
-
FIG. 9 illustrates one type of photovoltaic DC-AC inverter (5) that may be used. Naturally as may be appreciated from the earlier comments enhanced inverters that need not control MPP may be used. In one aspect of the invention, the inverter may have its input controlled at an optimal level. For example, a separate control input could be used so that the input voltage is at a most optimal level, perhaps such as a singular sweet spot or the like as illustrated by the bold vertical line inFIG. 8 . Interestingly and as explained in more detail below, this may be accomplished by the present invention in a manner that is independent of the MPP level at which the converter operates. Finally, as shown, the inverter may be connected to some type of AC power grid interface (9). - Another aspect of the invention is the possibility of the inverter controlling the output of the converter. Traditionally, the inverter has been viewed as a passive recipient of whatever the converter needs to output. In sharp contrast, embodiments of the present invention may involve having the DC-AC inverter (5) control the output of the DC-DC converter (4). As mentioned in more detail below, this may be accomplished by duty cycle switching the DC-AC inverter (5) perhaps through operation of the inverter control circuitry (38). This duty cycle switching can act to cause the output of the DC-DC converter (4) (which itself may have its own operation duty cycle switched to achieve MPP operation) to alter by load or otherwise so that it is at precisely the level the DC-AC inverter (5) wants. As mentioned above, this may be achieved by a direct control input or, for preferred embodiments of the invention may be achieved by simply alter an effect until the converter's DC photovoltaic output (6) and thus the inverter input (29) are as desired. This can be considered as one manner of photovoltaic inverter sourced converting within such a system. With this as but one example of operation, it should be understood that, in general, a control may be considered inverter sourced or derived from conditions or functions or circuitry associated with the DC-AC inverter (5) and thus embodiments of the invention may include inverter sourced photovoltaic power conversion output control circuitry within or associated with the inverter control circuitry (38).
- In embodiments, an important aspect of the above control paradigm can be the operation of the inverter to control its own input at an optimal level. For example, it is known that inverter often have a level of voltage input at which the inverter achieves its inverting most efficiently. This is often referred to as the inverter input sweet spot and it is often associated with a specific voltage level for a specific inverter. By providing the action of photovoltaic inverter sourced controlling operation, embodiments may even provide a set point or perhaps substantially constant voltage output as the inverter input (29) and thus embodiments may have a substantially constant power conversion voltage output or may also achieve the step of substantially constant voltage output controlling of the operation of the system. An inverter voltage input set point may be so established, and embodiments may include inverter voltage input set point converter output voltage control circuitry to manage the step of inverter voltage input set point controlling of the operation of the system.
- As mentioned above, a surprising aspect of embodiments of the invention may be the fact that inverter input may be maintained independent of and even without regard to a separately maintained MPP level of operation. Thus, inverter optimum input can exist while simultaneously maintaining MPP level of conversion functionality. As but one example, embodiments can include independent inverter operating condition converter output control circuitry or the step of independently controlling an inverter operating condition perhaps through the photovoltaic DC-DC converter or the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4). As mentioned aboe in embodiments, this can be achieved through duty cycle switching of both the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4) and the DC-AC inverter (5). In this manner, embodiments may include the step of maximum power point independently controlling the inverter input voltage. For solar panels, systems may have solar panel maximum power point independent inverter input voltage control circuitry (38). This circuitry may be configured for an optimal level and thus embodiment may have solar panel maximum power point independent inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry. Generally there may be a solar panel maximum power point independent power conversion output or even the step of solar panel maximum power point independently controlling of the operation of the system.
- An aspect of operational capability that afford advantage is the capability of embodiments of the invention to accommodate differing operating conditions for various solar sources or panels. As shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B , voltages of operation for maximum power point can vary based upon not just changes in insolation but also whether the solar source is experiencing hot or cold temperature conditions. By permitting MPP to be accommodated through control apart from any voltage constraint, embodiments according to the invention may provide expansive panel capability. This may even be such that the converter is effectively a full photovoltaic temperature voltage operating range photovoltaic DC-DC power converter whereby it can operate at MPP voltages as high as that for the MPP in a cold temperature of operation as well as the MPP voltages as low as that for the MPP in a hot temperature of operation. Thus, as can be understood fromFIGS. 6A and 6B , systems can provide solar energy source open circuit cold voltage determinative switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry and solar energy source maximum power point hot voltage determinative switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry. It can even achieve full photovoltaic temperature voltage operating range converting. This may be accomplished through proper operation of the switch duty cycles and systems may thus provide solar energy source open circuit cold voltage determinatively duty cycle switching and solar energy source maximum power point hot voltage determinatively duty cycle switching. - Further, viewing hot and cold voltages as perhaps the extreme conditions, similarly it can be understood how the system may accommodate varying amount of insolation and thus there may be provided insolation variable adaptive photovoltaic converter control circuitry that can extract MPP—even while maintaining an optimal inverter input—whether a panel is partially shaded, even if relative to an adjacent panel. Systems and their duty cycle switching may be adaptable to the amount of insolation and so the step of converting may be accomplished as insolation variably adaptively converting. This can be significant in newer technology panels such as cadmium-telluride solar panels and especially when combining outputs from a string of cadmium-telluride solar panels which can have broader operating voltages.
- Of significant importance is the level of efficiency with which the entire system operates. This is defined as the power going out over the power coming in. A portion of the efficiency gain is achieved by using switching operation of transistor switches, however, the topology is far more significant in this regard. Specifically, by the operation of switches and the like as discussed above, the system can go far beyond the levels of efficiency previously thought possible. It can even provide a substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion and substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic DC-AC power inversion that does not substantially change the form of power into heat rather than electrical energy by providing as high as about 99.2% efficiency. This can be provided by utilizing substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic converter and inverter functionality and a substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic converter and inverter and by controlling operation of the switches so that there is limited loss as discussed above. Such operation can be at levels of from 97, 97.5, 98, 98.5 up to either 99.2 or essentially the wire transmission loss efficiency (which can be considered the highest possible).
- The combined abilities to operate the inverter at its most efficient, sweet spot while simultaneously operating the panels at their MPP aids in these efficiency advantages. While in prior art efficiency was sometimes shown to be less than 91%, this combination can accomplish the needed function while operating even above 98% and at levels as high as only those experiencing wire transmission losses. Efficiencies of about 99.2% can be achieved. When connected to a solar panel or an array of solar panels this efficiency difference can be of paramount importance. Embodiments having a constant voltage input to the inverter can thus be considered as having substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic inverter input control circuitry. When embodiments accomplish this through duty cycle switching for the inverter, such embodiments can be considered as having substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic inverter duty cycle control circuitry or as providing the step of substantially power isomorphically duty cycle switching the photovoltaic DC-AC inverter. The ability to set a constant input regardless of MPP needs allows the inverter controller to optimize the input for the inverter and so serve as inverter efficiency optimized converter control circuitry or provide the step of inverter efficiency optimization controlling of the operation of the system. Of course in embodiments where optimization is determined by operating at the point of maximum efficiency, or the sweet spot, the system can be understood as including inverter sweet spot control circuitry or even as inverter sweet spot converter control circuitry (46) when this is accomplished through the converter's output. Generally, it can also be considered as providing the step of inverter sweet spot controlling of the operation of the system. The inverter sweet spot operation capability can also be slaved to other functions (as discussed later) and thus the inverter sweet spot control circuitry can be slaved inverter sweet spot control circuitry or as providing the step of slavedly controlling sweet spot operation of the photovoltaic DC-AC inverter.
- Considering the converter (as discussed in more detail in the priority applications), one aspect that contributes to such efficiency is the fact that minimal change of stored energy during the conversion process. As shown in
FIG. 6 , such embodiments may include a parallel capacitance and a series inductance. These may be used to store energy at least some times in the operation of converting. It may even be considered that full energy conversion is not accomplished, only the amount of conversion necessary to achieve the desired result. - Also contributing to the overall system efficiency advantage in some embodiments can be the use of electrically connecting panels in a series string so the current through each power conditioner (PC) (17) output may be the same but the output voltage of each PC may be proportional to the amount of power its panel makes together with an MPP per panel capability. Consider the following examples to further disclose the functioning of such series connected embodiments. Examine the circuit of
FIG. 5 and compare it to panels simply connected in series (keep in mind that the simple series connection may have a reverse diode across it). First, assume there are four panels in series each producing 100 volts and 1 amp feeding an inverter with its input set to 400 volts. This gives 400 watts output using either approach. Now consider the result of one panel making 100 volts and 0.8 amps (simulating partial shading—less light simply means less current). For the series connection the 0.8 amps flows through each panel making the total power 400×0.8=320 watts. Now consider the circuit ofFIG. 6 . First, the total power would be 380 watts as each panel is making its own MPP. And of course the current from each Power Conditioner must be the same as they are after all still connected in series. But with known power from each PC the voltage may be calculated as: -
3V+0.8V=400 volts, where V is the voltage on each full power panel. - Thus, it can be seen that in this embodiment, three of the panels may have 105.3 volts and one may have 84.2 volts.
- Further, in
FIG. 5 it can be understood that in some embodiments, an additional benefit may be derived from the inclusion of individual MPP per panel power control. In such embodiments, a power block may be considered as a group of PV panels with power conversion and MPP per panel configurations. As such they may adapt their output as needed to always maintain maximum power from each and every power block. - The advantage of this type of a configuration is illustrated from a second example of MPP operation. This example is one to illustrate where one panel is shaded such that it can now only produce 0.5 amps. For the series connected string, the three panels producing 1 amp may completely reverse bias the panel making 0.5 amps causing the reverse diode to conduct. There may even be only power coming from three of the panels and this may total 300 watts. Again for an embodiment circuit of invention, each PC may be producing MPP totaling 350 watts. The voltage calculation would this time be:
-
3V+0.5V=400 volts - This, in this instance, the three panels may have a voltage of 114.2 volts and the remaining one may have half as much, or 57.1 volts. These are basic examples to illustrate some advantages. In an actual PV string today there may be many PV panels in series. And usually none of them make exactly the same power. Thus, many panels may become back biased and most may even produce less than their individual MPP. As discussed below, such configurations can also be configured to include voltage limits and/or protection perhaps by setting operational boundaries. Importantly, however, output voltage can be seen as proportional to PV panel output power thus yielding a better result to be available to the DC-AC inverter (5) for use in its inversion. Now, when the DC-AC inverter (5) is also able to be operated at its sweet spot, it can efficiently invert the individualized MPP energy pulled from the sea of panels or the like for the overall system efficiency gains mentioned.
- An interesting, and perhaps even surprising aspect of the invention is that the DC-AC inverter (5) can be coordinated with the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4). Embodiments can have inverter coordinated photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry (45) or can provide the step of inverter coordinated converting or inverter coordinated controlling of the operations. As mentioned this can be direct or indirect. As shown in
FIG. 1 , there could be a direct connection from the inverter control circuitry (38) to the converter functionality control circuitry (8), however, in preferred embodiments, no such direct connection may be needed. Specifically, and for only one example, by simply controlling its duty cycle to maintain a sweet spot input, the DC-AC inverter (5) can cause the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4) to alter its operation as it simply tries to maintain its duty cycle to maintain MPP. This indirect control is still considered as providing photovoltaic converter output control circuitry, and even more specifically, as providing photovoltaic converter output voltage control circuitry (32) because it causes the step of controlling a photovoltaic DC-DC converter output (also referred to as the DC photovoltaic output (2)) of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4), and even more specifically, as providing the step of controlling a photovoltaic DC-DC converter voltage output of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4). - While in theory or in normal operation the described circuits work fine, there can be additional requirements for a system to have practical function. For example the dual mode circuit (described in more detail in the priority applications) could go to infinite output voltage if there were no load present. This situation can actually occur frequently. Consider the situation in the morning when the sun first strikes a PV panel string with power conditioners (17). There may be no grid connection at this point and the inverter section may not draw any power. In this case the power conditioner (17) might in practical terms increase its output voltage until the inverter would break. The inverter could have overvoltage protection on its input adding additional power conversion components or, the power conditioner may simply have its own internal output voltage limit. For example if each power conditioner (17) could only produce 100 volts maximum and there was a string of ten PCs in series the maximum output voltage would be 1000 volts. This output voltage limit could make the grid-tied inverter less complex or costly and is illustrated in
FIG. 6A as a preset overvoltage limit. Thus embodiments can present maximum voltage determinative switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry and maximum photovoltaic voltage determinative duty cycle switching (as shown inFIG. 6A as the preset overvoltage limit). This can be inverter specific and so an additional aspect of embodiments of the invention can be the inclusion of inverter protection schemes. The operation over the potentially vast ranges of temperatures, insolations, and even panel conditions or characteristics can cause such significant variations in voltage and current because when trying to maintain one parameter (such as sweet spot voltage or the like), some of these variations can cause another parameter (such as output current or the like) to exceed an inverter, building code, or otherwise acceptable level. Embodiments of the present invention can account for these aspects as well and may even provide this through the DC-DC power converter (4) and/or the DC-AC inverter (5) thus including inverter protection photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry (33) at either or both levels. Considering output, input, voltage and current limitations as initial examples, it can be understood that embodiments can provide the steps of providing photovoltaic inverter protection power conversion control and even controlling a limited photovoltaic converter current output through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4). These may be configured with consideration of maximum inverter inputs and converter outputs so there can be included maximum inverter input converter output control circuitry (37), maximum inverter voltage determinative switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry, or also the step of controlling a maximum inverter input converter output. As alluded to above, each of these more generic types of capabilities and elements as well as others can be provided in a slaved manner so that either they themselves are subservient to or dominant over another function and thus embodiments can provide slaved photovoltaic power control circuitry (34). As sometimes indicated inFIG. 1 , such slaved photovoltaic power control circuitry (34) (as well as various other functions as a person of ordinary skill would readily understand) can be provided at either the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4), the DC-AC inverter (5), or both, or elsewhere. These can include converter current output limited photovoltaic power control circuitry, converter voltage output limited photovoltaic power control circuitry, or the like. Thus, embodiments can have slaved photovoltaic inverter protection control circuitry, or more specifically, slaved photovoltaic current level control circuitry or slaved photovoltaic voltage level control circuitry, or may provide the steps of slavedly providing photovoltaic inverter protection control of the photovoltaic DC-AC inverter (5), slavedly controlling current from the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4), or the like. Considering such voltage and current limits, it can be understood that system may more generally be considered as including photovoltaic boundary condition power conversion control circuitry and as providing the step of photovoltaic boundary condition power conversion control. Thus, as illustrated inFIGS. 6A , 6B, and 8, boundary conditions may be set such as the overcurrent limit and the overvoltage limit. And the DC-AC inverter (5), the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4), and/or either or both of their control circuitries may serve as photovoltaic boundary condition converter functionality control circuitry, may achieve a photovoltaic boundary condition modality of photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion, and may accomplish the step of controlling a photovoltaic boundary condition of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter. - In the above example of a maximum output current limit, it should be understood that this may also be useful as illustrated in
FIG. 6A as a preset overcurrent limit. This is less straightforward and is related to the nature of a PV panel. If a PV panel is subjected to insufficient light its output voltage may drop but its output current may not be capable of increasing. There can be an advantage to only allowing a small margin of additional current. For example, this same 100 watt panel which has a 100 volt maximum voltage limit could also have a 2 amp current limit without limiting its intended use. This may also greatly simplify the following grid tied inverter stage. Consider an inverter in a large installation which may need a crowbar shunt front end for protection. Such could be provided in addition to duty cycle control or the like. If the output of a PC could go to 100 amps the crowbar would have to handle impractical currents. This situation would not exist in a non PC environment as a simple PV panel string could be easily collapsed with a crowbar circuit. This current limit circuit may only be needed with a PC and it may be easily achieved by duty cycle or more precisely switch operation control. Once a current limit is included another BOS savings may be realized. Now the wire size for interconnect of the series string of PCs may be limited to only carry that maximum current limit. Here embodiments can present maximum photovoltaic inverter current converter functionality control circuitry, inverter maximum current determinative switching, photovoltaic inverter maximum current determinative duty cycle switch control circuitry, and photovoltaic inverter maximum current determinatively duty cycle switching or the like. - One more system problem may also be addressed. In solar installations it may occur on rare conditions that a panel or field of panels may be subjected to more than full sun. This may happen when a refractory situation exists with clouds or other reflective surfaces. It may be that a PV source may generate as much as 1.5 times the rated power for a few minutes. The grid tied inverter section must either be able to operate at this higher power (adding cost) or must somehow avoid this power. A power limit in the PC may be the most effective way to solve this problem. In general, protection of the DC-AC inverter (5) can be achieved by the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4) as an inverter protection modality of the photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion or as inverter protection converter functionality control circuitry. In maintaining inverter sweet spot input, such circuitry can also provide desirable inverter operating conditions, thus embodiments may include photovoltaic inverter operating condition converter functionality control circuitry. There may also be embodiments that have small output voltage (even within an allowed output voltage range). This may accommodate an inverter with a small energy storage capacitor. The output voltage may even be coordinated with an inverter's energy storage capability.
- As mentioned above, certain aspect may be slaved to (subservient) or may slave other aspects (dominant). One possible goal in switching for some embodiments may include the maximum power point operation and sweet spot operational characteristics discussed above as well as a number of modalities as discussed below. Some of these modalities may even be slaved such that one takes precedence of one or another at some point in time, in some power regime, or perhaps based on some power parameter to achieve a variety of modalities of operation. There may be photovoltaic duty cycle switching, and such may be controlled by photovoltaic duty cycle switch control circuitry (again understood as encompassing hardware, firmware, software, and even combinations of each). With respect to the DC-AC inverter (5), there may be more generally the slaved photovoltaic power control circuitry (34) mentioned above, slaved inverter operating condition control circuitry, slaved photovoltaic voltage level control circuitry and even the steps of slavedly controlling voltage from the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4) or slavedly controlling operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4).
- Another aspect of some embodiments of the invention can be protection or operation of components or the DC-AC inverter (5) so as to address abrupt changes in condition. This can be accomplished through the inclusion of soft transition photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry (35) or the step of softly transitioning a photovoltaic electrical parameter or more specifically even softly transitioning a converted photovoltaic power level electrical parameter. Thus, another mode of operation may be to make a value proportional (in its broadest sense) to some other aspect. For example, there can be advantages to making voltage proportional to current such as to provide soft start capability or the like. Thus embodiments may be configured for controlling a maximum photovoltaic output voltage proportional to a photovoltaic output current at least some times during the process of converting a DC input to a DC output. In general, this may provide soft transition photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry (35). Focusing on voltage and current as only two such parameters, embodiments can include ramped photovoltaic current power conversion control circuitry, ramped photovoltaic voltage power conversion control circuitry, or the steps of ramping (which be linear or may have any other shape) a photovoltaic current level, ramping a photovoltaic voltage level, or the like. One of the many ways in which such soft transition can be accomplished can be by making one parameter proportional to another. For example, embodiments can include photovoltaic output voltage-photovoltaic output current proportional control circuitry (39) or can provide the step of controlling a photovoltaic output voltage proportional to a photovoltaic output current.
- Further, embodiments of the system may include duty cycle control or switch operation that can be conducted so as to achieve one or more proportionalities between parameters perhaps such as the initial examples of maximum voltage output and current output or the like. Further, not only can any of the above by combined with any other of the above, but each may be provided in a slaved manner such that consideration of one modality is secondary to or dominant over that of another modality.
- As mentioned above one technique of some control activities can be through the use of duty cycle switching or the like. Switches on either or both of the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4) or the DC-AC inverter (5) can be controlled in a variable duty cycle mode of operation such that frequency of switching alters to achieve the desired facet. The converter functionality control circuitry (8), perhaps providing the step of maximum photovoltaic power point duty cycle switching of a photovoltaic DC-DC converter, or the inverter control circuitry (38) may serve as photovoltaic duty cycle switch control circuitry. The duty cycle operations and switching can achieve a variety of results, from serving as photovoltaic transformation duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic impedance transformation duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic input control duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic output duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic voltage duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic current duty cycle switching, to soft transition duty cycle switching, to photovoltaic optimization duty cycle switching, to other operations. The photovoltaic inverter duty cycle switch control circuitry (31) may even act to provide the step of maximum photovoltaic voltage determinatively duty cycle switching the DC-AC inverter (5).
- A variety of results have been described above. These may be achieved by simply altering the duty cycle of or switches affected by the switches. These can be accomplished based on thresholds and so provide threshold triggered alternative mode, threshold determinative, threshold activation, or threshold deactivation switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry. A burst mode of operation perhaps such as when nearing a mode alteration level of operation may be provided and at such times frequency can be halved, opposing modes can be both alternated, and level can be reduced as a change become incipient. This can be transient as well. In these manners burst mode switching photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry and burst mode switching can be accomplished, as well as transient opposition mode photovoltaic duty cycle switch control circuitry and even the step of transiently establishing opposing switching modes.
- As discussed in more detail in the priority applications, there may be a variety of modes of operation of a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4). These may include modes of increasing and, perhaps alternatively, decreasing photovoltaic load impedance, the output, or otherwise. Systems according to embodiments of the invention may combine inverter aspects with a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4) that serves as a multimodal photovoltaic DC-DC power converter perhaps controlled by multimodal converter functionality control circuitry (26) in that it has more than one mode of operation. These modes may include, but should be understood as not limited to, photovoltaic output increasing and photovoltaic output decreasing, among others. In general, the aspect of multimodal activity encompasses at least processes where only one mode of conversion occurs at any one time.
- Thus, a power conditioner (17) may provide at least first modality and second modality photovoltaic DC-DC power conversion circuitry, DC-DC power converter, or DC-DC power conversion in conjunction with the inverter capabilities discussed herein. By offering the capability of more than one mode of operation (even though not necessarily utilized at the same time), or in offering the capability of changing modes of operation, the system may accomplish the step of multimodally operating. Similarly, by offering the capability of controlling to effect more than one mode of conversion operation (again, even though not necessarily utilized at the same time), or in controlling to change modes of operation, the system may accomplish the step of multimodally controlling operation of a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4) or a DC-AC inverter (5).
- Embodiments may include a photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4) that has even two or more modes of operation and thus may be considered a dual mode power conversion circuit or dual mode converter. The dual mode nature of this circuit may embody a significant benefit and another distinction may be that most DC/DC converters are often intended to take an unregulated source and produce a regulated output. In this invention, the input to the DC/DC converter is regulated either up or down—and in a highly efficient manner—to be at the PV panel MPP. The dual mode nature of the converter may also serve to facilitate an effect caused by the inverter's operation even without a direct connection. Of course, such modes of operation can be adapted for application with respect to the inverter's duty cycle switching as well.
- As mentioned above, the PCs and photovoltaic DC-DC power converters (4) may handle individual panels. They may be attached to a panel, to a frame, or separate. Embodiments may have converters physically integral to such panels in the sense that they are provided as one attached unit for ultimate installation. This can be desirable such as when there are independent operating conditions for separate solar sources, and even adjacent solar sources to accommodate variations in insolation, condition, or otherwise. Each panel or the like may achieve its own MPP, and may coordinate protection with all others in a string or the like.
- As may be understood, systems can include an aspect of reacting to operational conditions to which elements are subjected. This can occur in a dynamic fashion so that as one condition changes, nearly instantly a reaction to control appropriately is caused. They can also react to installation conditions and can react to the particular elements. This can make installation easier. For example, if connected to differing types of solar panels, differing age or condition elements, differing types of converters, or even differing types of inverters, some embodiments of the invention can automatically act to accommodate the element, to stay within code, or to otherwise act so that regardless of the overall system or the overall dissimilarity, an optimal result can be achieved. Again this dynamically reactive control feature can be configured at either or both the photovoltaic DC-DC power converter (4) or the DC-AC inverter (5). At either location, embodiments can provide dynamically reactive internal output limited photovoltaic power control circuitry (42) it can also provide the step of dynamically reactively controlling an internal output or even dynamically reactively converting. Both of these features, or even any other dynamically reactive capability, can be slaved either dominantly or subserviently. Thus, embodiments of the invention can provide slaved dynamically reactive photovoltaic power control circuitry or the step of slavedly dynamically reactively controlling an aspect of the system. This could include slavedly dynamically reactively controlling an internal output through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4).
- The aspect of addressing an external as well as an internal output can be helpful to meeting code or other requirements when there is no way to know what type of panel or other component the system is hooked to. In situations where an internal signal (perhaps such as the signal transmitting power from a rooftop collection of panels to a basement inverter grid connection) is not permitted to exceed a specified level of voltage, current, or otherwise needs to meet limitations on existing wiring or circuit breakers or the like, embodiments can provide the dynamically reactive control as code compliant dynamically reactive photovoltaic power control circuitry (41). It may also provide the step of code compliantly dynamically reactively controlling an internal output. This can occur through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4), the DC-AC inverter (5), or otherwise. Of course this code complaint feature can be slaved to take dominance over other features such as MPP activity, sweet spot activity, boundary condition activity, or the like. In this manner embodiments can provide slaved code compliant dynamically reactive photovoltaic power control circuitry or can provide the step of slavedly code compliantly dynamically reactively controlling internal output, perhaps through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4) or otherwise. Beyond code compliance, it can be readily understood how the general feature of a dynamically reactive control can act to permit connection to existing or dissimilar sources as well. Thus whether by programming, circuitry, or other configuration, embodiments can provide dynamically multisource reactive photovoltaic power control circuitry (43) or may provide the step of multisource dynamically reactively controlling internal output, perhaps through operation of the photovoltaic DC-DC converter (4). Of course this can all be accomplished while maintaining the inverter input at an optimum level in appropriate circumstances and thus embodiments can include reactive inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry.
- As the invention becomes more accepted it may be advantageous to permit comparison with more traditional technologies or operating conditions. This can be achieved by simple switch operation whereby traditional modes of operation can be duplicated or perhaps adequately mimicked to permit a comparison. Thus, for a solar focus, embodiments may include a solar power conversion comparator (44) that can compare first and second modes of operation, perhaps the improved mode of an embodiment of the present invention and a traditional, less efficient mode. This comparator may involve indicating some solar energy parameter for each. In this regard, the shunt switch operation disable element may be helpful. From this a variety of difference can be indicated, perhaps: solar power output, solar power efficiency differences, solar power cost differences, solar power insolation utilization comparisons, and the like. Whether through software or hardware or otherwise, embodiments can include an ability to function with a first power capability and a second power capability. These may be traditional and improved capabilities, perhaps such as a traditional power conversion capability and an improved power conversion capability or a traditional power inversion capability and an improved power inversion capability. The inverter control circuitry (38) or the converter functionality control circuitry (8) or otherwise can be configured to achieve either or both of these first and second capabilities. As one example, the inverter can act to achieve an input voltage that would have been seen without the features of the present invention and thus embodiments can provide an off-maximum efficiency inverter input voltage control (47) or may act to provide the step of controlling inverter input voltage off a maximum efficiency level. In instances where the improved embodiment achieves inverter sweet spot operation capability, embodiments may act to compare the steps of traditionally power inverting a DC photovoltaic input and sweet spot input inverting a DC photovoltaic input. Any of these can provide a user any type of output to inform the user for comparison with other systems.
- By the above combinations of these concepts and circuitry, at least some of the following benefits may be realized:
-
- Every PV panel may produce its individual maximum power. Many estimates today indicate this may increase the power generated in a PV installation by 20% or even more.
- The grid tied inverter may be greatly simplified and operate more efficiently.
- The Balance of System costs for a PV installation may be reduced.
- The circuitry, concepts and methods of various embodiments of the invention may be broadly applied. It may be that one or more PCs per panel may be used. For example there may be non-uniformities on a single panel or other reasons for harvesting power from even portions of a panel. It may be for example that small power converters may be used on panel segments optimizing the power which may be extracted from a panel. This invention is explicitly stated to include sub panel applications.
- This invention may be optimally applied to strings of panels. It may be more economical for example to simply use a PC for each string of panels in a larger installation. This could be particularly beneficial in parallel connected strings if one string was not able to produce much power into the voltage the remainder of the strings is producing. In this case one PC per string may increase the power harvested from a large installation.
- This invention is assumed to include many physical installation options. For example there may be a hard physical connection between the PC and a panel. There may be an interconnection box for strings in which a PC per string may be installed. A given panel may have one or more PCs incorporated into the panel. A PC may also be a stand-alone physical entity.
- All of the foregoing is discussed at times in the context of a solar power application. As may be appreciated, some if not all aspects may be applied in other contexts as well. Thus, this disclosure should be understood as supporting other applications regardless how applied.
- As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both solar power generation techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate power generation. In this application, the power generation techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various circuits and devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices and circuits as intended and described. In addition, while some circuits are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.
- The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements.
- Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the devices and circuits described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.
- It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system.
- Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same.
- Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “converter” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “converting”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “converting”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “converter” and even a “means for converting” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.
- Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent or its list of references are hereby incorporated by reference. Any priority case(s) claimed at any time by this or any subsequent application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the List of References or other information statement filed with or included in the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).
- Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the power source devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xiii) all inventions described herein. In addition and as to computerized aspects and each aspect amenable to programming or other programmable electronic automation, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: xiv) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer as described throughout the above discussion, xv) a programmable apparatus as described throughout the above discussion, xvi) a computer readable memory encoded with data to direct a computer comprising means or elements which function as described throughout the above discussion, xvii) a computer configured as herein disclosed and described, xviii) individual or combined subroutines and programs as herein disclosed and described, xix) the related methods disclosed and described, xx) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these systems and methods, xxi) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, xxii) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxiii) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, and xxiv) the various combinations and permutations of each of the above.
- With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested in potential scope of this or subsequent applications should understand that broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in a case claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spite of any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there is no intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that in the absence of explicit statements, no such surrender or disclaimer is intended or should be considered as existing in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter.
- In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United
States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments. - Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.
- Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
Claims (21)
1. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system comprising:
at least one alternative electrical energy source having a DC photovoltaic output;
at least one photovoltaic DC-DC power converter responsive to said DC photovoltaic output and having a photovoltaic DC converter output;
a DC-AC inverter responsive to said photovoltaic DC converter output;
reactive inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry; and
a photovoltaic AC power output responsive to said photovoltaic DC-AC inverter.
2. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 wherein said reactive inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry comprises solar panel maximum power point independent inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry.
3. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 wherein said reactive inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry comprises inverter efficiency optimized converter control circuitry.
4. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 wherein said reactive inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry comprises inverter voltage input set point converter output voltage control circuitry.
5. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 4 wherein said inverter voltage input set point converter output voltage control circuitry comprises inverter sweet spot converter control circuitry.
6. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 5 wherein said inverter sweet spot converter control circuitry comprises photovoltaic inverter duty cycle switch control circuitry.
7. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 3 wherein said inverter efficiency optimized converter control circuitry comprises substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic inverter input control circuitry.
8. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 7 wherein said substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic inverter input control circuitry comprises substantially power isomorphic photovoltaic inverter duty cycle control circuitry.
9. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 3 wherein said inverter efficiency optimized converter control circuitry comprises inverter efficiency optimized converter control circuitry selected from a group consisting of:
at least about 97% efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 97.5% efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 98% efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 98.5% efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 97% up to about 99.2% efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 97.5% up to about 99.2% efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 98% up to about 99.2% efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 98.5% up to about 99.2% efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 97% up to about wire transmission loss efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 97.5% up to about wire transmission loss efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry,
at least about 98% up to about wire transmission loss efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry, and
at least about 98.5% up to about wire transmission loss efficient photovoltaic conversion circuitry.
10. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 wherein said at least one alternative electrical energy source comprises at least one solar cell.
11. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 wherein said at least one alternative electrical energy source comprises a plurality of electrically connected solar panels.
12. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic DC-DC power converter comprises at least one multimodal photovoltaic DC-DC power converter and further comprises multimodal converter functionality control circuitry.
13. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 and furthering comprising dynamically reactive internal output limited photovoltaic power control circuitry.
14. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 and further comprising inverter sourced photovoltaic power conversion output control circuitry.
15. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 further comprising inverter coordinated photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry.
16. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 and further comprising a solar power conversion comparator that indicates a solar energy parameter of a first power capability as compared to a second power capability.
17. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 and further comprising soft transition photovoltaic power conversion control circuitry.
18. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 wherein said reactive inverter input optimization photovoltaic power control circuitry comprises photovoltaic inverter duty cycle switch control circuitry.
19. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 and further comprising an AC power grid interface to which said AC power output supplies power.
20. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 1 wherein said DC-AC inverter comprises a high voltage DC-AC solar power inverter.
21. An inverter optimized renewable electrical energy power system as described in claim 20 wherein said photovoltaic AC power output comprises a three phase photovoltaic AC power output.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/346,532 US20120104864A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2012-01-09 | AC Power Systems for Renewable Electrical Energy |
US15/094,803 US20160226257A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2016-04-08 | Operationally Optimized Renewable Electrical Energy Power System |
US15/793,704 US10326283B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-10-25 | Converter intuitive photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US16/439,430 US11228182B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2019-06-12 | Converter disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US17/537,116 US12027867B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2021-11-29 | Coordinated converter reactively altering disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US98015707P | 2007-10-15 | 2007-10-15 | |
US98205307P | 2007-10-23 | 2007-10-23 | |
US98697907P | 2007-11-09 | 2007-11-09 | |
PCT/US2008/057105 WO2009051853A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-03-14 | Systems for highly efficient solar power |
PCT/US2008/060345 WO2009051854A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | Ac power systems for renewable electrical energy |
US68288210A | 2010-04-13 | 2010-04-13 | |
US13/346,532 US20120104864A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2012-01-09 | AC Power Systems for Renewable Electrical Energy |
Related Parent Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2008/060345 Continuation WO2009051854A1 (en) | 2007-02-15 | 2008-04-15 | Ac power systems for renewable electrical energy |
US12/682,882 Continuation US8093756B2 (en) | 2007-02-15 | 2008-04-15 | AC power systems for renewable electrical energy |
US68288210A Continuation | 2007-10-15 | 2010-04-13 |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/094,803 Continuation US20160226257A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2016-04-08 | Operationally Optimized Renewable Electrical Energy Power System |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120104864A1 true US20120104864A1 (en) | 2012-05-03 |
Family
ID=40567717
Family Applications (23)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/682,889 Active US7843085B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-03-14 | Systems for highly efficient solar power |
US12/682,882 Active US8093756B2 (en) | 2007-02-15 | 2008-04-15 | AC power systems for renewable electrical energy |
US12/682,559 Active US8242634B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-07-18 | High efficiency remotely controllable solar energy system |
US12/363,709 Active 2028-04-21 US7605498B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2009-01-30 | Systems for highly efficient solar power conversion |
US12/581,726 Active US7719140B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2009-10-19 | Systems for boundary controlled solar power conversion |
US12/955,704 Active US8004116B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2010-11-29 | Highly efficient solar power systems |
US13/192,329 Active US8304932B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2011-07-27 | Efficient solar energy power creation systems |
US13/275,147 Active US8482153B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2011-10-17 | Systems for optimized solar power inversion |
US13/346,532 Abandoned US20120104864A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2012-01-09 | AC Power Systems for Renewable Electrical Energy |
US13/934,102 Active 2029-03-06 US9438037B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2013-07-02 | Systems for optimized solar power inversion |
US15/094,803 Abandoned US20160226257A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2016-04-08 | Operationally Optimized Renewable Electrical Energy Power System |
US15/219,149 Active US9673630B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2016-07-25 | Protected conversion solar power system |
US15/612,892 Abandoned US20170271879A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-06-02 | Feedback Based Photovoltaic Conversion Systems |
US15/679,745 Active 2028-04-04 US10608437B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-08-17 | Feedback based photovoltaic conversion systems |
US15/793,704 Active US10326283B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-10-25 | Converter intuitive photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US16/439,430 Active US11228182B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2019-06-12 | Converter disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US16/834,639 Active US11070062B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2020-03-30 | Photovoltaic conversion systems |
US17/036,630 Active US10886746B1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2020-09-29 | Alternating conversion solar power system |
US17/063,669 Active US11070063B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2020-10-05 | Method for alternating conversion solar power |
US17/379,516 Active US11289917B1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2021-07-19 | Optimized photovoltaic conversion system |
US17/537,116 Active US12027867B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2021-11-29 | Coordinated converter reactively altering disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US17/706,194 Active US12027869B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2022-03-28 | Optimized photovoltaic conversion configuration |
US17/902,650 Active US12003110B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2022-09-02 | Optimized conversion system |
Family Applications Before (8)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/682,889 Active US7843085B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-03-14 | Systems for highly efficient solar power |
US12/682,882 Active US8093756B2 (en) | 2007-02-15 | 2008-04-15 | AC power systems for renewable electrical energy |
US12/682,559 Active US8242634B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-07-18 | High efficiency remotely controllable solar energy system |
US12/363,709 Active 2028-04-21 US7605498B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2009-01-30 | Systems for highly efficient solar power conversion |
US12/581,726 Active US7719140B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2009-10-19 | Systems for boundary controlled solar power conversion |
US12/955,704 Active US8004116B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2010-11-29 | Highly efficient solar power systems |
US13/192,329 Active US8304932B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2011-07-27 | Efficient solar energy power creation systems |
US13/275,147 Active US8482153B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2011-10-17 | Systems for optimized solar power inversion |
Family Applications After (14)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/934,102 Active 2029-03-06 US9438037B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2013-07-02 | Systems for optimized solar power inversion |
US15/094,803 Abandoned US20160226257A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2016-04-08 | Operationally Optimized Renewable Electrical Energy Power System |
US15/219,149 Active US9673630B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2016-07-25 | Protected conversion solar power system |
US15/612,892 Abandoned US20170271879A1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-06-02 | Feedback Based Photovoltaic Conversion Systems |
US15/679,745 Active 2028-04-04 US10608437B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-08-17 | Feedback based photovoltaic conversion systems |
US15/793,704 Active US10326283B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-10-25 | Converter intuitive photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US16/439,430 Active US11228182B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2019-06-12 | Converter disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US16/834,639 Active US11070062B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2020-03-30 | Photovoltaic conversion systems |
US17/036,630 Active US10886746B1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2020-09-29 | Alternating conversion solar power system |
US17/063,669 Active US11070063B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2020-10-05 | Method for alternating conversion solar power |
US17/379,516 Active US11289917B1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2021-07-19 | Optimized photovoltaic conversion system |
US17/537,116 Active US12027867B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2021-11-29 | Coordinated converter reactively altering disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US17/706,194 Active US12027869B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2022-03-28 | Optimized photovoltaic conversion configuration |
US17/902,650 Active US12003110B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2022-09-02 | Optimized conversion system |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (23) | US7843085B2 (en) |
EP (3) | EP3324505B1 (en) |
JP (3) | JP5498388B2 (en) |
CN (3) | CN101904073B (en) |
CA (2) | CA2737134C (en) |
HK (1) | HK1150684A1 (en) |
MX (2) | MX2010004129A (en) |
PL (1) | PL2212983T3 (en) |
WO (3) | WO2009051853A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9397497B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-07-19 | Ampt, Llc | High efficiency interleaved solar power supply system |
US9438037B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2016-09-06 | Ampt, Llc | Systems for optimized solar power inversion |
US9442504B2 (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2016-09-13 | Ampt, Llc | Methods and apparatus for adaptive operation of solar power systems |
US9466737B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2016-10-11 | Ampt, Llc | Solar panel string converter topology |
CN115800406A (en) * | 2023-02-08 | 2023-03-14 | 深圳市中旭新能源有限公司 | Intelligent automatic power limiting power optimization device, photovoltaic system and control method of photovoltaic system |
Families Citing this family (363)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1766490A4 (en) * | 2004-07-13 | 2007-12-05 | Univ Central Queensland | A device for distributed maximum power tracking for solar arrays |
US10693415B2 (en) * | 2007-12-05 | 2020-06-23 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Testing of a photovoltaic panel |
US11881814B2 (en) | 2005-12-05 | 2024-01-23 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Testing of a photovoltaic panel |
GB2454389B (en) | 2006-01-13 | 2009-08-26 | Enecsys Ltd | Power conditioning unit |
US8405367B2 (en) | 2006-01-13 | 2013-03-26 | Enecsys Limited | Power conditioning units |
US20070288265A1 (en) * | 2006-04-28 | 2007-12-13 | Thomas Quinian | Intelligent device and data network |
US8751053B2 (en) * | 2006-10-19 | 2014-06-10 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and system to provide a distributed local energy production system with high-voltage DC bus |
US11309832B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2022-04-19 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US8319483B2 (en) | 2007-08-06 | 2012-11-27 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Digital average input current control in power converter |
US11735910B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2023-08-22 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power system using direct current power sources |
US8816535B2 (en) | 2007-10-10 | 2014-08-26 | Solaredge Technologies, Ltd. | System and method for protection during inverter shutdown in distributed power installations |
US8013472B2 (en) * | 2006-12-06 | 2011-09-06 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Method for distributed power harvesting using DC power sources |
US8319471B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2012-11-27 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Battery power delivery module |
US11855231B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2023-12-26 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US8618692B2 (en) | 2007-12-04 | 2013-12-31 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power system using direct current power sources |
US8947194B2 (en) | 2009-05-26 | 2015-02-03 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Theft detection and prevention in a power generation system |
US9088178B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2015-07-21 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US11687112B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2023-06-27 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US9112379B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2015-08-18 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Pairing of components in a direct current distributed power generation system |
US8384243B2 (en) | 2007-12-04 | 2013-02-26 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US9130401B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2015-09-08 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US11569659B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2023-01-31 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US11296650B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2022-04-05 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | System and method for protection during inverter shutdown in distributed power installations |
US8963369B2 (en) | 2007-12-04 | 2015-02-24 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US8473250B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2013-06-25 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Monitoring of distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US11888387B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2024-01-30 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Safety mechanisms, wake up and shutdown methods in distributed power installations |
US11728768B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2023-08-15 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Pairing of components in a direct current distributed power generation system |
US9172296B2 (en) * | 2007-05-23 | 2015-10-27 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Common mode filter system and method for a solar power inverter |
US8697980B2 (en) * | 2007-06-19 | 2014-04-15 | Hanergy Holding Group Ltd. | Photovoltaic module utilizing an integrated flex circuit and incorporating a bypass diode |
US8203069B2 (en) * | 2007-08-03 | 2012-06-19 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc | System, method, and apparatus for coupling photovoltaic arrays |
WO2009055474A1 (en) | 2007-10-23 | 2009-04-30 | And, Llc | High reliability power systems and solar power converters |
US11228278B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2022-01-18 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for enhanced watch dog in solar panel installations |
US7884278B2 (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2011-02-08 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems |
US7602080B1 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2009-10-13 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods to balance solar panels in a multi-panel system |
US8933321B2 (en) * | 2009-02-05 | 2015-01-13 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for an enhanced watchdog in solar module installations |
US9218013B2 (en) | 2007-11-14 | 2015-12-22 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and system for connecting solar cells or slices in a panel system |
US8294451B2 (en) * | 2007-12-03 | 2012-10-23 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Smart sensors for solar panels |
WO2009072075A2 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Photovoltaic system power tracking method |
WO2009072077A1 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Meir Adest | Testing of a photovoltaic panel |
JP2011507465A (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2011-03-03 | ソラレッジ テクノロジーズ リミテッド | Safety mechanism, wake-up method and shutdown method in distributed power installation |
WO2009073867A1 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Parallel connected inverters |
US11264947B2 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2022-03-01 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Testing of a photovoltaic panel |
US8049523B2 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2011-11-01 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Current sensing on a MOSFET |
US7898112B2 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2011-03-01 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Apparatuses and methods to connect power sources to an electric power system |
US7964837B2 (en) * | 2007-12-31 | 2011-06-21 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Photovoltaic inverter interface device, system, and method |
ITVA20080002A1 (en) * | 2008-01-10 | 2009-07-11 | St Microelectronics Srl | PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM WITH MULTICELLULAR PANELS WITH MULTIPLATE DC-DC CONVERSION FOR CELL GROUPS IN SERIES OF EACH PANEL AND PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL STRUCTURE |
US9418864B2 (en) | 2008-01-30 | 2016-08-16 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Method of forming a non volatile memory device using wet etching |
US20090234692A1 (en) * | 2008-03-13 | 2009-09-17 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and System for Configuring Solar Energy Systems |
EP4145691A1 (en) | 2008-03-24 | 2023-03-08 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Switch mode converter including auxiliary commutation circuit for achieving zero current switching |
US8154892B2 (en) * | 2008-04-02 | 2012-04-10 | Arraypower, Inc. | Method for controlling electrical power |
US8289183B1 (en) | 2008-04-25 | 2012-10-16 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | System and method for solar panel array analysis |
EP2294669B8 (en) | 2008-05-05 | 2016-12-07 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Direct current power combiner |
US9077206B2 (en) * | 2008-05-14 | 2015-07-07 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Method and system for activating and deactivating an energy generating system |
US8279644B2 (en) * | 2008-05-14 | 2012-10-02 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Method and system for providing maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system |
US8139382B2 (en) * | 2008-05-14 | 2012-03-20 | National Semiconductor Corporation | System and method for integrating local maximum power point tracking into an energy generating system having centralized maximum power point tracking |
JP2011522505A (en) * | 2008-05-14 | 2011-07-28 | ナショナル セミコンダクタ コーポレイション | System and method for an array of multiple intelligent inverters |
KR100993108B1 (en) * | 2008-05-30 | 2010-11-08 | 군산대학교산학협력단 | A grid-interactive photovoltaic generation system with power quality control and energy saving |
US20090315336A1 (en) * | 2008-06-23 | 2009-12-24 | Hudson Worthington Harr | Renewable energy generation system |
US8098055B2 (en) * | 2008-08-01 | 2012-01-17 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Step-up converter systems and methods |
US7619200B1 (en) * | 2008-08-10 | 2009-11-17 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Device system and method for coupling multiple photovoltaic arrays |
US8461508B2 (en) | 2008-08-10 | 2013-06-11 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Device, system, and method for sectioning and coupling multiple photovoltaic strings |
US8401706B2 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2013-03-19 | ETM Electromatic | Networked multi-inverter maximum power-point tracking |
US20100071310A1 (en) | 2008-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | Joe Brescia | Method of Assembling Building Integrated Photovoltaic Conversion System |
US7768155B2 (en) * | 2008-10-10 | 2010-08-03 | Enphase Energy, Inc. | Method and apparatus for improved burst mode during power conversion |
DE102008053702A1 (en) * | 2008-10-29 | 2010-05-06 | Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg | Circuit arrangement for the protection of electronic devices against faulty logic voltages |
DK176983B1 (en) * | 2008-11-07 | 2010-09-20 | Danfoss Solar Inverters As | Photovoltaic power plant |
WO2010056775A1 (en) * | 2008-11-11 | 2010-05-20 | Pv Powered, Inc. | System and method of determining maximum power point tracking for a solar power inverter |
US8653689B2 (en) * | 2008-11-12 | 2014-02-18 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and system for current-mode power line communications |
US8325059B2 (en) * | 2008-11-12 | 2012-12-04 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and system for cost-effective power line communications for sensor data collection |
US10153383B2 (en) * | 2008-11-21 | 2018-12-11 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Solar string power point optimization |
US8860241B2 (en) * | 2008-11-26 | 2014-10-14 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for using a power converter for transmission of data over the power feed |
US8362644B2 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2013-01-29 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Device, system, and method for managing an application of power from photovoltaic arrays |
US8212408B2 (en) * | 2008-12-24 | 2012-07-03 | Alencon Acquisition Co., Llc. | Collection of electric power from renewable energy sources via high voltage, direct current systems with conversion and supply to an alternating current transmission network |
US20100156188A1 (en) * | 2008-12-24 | 2010-06-24 | Fishman Oleg S | Solar Photovoltaic Power Collection via High Voltage, Direct Current Systems with Conversion and Supply to an Alternating Current Transmission Network |
US8352091B2 (en) | 2009-01-02 | 2013-01-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Distributed grid-interactive photovoltaic-based power dispatching |
CN102368930A (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2012-03-07 | 菲斯科汽车公司 | Solar power charge and distribution for a vehicle |
US8648497B2 (en) * | 2009-01-30 | 2014-02-11 | Renewable Power Conversion, Inc. | Photovoltaic power plant with distributed DC-to-DC power converters |
US8058752B2 (en) * | 2009-02-13 | 2011-11-15 | Miasole | Thin-film photovoltaic power element with integrated low-profile high-efficiency DC-DC converter |
US20100206378A1 (en) * | 2009-02-13 | 2010-08-19 | Miasole | Thin-film photovoltaic power system with integrated low-profile high-efficiency inverter |
US20100301670A1 (en) * | 2009-03-01 | 2010-12-02 | William Wilhelm | Dc peak power tracking devices, methods, and systems |
US9401439B2 (en) | 2009-03-25 | 2016-07-26 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Enhanced systems and methods for using a power converter for balancing modules in single-string and multi-string configurations |
CN102484364B (en) * | 2009-04-17 | 2016-04-13 | 美国国家半导体公司 | By distributed MPPT maximum power point tracking, photovoltaic system is carried out to the system and method for overvoltage protection |
CN102460878B (en) * | 2009-04-17 | 2015-12-16 | 美国国家半导体公司 | For the system and method for overvoltage protection in photovoltaic system |
CA2762184A1 (en) | 2009-05-12 | 2010-11-18 | Icr Turbine Engine Corporation | Gas turbine energy storage and conversion system |
US20100288327A1 (en) * | 2009-05-13 | 2010-11-18 | National Semiconductor Corporation | System and method for over-Voltage protection of a photovoltaic string with distributed maximum power point tracking |
EP2602831B1 (en) | 2009-05-22 | 2014-07-16 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Electrically isolated heat dissipating junction box |
US20100301676A1 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2010-12-02 | General Electric Company | Solar power generation system including weatherable units including photovoltaic modules and isolated power converters |
DE102009024212B4 (en) * | 2009-06-08 | 2012-03-01 | Adensis Gmbh | Method and device for avoiding an impending reduction in the feed-in power of a photovoltaic system and use of a device for carrying out the method |
KR101344024B1 (en) * | 2009-06-18 | 2013-12-24 | 한국전자통신연구원 | Maximum power tracking device using orthogonal perturbation signal and maximum power tracking control method thereof |
US8039730B2 (en) | 2009-06-18 | 2011-10-18 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for prevention of open loop damage during or immediately after manufacturing |
US8954203B2 (en) * | 2009-06-24 | 2015-02-10 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for distributed power factor correction and phase balancing |
US8405349B2 (en) * | 2009-06-25 | 2013-03-26 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Enhanced battery storage and recovery energy systems |
US8239149B2 (en) * | 2009-06-25 | 2012-08-07 | Array Power, Inc. | Method for determining the operating condition of a photovoltaic panel |
DE102009027991A1 (en) * | 2009-07-24 | 2011-01-27 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Power supply assembly |
US9312697B2 (en) * | 2009-07-30 | 2016-04-12 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for addressing solar energy production capacity loss due to field buildup between cells and glass and frame assembly |
US8102074B2 (en) * | 2009-07-30 | 2012-01-24 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and method for limiting maximum voltage in solar photovoltaic power generation systems |
ATE555531T1 (en) * | 2009-08-06 | 2012-05-15 | Sma Solar Technology Ag | RETURN CURRENT SENSOR FOR PARALLEL CONNECTED SOLAR MODULES |
US8099197B2 (en) * | 2009-08-18 | 2012-01-17 | Enphase Energy, Inc. | Method and system for distributed energy generator message aggregation |
US8314375B2 (en) | 2009-08-21 | 2012-11-20 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for local string management unit |
US20110048502A1 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2011-03-03 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and Methods of Photovoltaic Cogeneration |
US9143036B2 (en) * | 2009-09-02 | 2015-09-22 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for enhanced efficiency auxiliary power supply module |
US8482156B2 (en) | 2009-09-09 | 2013-07-09 | Array Power, Inc. | Three phase power generation from a plurality of direct current sources |
MX2012003417A (en) * | 2009-09-21 | 2013-05-30 | Renewable Energy Solution Systems | Solar power distribution system. |
US9035497B2 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2015-05-19 | University Of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing an electrical energy system |
US9324885B2 (en) * | 2009-10-02 | 2016-04-26 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide enhanced diode bypass paths |
US8258644B2 (en) * | 2009-10-12 | 2012-09-04 | Kaplan A Morris | Apparatus for harvesting energy from flow-induced oscillations and method for the same |
US20110084646A1 (en) * | 2009-10-14 | 2011-04-14 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Off-grid led street lighting system with multiple panel-storage matching |
US8859884B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2014-10-14 | Helios Focus Llc | Solar photovoltaic module safety shutdown system |
US9941421B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2018-04-10 | Helios Focus Llc | Solar photovaltaic module rapid shutdown and safety system |
US10121913B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2018-11-06 | Helios Focus Llc | Solar photovoltaic module safety shutdown system |
RU2012121259A (en) * | 2009-10-29 | 2013-12-10 | УОТТС энд МОР ЛТД. | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY GATHERING |
US8421400B1 (en) | 2009-10-30 | 2013-04-16 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Solar-powered battery charger and related system and method |
EP2325984A1 (en) * | 2009-11-24 | 2011-05-25 | SMA Solar Technology AG | Start up of a photovoltiac field with high open circuit voltage |
US8710699B2 (en) | 2009-12-01 | 2014-04-29 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Dual use photovoltaic system |
KR101311528B1 (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2013-09-25 | 한국전자통신연구원 | Device and Method for Tracing Maximum Power of Solar Cell |
GB2476508B (en) * | 2009-12-23 | 2013-08-21 | Control Tech Ltd | Voltage compensation for photovoltaic generator systems |
US8773236B2 (en) * | 2009-12-29 | 2014-07-08 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for a communication protocol between a local controller and a master controller |
US8854193B2 (en) | 2009-12-29 | 2014-10-07 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for remote or local shut-off of a photovoltaic system |
US20110156484A1 (en) * | 2009-12-30 | 2011-06-30 | Du Pont Apollo Ltd. | Reliable photovoltaic power system employing smart virtual low voltage photovoltaic modules |
CN102118043B (en) * | 2009-12-31 | 2013-12-04 | 比亚迪股份有限公司 | Solar charger for charging power battery |
US8271599B2 (en) | 2010-01-08 | 2012-09-18 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for an identification protocol between a local controller and a master controller in a photovoltaic power generation system |
US8766696B2 (en) | 2010-01-27 | 2014-07-01 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Fast voltage level shifter circuit |
US9142960B2 (en) * | 2010-02-03 | 2015-09-22 | Draker, Inc. | Constraint weighted regulation of DC/DC converters |
TWI394349B (en) * | 2010-02-05 | 2013-04-21 | Univ Nat Chiao Tung | Solar power management system with maximum power tracking |
CN102148508B (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2013-10-16 | 南京冠亚电源设备有限公司 | Application of power combination technology based on phase shift pulse-width modulation (PMW) control policy in photovoltaic grid-connected system |
US8502129B2 (en) * | 2010-02-16 | 2013-08-06 | Western Gas And Electric, Inc. | Integrated remotely controlled photovoltaic system |
US8432143B2 (en) * | 2010-02-16 | 2013-04-30 | Femtogrid Energy Solutions B.V. | Electrically parallel connection of photovoltaic modules in a string to provide a DC voltage to a DC voltage bus |
WO2011101916A1 (en) * | 2010-02-19 | 2011-08-25 | オーナンバ株式会社 | Method for detecting failure of photovoltaic power system |
US8866334B2 (en) | 2010-03-02 | 2014-10-21 | Icr Turbine Engine Corporation | Dispatchable power from a renewable energy facility |
CN101771294B (en) | 2010-03-05 | 2012-08-15 | 矽力杰半导体技术(杭州)有限公司 | Integrated drive control circuit and control method thereof |
US9425783B2 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2016-08-23 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide enhanced diode bypass paths |
US8922061B2 (en) * | 2010-03-22 | 2014-12-30 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for detecting and correcting a suboptimal operation of one or more inverters in a multi-inverter system |
DE102010013138A1 (en) * | 2010-03-27 | 2011-09-29 | Semikron Elektronik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Circuit arrangement and method for generating an AC voltage from a plurality of voltage sources with time-varying DC output voltage |
FR2958454B1 (en) * | 2010-03-30 | 2013-11-29 | Fabrice Pierron | IMPROVED PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE |
US20110241433A1 (en) * | 2010-03-30 | 2011-10-06 | General Electric Company | Dc transmission system for remote solar farms |
FR2958462B1 (en) * | 2010-03-31 | 2012-11-16 | Inst Polytechnique Grenoble | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A SERIAL ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTS OF GENERATION OR STORAGE OF ELECTRIC ENERGY BASED ON A PLURALITY OF CURRENT INVERTER ARMS |
US9312399B2 (en) | 2010-04-02 | 2016-04-12 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for mapping the connectivity topology of local management units in photovoltaic arrays |
CN101860267B (en) * | 2010-04-13 | 2012-11-21 | 重庆大学 | Building method for photovoltaic power generation control system |
EP2561596B1 (en) | 2010-04-22 | 2019-05-22 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for enhanced watch dog in solar panel installations |
US9007210B2 (en) | 2010-04-22 | 2015-04-14 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Enhanced system and method for theft prevention in a solar power array during nonoperative periods |
EP2538300B1 (en) * | 2010-05-12 | 2015-07-08 | Omron Corporation | Voltage conversion device, voltage conversion method, solar power generation system, and management device |
US9116537B2 (en) | 2010-05-21 | 2015-08-25 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Thermophotovoltaic energy generation |
GB2482653B (en) | 2010-06-07 | 2012-08-29 | Enecsys Ltd | Solar photovoltaic systems |
US9225261B2 (en) | 2010-06-09 | 2015-12-29 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method for use of static inverters in variable energy generation environments |
US8984895B2 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2015-03-24 | Icr Turbine Engine Corporation | Metallic ceramic spool for a gas turbine engine |
WO2012008941A1 (en) * | 2010-07-11 | 2012-01-19 | Array Converter, Inc. | Method for determining the operating condition of a photovoltaic panel |
EP2408096A1 (en) * | 2010-07-12 | 2012-01-18 | ABB Oy | Current-fed converter with quadratic conversion ratio |
EP2408097A1 (en) * | 2010-07-12 | 2012-01-18 | ABB Oy | Current-fed converter |
CN101917016B (en) * | 2010-07-21 | 2012-10-31 | 北京交通大学 | Energy-saving type cascade multilevel photovoltaic grid-connected generating control system |
KR101110324B1 (en) | 2010-08-09 | 2012-02-15 | (주)대마이엔지 | Matching System Of Digital Electronic Watt-Hour Meter For Quantitative Transmission Of Solar Cell Generation |
US9331499B2 (en) | 2010-08-18 | 2016-05-03 | Volterra Semiconductor LLC | System, method, module, and energy exchanger for optimizing output of series-connected photovoltaic and electrochemical devices |
US9035626B2 (en) | 2010-08-18 | 2015-05-19 | Volterra Semiconductor Corporation | Switching circuits for extracting power from an electric power source and associated methods |
FR2964264A1 (en) * | 2010-08-24 | 2012-03-02 | Solairemed | PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING ELECTRIC POWER EQUAL TO A PREDETERMINED VALUE. |
US8358489B2 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2013-01-22 | International Rectifier Corporation | Smart photovoltaic panel and method for regulating power using same |
CA2813680A1 (en) | 2010-09-03 | 2012-03-08 | Icr Turbine Engine Corporation | Gas turbine engine configurations |
US10847972B2 (en) * | 2010-09-23 | 2020-11-24 | Hybridyne Power Electronics Inc. | Method and system for optimizing power generated by a photovoltaic system |
US20120080943A1 (en) * | 2010-09-30 | 2012-04-05 | Astec International Limited | Photovoltaic Power Systems |
US20120109389A1 (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2012-05-03 | Redwood Systems, Inc. | Distributed power point control |
US10673222B2 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2020-06-02 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Arc detection and prevention in a power generation system |
GB2485527B (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2012-12-19 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Arc detection and prevention in a power generation system |
US10673229B2 (en) | 2010-11-09 | 2020-06-02 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Arc detection and prevention in a power generation system |
US10230310B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2019-03-12 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Safety switch for photovoltaic systems |
US9118213B2 (en) | 2010-11-24 | 2015-08-25 | Kohler Co. | Portal for harvesting energy from distributed electrical power sources |
GB2486408A (en) | 2010-12-09 | 2012-06-20 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Disconnection of a string carrying direct current |
CN102570868B (en) | 2010-12-22 | 2015-04-01 | 通用电气公司 | System and method for power conversion |
DE102010055550A1 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2012-06-28 | Sma Solar Technology Ag | Inverter, power plant and method of operating a power plant |
GB2496140B (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2016-05-04 | Solarcity Corp | Photovoltaic power conditioning units |
GB2483317B (en) | 2011-01-12 | 2012-08-22 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Serially connected inverters |
WO2012099705A2 (en) | 2011-01-17 | 2012-07-26 | Kent Kernahan | Idealized solar panel |
US9366714B2 (en) | 2011-01-21 | 2016-06-14 | Ampt, Llc | Abnormality detection architecture and methods for photovoltaic systems |
US8716999B2 (en) * | 2011-02-10 | 2014-05-06 | Draker, Inc. | Dynamic frequency and pulse-width modulation of dual-mode switching power controllers in photovoltaic arrays |
DE102011011602A1 (en) * | 2011-02-17 | 2012-08-23 | Texas Instruments Deutschland Gmbh | An electronic device for optimizing the output power of a solar cell and method for operating the electronic device |
US9043039B2 (en) | 2011-02-24 | 2015-05-26 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for arc detection and intervention in solar energy systems |
US8841916B2 (en) | 2011-02-28 | 2014-09-23 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for flash bypass |
US9024478B2 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2015-05-05 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Photovoltaic energy extraction with multilevel output DC-DC switched capacitor converters |
US8744791B1 (en) * | 2011-03-22 | 2014-06-03 | Sunpower Corporation | Automatic generation and analysis of solar cell IV curves |
US8829715B2 (en) | 2011-04-29 | 2014-09-09 | General Electric Company | Switching coordination of distributed dc-dc converters for highly efficient photovoltaic power plants |
CN102148509A (en) * | 2011-05-13 | 2011-08-10 | 王红卫 | Grid-connected inverter for optimizing minimum unit of solar cell |
US9051873B2 (en) | 2011-05-20 | 2015-06-09 | Icr Turbine Engine Corporation | Ceramic-to-metal turbine shaft attachment |
US9577425B1 (en) * | 2011-05-23 | 2017-02-21 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Alabama | Systems and methods for controlling power switching converters for photovoltaic panels |
US20120310427A1 (en) * | 2011-05-31 | 2012-12-06 | Williams B Jeffery | Automatic Monitoring and Adjustment of a Solar Panel Array |
CN103597363A (en) * | 2011-07-04 | 2014-02-19 | Sma太阳能技术股份公司 | Method and system for detecting an arc fault in a photovoltaic power system |
US8922185B2 (en) * | 2011-07-11 | 2014-12-30 | Solarbridge Technologies, Inc. | Device and method for global maximum power point tracking |
US9431825B2 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2016-08-30 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods to reduce the number and cost of management units of distributed power generators |
US9368965B2 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2016-06-14 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Enhanced system and method for string-balancing |
US9142965B2 (en) | 2011-07-28 | 2015-09-22 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods to combine strings of solar panels |
EP2748916B1 (en) | 2011-08-22 | 2016-04-13 | Franklin Electric Company Inc. | Power conversion system |
US8570005B2 (en) | 2011-09-12 | 2013-10-29 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Direct current link circuit |
US8810069B2 (en) | 2011-09-21 | 2014-08-19 | Eaton Corporation | System and method for maximizing power output of photovoltaic strings |
US20130082724A1 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-04-04 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Pv panel diagnosis device, diagnosis method and diagnosis program |
US9136732B2 (en) * | 2011-10-15 | 2015-09-15 | James F Wolter | Distributed energy storage and power quality control in photovoltaic arrays |
US8982591B2 (en) | 2011-10-18 | 2015-03-17 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for exchangeable capacitor modules for high power inverters and converters |
EP2771754B1 (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2019-08-07 | Cameron, D. Kevin | Power conditioning circuit to maximize power delivered by a non-linear generator |
US8508074B2 (en) | 2011-10-28 | 2013-08-13 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | System and method for optimizing solar power conversion |
US9837556B2 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2017-12-05 | Volterra Semiconductor LLC | Integrated photovoltaic panel with sectional maximum power point tracking |
GB2496139B (en) * | 2011-11-01 | 2016-05-04 | Solarcity Corp | Photovoltaic power conditioning units |
WO2013064828A1 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2013-05-10 | Enecsys Limited | Photovoltaic power conditioning units |
WO2013067429A1 (en) | 2011-11-03 | 2013-05-10 | Arraypower, Inc. | Direct current to alternating current conversion utilizing intermediate phase modulation |
JP6124909B2 (en) * | 2011-11-21 | 2017-05-10 | ジニアテック リミテッド | Single-phase inverter controlled cooperatively to supply single-phase, two-phase or three-phase unipolar electricity |
US8793028B2 (en) * | 2011-11-21 | 2014-07-29 | General Electric Company | System and method for determining potential power of inverters during curtailment mode |
GB2498365A (en) | 2012-01-11 | 2013-07-17 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Photovoltaic module |
US9478989B2 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2016-10-25 | Infineon Technologies Austria Ag | Power converter circuit with AC output |
US9461474B2 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2016-10-04 | Infineon Technologies Austria Ag | Power converter circuit with AC output |
US9425622B2 (en) | 2013-01-08 | 2016-08-23 | Infineon Technologies Austria Ag | Power converter circuit with AC output and at least one transformer |
US9401663B2 (en) | 2012-12-21 | 2016-07-26 | Infineon Technologies Austria Ag | Power converter circuit with AC output |
KR101835662B1 (en) * | 2012-01-17 | 2018-03-08 | 인피니언 테크놀로지스 오스트리아 아게 | Power converter circuit, power supply system and method |
US9484746B2 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2016-11-01 | Infineon Technologies Austria Ag | Power converter circuit with AC output |
GB2498790A (en) | 2012-01-30 | 2013-07-31 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Maximising power in a photovoltaic distributed power system |
US9853565B2 (en) | 2012-01-30 | 2017-12-26 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Maximized power in a photovoltaic distributed power system |
GB2498791A (en) | 2012-01-30 | 2013-07-31 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Photovoltaic panel circuitry |
GB2499991A (en) | 2012-03-05 | 2013-09-11 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | DC link circuit for photovoltaic array |
US8924169B1 (en) | 2012-03-29 | 2014-12-30 | Ampt, Llc | Electrical arc detection methods and apparatus |
WO2013145262A1 (en) * | 2012-03-30 | 2013-10-03 | 東芝三菱電機産業システム株式会社 | Power conversion device |
US9523723B2 (en) | 2012-04-09 | 2016-12-20 | Utah State University | Fractional order power point tracking |
US9870016B2 (en) | 2012-05-25 | 2018-01-16 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Circuit for interconnected direct current power sources |
US10115841B2 (en) | 2012-06-04 | 2018-10-30 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Integrated photovoltaic panel circuitry |
US9300140B2 (en) | 2012-06-28 | 2016-03-29 | General Electric Company | System and method for design and optimization of grid connected photovoltaic power plant with multiple photovoltaic module technologies |
US10094288B2 (en) | 2012-07-24 | 2018-10-09 | Icr Turbine Engine Corporation | Ceramic-to-metal turbine volute attachment for a gas turbine engine |
CN102820769B (en) * | 2012-08-15 | 2014-08-13 | 武汉理工大学 | Control method for inhibiting self-adaption waveform of inversion system low-frequency ripple |
US9024640B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2015-05-05 | Eaton Corporation | Active diagnostics and ground fault detection on photovoltaic strings |
EP2896100A4 (en) | 2012-09-11 | 2016-04-20 | Enphase Energy Inc | Method and apparatus for bidirectional power production in a power module |
US9141123B2 (en) | 2012-10-16 | 2015-09-22 | Volterra Semiconductor LLC | Maximum power point tracking controllers and associated systems and methods |
US10122320B2 (en) * | 2012-10-26 | 2018-11-06 | Sunculture Solar, Inc. | Solar panel personality engine |
US9444397B2 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2016-09-13 | Sunculture Solar, Inc. | Integrated solar panel |
US9948139B2 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2018-04-17 | Solpad, Inc. | Solar power generation, distribution, and communication system |
US9620993B2 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2017-04-11 | Solpad, Inc. | Auto-synchronous isolated inlet power converter |
US9780253B2 (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2017-10-03 | Sunpower Corporation | Shingled solar cell module |
USD933584S1 (en) | 2012-11-08 | 2021-10-19 | Sunpower Corporation | Solar panel |
US10090430B2 (en) | 2014-05-27 | 2018-10-02 | Sunpower Corporation | System for manufacturing a shingled solar cell module |
US9947820B2 (en) | 2014-05-27 | 2018-04-17 | Sunpower Corporation | Shingled solar cell panel employing hidden taps |
USD1009775S1 (en) | 2014-10-15 | 2024-01-02 | Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd. | Solar panel |
CN103023320B (en) | 2012-11-23 | 2014-09-03 | 矽力杰半导体技术(杭州)有限公司 | High-efficiency bidirectional direct current converter and control method thereof |
US9081407B2 (en) | 2012-12-21 | 2015-07-14 | General Electric Company | Voltage regulation system and method |
US9488968B2 (en) | 2013-01-15 | 2016-11-08 | Wovn, Inc. | Energy distribution system and related methods, devices, and systems |
CN103095181A (en) * | 2013-01-28 | 2013-05-08 | 西安交通大学 | Single-inductor intelligent photovoltaic module and control method and photovoltaic system based on single-inductor intelligent photovoltaic module |
WO2014131028A1 (en) * | 2013-02-25 | 2014-08-28 | Enphase Energy, Inc. | Method and apparatus for reactive power capable inverters |
US20190335601A1 (en) * | 2013-03-12 | 2019-10-31 | Chuck McCune | Pv stax - multi-function junction mf/j system |
US10143101B2 (en) | 2013-03-12 | 2018-11-27 | Chuck McCune | PV stax—multi-function junction MF/J system |
US9791835B2 (en) | 2013-03-12 | 2017-10-17 | Chuck McCune | PV stop potential voltage and hazard stop system |
US9548619B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2017-01-17 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Method and apparatus for storing and depleting energy |
US9941813B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2018-04-10 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | High frequency multi-level inverter |
US20140278709A1 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2014-09-18 | Combined Energies LLC | Intelligent CCHP System |
US9413271B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2016-08-09 | Combined Energies, Llc | Power conversion system with a DC to DC boost converter |
EP2779250A3 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2015-04-29 | Solantro Semiconductor Corp. | Photovoltaic bypass and output switching |
US9728964B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-08-08 | Vivint, Inc. | Power production monitoring or control |
US9524832B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-12-20 | Solantro Semiconductor Corp | Intelligent safety disconnect switching |
EP2973982B1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2021-05-05 | Ampt, Llc | High efficiency interleaved solar power supply system |
EP3506370B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2023-12-20 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Bypass mechanism |
US10193347B2 (en) | 2013-03-29 | 2019-01-29 | Enphase Energy, Inc. | Method and apparatus for improved burst mode during power conversion |
US9523724B2 (en) | 2013-04-05 | 2016-12-20 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Tracking energy consumption using a boost technique |
US10784815B2 (en) | 2013-04-13 | 2020-09-22 | Sigmagen, Inc. | Solar photovoltaic module remote access module switch and real-time temperature monitoring |
US20150349708A1 (en) * | 2013-04-13 | 2015-12-03 | Solexel, Inc. | Solar photovoltaic module power control and status monitoring system utilizing laminate-embedded remote access module switch |
US9231476B2 (en) | 2013-05-01 | 2016-01-05 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Tracking energy consumption using a boost-buck technique |
WO2014182793A1 (en) * | 2013-05-07 | 2014-11-13 | University Of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc. | Power inverter implementing phase skipping control |
ITPI20130045A1 (en) * | 2013-05-28 | 2014-11-29 | Alessandro Caraglio | DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPTIMIZATION OF ENERGY PRODUCED BY PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS. |
US9780234B2 (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2017-10-03 | Solantro Semiconductor Corp. | Photovoltaic bypass and output switching |
US9270164B2 (en) | 2013-06-19 | 2016-02-23 | Tmeic Corporation | Methods, systems, computer program products, and devices for renewable energy site power limit control |
US9780645B2 (en) * | 2013-06-25 | 2017-10-03 | Enphase Energy, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing power conversion using an interleaved flyback converter with reactive power control |
US20140373894A1 (en) * | 2013-06-25 | 2014-12-25 | Volterra Semiconductor Corporation | Photovoltaic Panels Having Electrical Arc Detection Capability, And Associated Systems And Methods |
TWI470396B (en) | 2013-06-26 | 2015-01-21 | Ind Tech Res Inst | Power point tracking method and apparatus |
US9728974B2 (en) | 2013-10-10 | 2017-08-08 | Tmeic Corporation | Renewable energy site reactive power control |
TWI505061B (en) * | 2013-11-15 | 2015-10-21 | Inst Information Industry | Power generation control system, method and non-transitory computer readable storage medium of the same |
CN103715983B (en) * | 2013-12-26 | 2016-03-30 | 广东易事特电源股份有限公司 | The failure detector of solar power system and method |
CN103809650B (en) * | 2014-02-27 | 2016-01-06 | 华北电力大学(保定) | A kind of equivalent modeling method of photovoltaic generating system |
NZ722832A (en) * | 2014-03-03 | 2017-12-22 | Solarlytics Inc | Method and system for applying electric fields to multiple solar panels |
US9318974B2 (en) | 2014-03-26 | 2016-04-19 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Multi-level inverter with flying capacitor topology |
CN105024639A (en) * | 2014-04-22 | 2015-11-04 | 江苏通灵电器股份有限公司 | Photovoltaic assembly main loop protecting method |
SE539036C2 (en) * | 2014-04-30 | 2017-03-28 | Solarus Sunpower Sweden Ab | Photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector |
US10770893B2 (en) | 2014-05-02 | 2020-09-08 | The Governing Council Of The University Of Toronto | Multi-port converter structure for DC/DC power conversion |
US10291123B2 (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2019-05-14 | The Governing Council Of The University Of Toronto | Multi-port converter structure for DC/DC power conversion |
KR101561640B1 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2015-10-30 | (주)알티에스에너지 | Micro converter device using power deviation handling of needless high-voltage DC-DC converter and control method thereof |
US11482639B2 (en) | 2014-05-27 | 2022-10-25 | Sunpower Corporation | Shingled solar cell module |
US11949026B2 (en) | 2014-05-27 | 2024-04-02 | Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd. | Shingled solar cell module |
US9287701B2 (en) | 2014-07-22 | 2016-03-15 | Richard H. Sherratt and Susan B. Sherratt Revocable Trust Fund | DC energy transfer apparatus, applications, components, and methods |
CN104143958A (en) * | 2014-07-29 | 2014-11-12 | 北京市意耐特科技有限公司 | Photovoltaic active safety system |
CN104167980B (en) * | 2014-08-28 | 2017-10-27 | 常州天合光能有限公司 | Photovoltaic system with intelligent turn-off function |
US20160079761A1 (en) * | 2014-09-15 | 2016-03-17 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | System and method for power point tracking for photovoltaic cells |
TWI533579B (en) | 2014-10-01 | 2016-05-11 | 財團法人工業技術研究院 | Output power adjusting method for inverter |
US10607162B2 (en) * | 2014-10-09 | 2020-03-31 | FTC Solar, Inc. | Methods and systems for schedule-based and alert-based cleaning of PV systems |
USD933585S1 (en) | 2014-10-15 | 2021-10-19 | Sunpower Corporation | Solar panel |
USD913210S1 (en) | 2014-10-15 | 2021-03-16 | Sunpower Corporation | Solar panel |
USD999723S1 (en) | 2014-10-15 | 2023-09-26 | Sunpower Corporation | Solar panel |
USD896747S1 (en) | 2014-10-15 | 2020-09-22 | Sunpower Corporation | Solar panel |
US10218307B2 (en) | 2014-12-02 | 2019-02-26 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Solar panel junction boxes having integrated function modules |
WO2016100474A1 (en) | 2014-12-16 | 2016-06-23 | Abb Technology Ag | Energy panel arrangement power dissipation |
US10348094B2 (en) | 2015-01-28 | 2019-07-09 | Abb Schweiz Ag | Energy panel arrangement shutdown |
AU2016219770A1 (en) | 2015-02-22 | 2017-09-07 | Abb Schweiz Ag | Photovoltaic string reverse polarity detection |
JP6396236B2 (en) * | 2015-02-24 | 2018-09-26 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | PV power converter |
KR101705255B1 (en) * | 2015-03-11 | 2017-03-07 | (주)알티에스에너지 | Micro convertor device using photovoltaic system |
US10861999B2 (en) | 2015-04-21 | 2020-12-08 | Sunpower Corporation | Shingled solar cell module comprising hidden tap interconnects |
US9436201B1 (en) | 2015-06-12 | 2016-09-06 | KarmSolar | System and method for maintaining a photovoltaic power source at a maximum power point |
US10187115B2 (en) | 2015-07-13 | 2019-01-22 | Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | Systems and methods for DC power line communication in a photovoltaic system |
US10230427B2 (en) | 2015-07-13 | 2019-03-12 | Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | Systems and methods for DC power line communication in a photovoltaic system |
CN108027624B (en) | 2015-07-13 | 2020-05-01 | 马克西姆综合产品公司 | Switching circuit having multiple operating modes and related method |
CN106663706B (en) | 2015-08-18 | 2019-10-08 | 太阳能公司 | Solar panel |
US10431987B2 (en) * | 2015-09-24 | 2019-10-01 | Sunpower Corporation | Methods and systems for maintaining photovoltaic power plant reactive power capability |
WO2017059305A1 (en) | 2015-10-02 | 2017-04-06 | Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc. | Solar fueling station |
WO2017058242A1 (en) * | 2015-10-02 | 2017-04-06 | United Technologies Corporation | Universal power electronic cell for distributed generation |
US10256732B2 (en) | 2015-10-16 | 2019-04-09 | General Electric Company | Power conversion system and method of operating the same |
EP3159998A1 (en) * | 2015-10-20 | 2017-04-26 | AmbiBox GmbH | Actuator, system with actuator, energy supply unit for a vehicle on-board network, air conditioning device, power supply for electronic circuits, system for supplying energy to computing centre units, dc charger for electric vehicles |
CN107153212B (en) | 2016-03-03 | 2023-07-28 | 太阳能安吉科技有限公司 | Method for mapping a power generation facility |
US10599113B2 (en) | 2016-03-03 | 2020-03-24 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Apparatus and method for determining an order of power devices in power generation systems |
US11081608B2 (en) | 2016-03-03 | 2021-08-03 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Apparatus and method for determining an order of power devices in power generation systems |
US10566798B2 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2020-02-18 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Solar panel disconnect and reactivation system |
US12057807B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2024-08-06 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Chain of power devices |
US11177663B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2021-11-16 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Chain of power devices |
US11018623B2 (en) | 2016-04-05 | 2021-05-25 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Safety switch for photovoltaic systems |
US10673379B2 (en) | 2016-06-08 | 2020-06-02 | Sunpower Corporation | Systems and methods for reworking shingled solar cell modules |
US10074985B2 (en) | 2016-06-21 | 2018-09-11 | The Aerospace Corporation | Solar and/or wind inverter |
CN106849349B (en) * | 2016-12-13 | 2019-02-15 | 航天东方红卫星有限公司 | A kind of sun square formation simulator developing Of Remote Control Power frame system |
EP3337022A1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2018-06-20 | DET International Holding Limited | Control of a multiple input solar power inverter |
US10651735B2 (en) | 2017-02-06 | 2020-05-12 | Futurewei Technologies, Inc. | Series stacked DC-DC converter with serially connected DC power sources and capacitors |
US10665743B2 (en) | 2017-02-16 | 2020-05-26 | Futurewei Technologies, Inc. | Distributed/central optimizer architecture |
WO2018184076A1 (en) * | 2017-04-07 | 2018-10-11 | Allume Energy Pty Ltd | Behind-the-meter system and method for controlled distribution of solar energy in multi-unit buildings |
US11569778B2 (en) * | 2017-04-08 | 2023-01-31 | Sigmagen, Inc. | Rapidly deployable and transportable high-power-density smart power generators |
US10333314B2 (en) | 2017-04-17 | 2019-06-25 | Futurewei Technologies, Inc. | Multiple buck stage single boost stage optimizer |
US10965126B2 (en) | 2017-05-01 | 2021-03-30 | Futurewei Technologies, Inc. | Systems and methods for control of photovoltaic arrays |
CN109217806A (en) * | 2017-07-03 | 2019-01-15 | 北京信邦同安电子有限公司 | The split type power optimization mould group of solar components |
US10040660B1 (en) | 2017-07-17 | 2018-08-07 | Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc | Power device for a product dispenser |
CN109412197B (en) * | 2017-08-18 | 2022-10-14 | 丰郅(上海)新能源科技有限公司 | Voltage conversion circuit capable of generating carrier signal and used for photovoltaic module power optimization |
US10291064B2 (en) | 2017-08-22 | 2019-05-14 | Carlos J. Cruz | DC power distribution system |
JP6829673B2 (en) | 2017-09-19 | 2021-02-10 | 株式会社東芝 | Solar cell system and control method of solar cell system |
JP6841337B2 (en) * | 2017-09-19 | 2021-03-10 | 東芝三菱電機産業システム株式会社 | Photovoltaic system and photovoltaic method |
US10498166B2 (en) | 2017-11-29 | 2019-12-03 | Mark Matyac | Method and apparatus for switching a load between two power sources |
US11031782B2 (en) | 2017-11-29 | 2021-06-08 | Mark Matyac | Photovoltaic transfer switch with non-essential load cutoff |
CN108054747B (en) * | 2018-01-11 | 2021-12-07 | 上海电力设计院有限公司 | Parallel control method of direct current converter and direct current micro-grid |
EP3540938B1 (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2021-06-23 | FIMER S.p.A. | A shut-down apparatus for a string of photovoltaic panels |
CN109327044B (en) | 2018-04-23 | 2021-07-09 | 矽力杰半导体技术(杭州)有限公司 | Power conversion circuit, inverter circuit, photovoltaic power generation system and control method thereof |
US10811883B2 (en) | 2018-08-09 | 2020-10-20 | United Renewable Energy, LLC | Off-grid electrical power system |
US11556102B2 (en) | 2018-08-09 | 2023-01-17 | United Renewable Energy, LLC | Off-grid electrical power system |
CN110838739B (en) * | 2018-08-17 | 2023-03-14 | 群光电能科技(苏州)有限公司 | Charging device and operation method thereof |
US10992139B1 (en) * | 2018-09-20 | 2021-04-27 | Farid Dibachi | Electrical power system |
IL263277B (en) * | 2018-11-25 | 2021-12-01 | Vigdu V Tech Ltd | A matcher for multi module solar string power generation systems and a method thereof |
CN110676884B (en) * | 2018-12-27 | 2023-08-22 | 台达电子企业管理(上海)有限公司 | Photovoltaic power generation system and control method thereof |
EP3893380A4 (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2021-11-24 | Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. | Inverter |
CN109687813A (en) * | 2019-01-18 | 2019-04-26 | 南京双电科技实业有限公司 | A kind of communications field safe power supply managing device |
CN109787289B (en) | 2019-03-15 | 2021-08-13 | 矽力杰半导体技术(杭州)有限公司 | Power conversion system, photovoltaic optimizer and power tracking method |
WO2020219995A1 (en) * | 2019-04-25 | 2020-10-29 | Aerovironment | System and method for solar cell array diagnostics in high altitude long endurance aircraft |
CN110763936B (en) * | 2019-10-30 | 2021-12-07 | 上能电气股份有限公司 | Aging circuit of string type photovoltaic inverter |
DE102019131354A1 (en) * | 2019-11-20 | 2021-05-20 | Hanwha Q Cells Gmbh | Solar module |
CN115085253B (en) * | 2020-01-08 | 2024-06-11 | 华为数字能源技术有限公司 | Position information acquisition method and device of controller |
ZA202101869B (en) * | 2020-03-20 | 2023-10-25 | Symion Automation And Energy Pty Ltd | System and method for driving a load with a renewable energy source |
CN111668868A (en) | 2020-05-08 | 2020-09-15 | 华为技术有限公司 | Photovoltaic power generation system and method |
CN111600338A (en) * | 2020-06-17 | 2020-08-28 | 阳光电源股份有限公司 | Photovoltaic system and control method thereof |
EP3965278A4 (en) * | 2020-06-18 | 2022-10-19 | Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. | Converter control method, converter, and photovoltaic power generation system |
CN111835012B (en) * | 2020-07-16 | 2021-11-23 | 深圳供电局有限公司 | Voltage control method, device and system for preventing new energy cascading failure |
US10910824B1 (en) * | 2020-07-22 | 2021-02-02 | North China Electric Power University | Active control-based protection system and method for flexible direct current system of photovoltaic plant |
US11567551B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2023-01-31 | Rohde & Schwarz Gmbh & Co. Kg | Adaptive power supply |
CN114788169B (en) * | 2020-09-17 | 2023-05-05 | 苏州恩易浦科技有限公司 | Solar array monitoring and safe disconnection from remote controller |
US11791642B2 (en) | 2020-10-08 | 2023-10-17 | Element Energy, Inc. | Safe battery energy management systems, battery management system nodes, and methods |
US10992149B1 (en) | 2020-10-08 | 2021-04-27 | Element Energy, Inc. | Safe battery energy management systems, battery management system nodes, and methods |
US11831192B2 (en) | 2021-07-07 | 2023-11-28 | Element Energy, Inc. | Battery management controllers and associated methods |
US11269012B1 (en) | 2021-07-19 | 2022-03-08 | Element Energy, Inc. | Battery modules for determining temperature and voltage characteristics of electrochemical cells, and associated methods |
CN113691127B (en) * | 2021-08-29 | 2023-07-11 | 三峡大学 | Single-input high-reliability capacitance-current consistent Boost DC-DC converter |
CN114204901B (en) * | 2021-11-29 | 2023-09-12 | 华为数字能源技术有限公司 | Photovoltaic system, inverter and bus voltage control method of inverter |
DE202021003646U1 (en) | 2021-11-30 | 2021-12-08 | Patrick Linder | Regulation and control assembly for PV panels |
US11699909B1 (en) | 2022-02-09 | 2023-07-11 | Element Energy, Inc. | Controllers for managing a plurality of stacks of electrochemical cells, and associated methods |
WO2023164209A2 (en) | 2022-02-28 | 2023-08-31 | Lunar Energy, Inc. | Rapid shutdown |
US11670945B1 (en) | 2022-02-28 | 2023-06-06 | Lunar Energy, Inc. | Power optimizers in series with voltage sensors and a common reference signal |
US11664670B1 (en) | 2022-08-21 | 2023-05-30 | Element Energy, Inc. | Methods and systems for updating state of charge estimates of individual cells in battery packs |
CN115411771A (en) * | 2022-08-24 | 2022-11-29 | 华为数字能源技术有限公司 | Photovoltaic power generation system and control method thereof |
WO2024145223A1 (en) * | 2022-12-30 | 2024-07-04 | Tae Technologies, Inc. | Power supplies for pulsed power applications |
US12119700B2 (en) | 2023-01-20 | 2024-10-15 | Element Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for adaptive electrochemical cell management |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050105224A1 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2005-05-19 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Inverter apparatus connected to a plurality of direct current power sources and dispersed-power-source system having inverter apparatus linked to commercial power system to operate |
Family Cites Families (359)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR612859A (en) | 1925-03-18 | 1926-11-03 | Belge D Optique Et D Instr De | Pocket stereoscopic rangefinder |
DE486145C (en) | 1927-11-26 | 1929-11-27 | Rheinische Metallw & Maschf | Combination of a calculator for all four types of invoices with a card punching machine |
GB424556A (en) | 1933-10-19 | 1935-02-22 | Bolidens Gruv Ab | Centrifugal pump with vertical shaft |
NL43027C (en) | 1935-04-25 | |||
GB612859A (en) | 1943-05-25 | 1948-11-18 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Improvements in or relating to moulding articles of glass or other mouldable material |
US3063606A (en) | 1959-10-15 | 1962-11-13 | Ward Ind Corp | Body and yoke press |
GB1231961A (en) | 1969-09-09 | 1971-05-12 | ||
US3900943A (en) | 1973-06-07 | 1975-08-26 | Dow Corning | Silicon semiconductor device array and method of making same |
US3900946A (en) | 1973-10-25 | 1975-08-26 | Mc Graw Edison Co | Method for making arc extinguishing chamber |
JPS6027964Y2 (en) | 1975-03-07 | 1985-08-23 | 株式会社丸東三友製作所 | Test specimen for measuring expansion amount of expanded concrete |
FR2358645A1 (en) | 1976-07-13 | 1978-02-10 | Centre Nat Etd Spatiales | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING THE SOLAR ENERGY RECEIVED AT A SITE |
US4127797A (en) | 1977-04-04 | 1978-11-28 | Iota Engineering, Inc. | Inverter oscillator with current feedback |
JPS5642365Y2 (en) | 1977-12-07 | 1981-10-03 | ||
JPS6027933B2 (en) | 1977-12-13 | 1985-07-02 | 日本電気株式会社 | Solar cell power generation recording device |
US4218139A (en) | 1978-06-05 | 1980-08-19 | Sheffield Herman E | Solar energy device and method |
BE876681A (en) * | 1978-06-14 | 1979-11-30 | Bfg Glassgroup | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A PANEL INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL AND PANEL INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE SUCH CELL |
FR2430119A1 (en) | 1978-06-30 | 1980-01-25 | Radiotechnique Compelec | CONTINUOUS-CONTINUOUS CONVERTER ASSEMBLY FOR CHARGING A BUFFER BATTERY FROM A SOLAR CELL |
US4375662A (en) | 1979-11-26 | 1983-03-01 | Exxon Research And Engineering Co. | Method of and apparatus for enabling output power of solar panel to be maximized |
FR2485827A1 (en) | 1980-06-26 | 1981-12-31 | Aerospatiale | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER |
US4341607A (en) * | 1980-12-08 | 1982-07-27 | E:F Technology, Inc. | Solar power system requiring no active control device |
US4528503A (en) | 1981-03-19 | 1985-07-09 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Energy | Method and apparatus for I-V data acquisition from solar cells |
US4395675A (en) | 1981-10-22 | 1983-07-26 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated | Transformerless noninverting buck boost switching regulator |
US4445049A (en) | 1981-12-28 | 1984-04-24 | General Electric Company | Inverter for interfacing advanced energy sources to a utility grid |
US4404472A (en) | 1981-12-28 | 1983-09-13 | General Electric Company | Maximum power control for a solar array connected to a load |
US4445030A (en) | 1981-12-31 | 1984-04-24 | Acurex Corporation | Tracking arrangement for a solar energy collecting system |
JPS58166578A (en) | 1982-03-26 | 1983-10-01 | Nippon Denso Co Ltd | Information generator |
US4409537A (en) | 1982-03-31 | 1983-10-11 | Honeywell Inc. | Interconnection of primary cells |
EP0106854A1 (en) | 1982-04-27 | 1984-05-02 | The Australian National University | Arrays of polarised energy-generating elements |
GB8302772D0 (en) | 1983-02-01 | 1983-03-02 | Pilkington Perkin Elmer Ltd | Transparent articles |
US4580090A (en) | 1983-09-16 | 1986-04-01 | Motorola, Inc. | Maximum power tracker |
JPS6079417A (en) | 1983-10-06 | 1985-05-07 | Nishimu Denshi Kogyo Kk | Power converter for solar battery |
DE3404520C2 (en) * | 1984-02-09 | 1997-01-09 | Uraca Pumpen | Pump or hydraulic system |
JPS60148172U (en) | 1984-03-15 | 1985-10-01 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Rear wheel steering regulation device for front and rear wheel steering vehicles |
US4749982A (en) | 1984-06-19 | 1988-06-07 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Intelligent card |
JPS6154820A (en) | 1984-08-23 | 1986-03-19 | シャープ株式会社 | Dc/ac converter of photogenerator system |
DE3433886A1 (en) | 1984-09-14 | 1986-03-27 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | CONTROL DEVICE FOR A DC SEMICONDUCTOR CONTROLLER |
US4649334A (en) | 1984-10-18 | 1987-03-10 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Method of and system for controlling a photovoltaic power system |
JPS61173636A (en) | 1984-12-18 | 1986-08-05 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Power source unit |
JPH053678Y2 (en) | 1985-10-18 | 1993-01-28 | ||
JPS62154121U (en) | 1986-03-20 | 1987-09-30 | ||
JPS62256156A (en) * | 1986-04-30 | 1987-11-07 | Meidensha Electric Mfg Co Ltd | System bus control method for standby duplex system |
US4794909A (en) | 1987-04-16 | 1989-01-03 | Eiden Glenn E | Solar tracking control system |
DE3724590A1 (en) | 1987-07-24 | 1989-02-02 | Gert Guenther Niggemeyer | DC-DC CONVERTER |
JPH0196920A (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1989-04-14 | Fujitsu Ltd | Discrimination of wafer |
JP2584811B2 (en) | 1988-01-14 | 1997-02-26 | キヤノン株式会社 | Nonlinear optical element |
FR2634293B2 (en) | 1988-01-29 | 1990-10-19 | Centre Nat Etd Spatiales | SYSTEM FOR REGULATING THE OPERATING POINT OF A DIRECT CURRENT SUPPLY IN A VOLTAGE OR CURRENT GENERATOR CHARACTERISTIC AREA |
US4873480A (en) | 1988-08-03 | 1989-10-10 | Lafferty Donald L | Coupling network for improving conversion efficiency of photovoltaic power source |
US4994981A (en) | 1988-09-30 | 1991-02-19 | Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling a power converter |
EP0383971A1 (en) | 1989-02-22 | 1990-08-29 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Supply circuit for a multisystem locomotive |
JP2734617B2 (en) | 1989-03-29 | 1998-04-02 | 三井化学株式会社 | Manufacturing method of separator |
JPH0833347B2 (en) | 1989-03-30 | 1996-03-29 | 横河電機株式会社 | Fluid refractive index measuring device |
JPH0635555Y2 (en) | 1989-05-01 | 1994-09-14 | アルプス電気株式会社 | Receiving machine |
US5028861A (en) | 1989-05-24 | 1991-07-02 | Motorola, Inc. | Strobed DC-DC converter with current regulation |
US5027051A (en) | 1990-02-20 | 1991-06-25 | Donald Lafferty | Photovoltaic source switching regulator with maximum power transfer efficiency without voltage change |
JPH0726849Y2 (en) | 1990-08-31 | 1995-06-14 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Translucent thin film solar cell |
DE4032569A1 (en) * | 1990-10-13 | 1992-04-16 | Flachglas Solartechnik Gmbh | Photovoltaic system coupled to mains network - has individual modules incorporating respective DC-AC converter for direct supply of mains network |
US5144222A (en) | 1991-01-07 | 1992-09-01 | Edward Herbert | Apparatus for controlling the input impedance of a power converter |
JP3294630B2 (en) | 1991-04-22 | 2002-06-24 | シャープ株式会社 | Power supply system |
US5179508A (en) | 1991-10-15 | 1993-01-12 | International Business Machines Corp. | Standby boost converter |
US5270636A (en) | 1992-02-18 | 1993-12-14 | Lafferty Donald L | Regulating control circuit for photovoltaic source employing switches, energy storage, and pulse width modulation controller |
DE4230548C2 (en) | 1992-09-08 | 1996-01-18 | Borus Spezialverfahren | Process for the production of calcium alpha hemihydrate suitable as a building material from moist, finely divided flue gas desulfurization gypsum |
JP2749487B2 (en) | 1992-10-26 | 1998-05-13 | オリンパス光学工業株式会社 | Head-mounted display system |
US5493204A (en) | 1993-02-08 | 1996-02-20 | The Aerospace Corporation | Negative impedance peak power tracker |
JPH06266454A (en) * | 1993-03-16 | 1994-09-22 | Kansai Electric Power Co Inc:The | Photovoltaic power generating equipment capable of jointly using battery |
US5530335A (en) | 1993-05-11 | 1996-06-25 | Trw Inc. | Battery regulated bus spacecraft power control system |
US5402060A (en) | 1993-05-13 | 1995-03-28 | Toko America, Inc. | Controller for two-switch buck-boost converter |
JPH07222436A (en) | 1994-01-26 | 1995-08-18 | Meidensha Corp | Life detection apparatus of smoothing electrolytic capacitor |
JP2874156B2 (en) | 1994-04-13 | 1999-03-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Power generation system |
US5669987A (en) | 1994-04-13 | 1997-09-23 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Abnormality detection method, abnormality detection apparatus, and solar cell power generating system using the same |
JPH07302130A (en) * | 1994-05-02 | 1995-11-14 | Canon Inc | Power controller |
JP3430185B2 (en) | 1994-06-16 | 2003-07-28 | 株式会社日立産機システム | Inverter device |
US5689242A (en) | 1994-07-28 | 1997-11-18 | The General Hospital Corporation | Connecting a portable device to a network |
JP3457389B2 (en) | 1994-07-29 | 2003-10-14 | 株式会社東芝 | Solar cell power generation system |
US5503260A (en) | 1994-09-23 | 1996-04-02 | Riley; Ron J. | Conveyor safety assembly |
US5659465A (en) | 1994-09-23 | 1997-08-19 | Aeroviroment, Inc. | Peak electrical power conversion system |
JP3499941B2 (en) * | 1994-12-21 | 2004-02-23 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Solar power generator |
JP3719729B2 (en) | 1994-12-27 | 2005-11-24 | シャープ株式会社 | Aging prediction method for interconnection inverter |
JPH08204220A (en) | 1995-01-31 | 1996-08-09 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Solar cell, solar cell module and solar cell module group |
US5646502A (en) | 1995-08-28 | 1997-07-08 | Nsi Enterprises, Inc. | Emergency lighting circuit for shunt-regulated battery charging and lamp operation |
JP3098695B2 (en) | 1995-09-28 | 2000-10-16 | キヤノン株式会社 | Solar cell module |
JP3349317B2 (en) | 1995-11-24 | 2002-11-25 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Solar cell module |
EP0780750B1 (en) | 1995-12-20 | 2002-03-27 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Inverter control method and inverter apparatus using the method |
US5747967A (en) | 1996-02-22 | 1998-05-05 | Midwest Research Institute | Apparatus and method for maximizing power delivered by a photovoltaic array |
KR100205229B1 (en) | 1996-05-15 | 1999-07-01 | 윤종용 | The source for solar cells |
US5734258A (en) | 1996-06-03 | 1998-03-31 | General Electric Company | Bidirectional buck boost converter |
US5801519A (en) * | 1996-06-21 | 1998-09-01 | The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | Self-excited power minimizer/maximizer for switching power converters and switching motor drive applications |
US5741370A (en) | 1996-06-27 | 1998-04-21 | Evergreen Solar, Inc. | Solar cell modules with improved backskin and methods for forming same |
JPH1054118A (en) | 1996-08-08 | 1998-02-24 | Canon Inc | Solar cell module |
IL131393A (en) * | 1997-02-14 | 2003-02-12 | Merlin Gerin S A Proprietary L | Security system for alternative energy supplies |
US5923100A (en) | 1997-03-31 | 1999-07-13 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Apparatus for controlling a solar array power system |
US6218605B1 (en) | 1997-04-23 | 2001-04-17 | Robert B. Dally | Performance optimizing system for a satellite solar array |
US5898585A (en) | 1997-05-29 | 1999-04-27 | Premier Global Corporation, Ltd. | Apparatus and method for providing supplemental alternating current from a solar cell array |
US5896281A (en) * | 1997-07-02 | 1999-04-20 | Raytheon Company | Power conditioning system for a four quadrant photovoltaic array with an inverter for each array quadrant |
TW414898B (en) | 1997-10-06 | 2000-12-11 | Tdk Corp | Electronic device and its production |
JP4076721B2 (en) | 1997-11-24 | 2008-04-16 | エイチ. ウィルス、ロバート | Isolated power-proof method and apparatus for distributed generation |
GB9725128D0 (en) | 1997-11-27 | 1998-01-28 | Weinberg Alan H | Solar array system |
JPH11330521A (en) | 1998-03-13 | 1999-11-30 | Canon Inc | Solar battery module, solar battery array, photovolatic power plant, and method of specifying fault of solar battery module |
US6889122B2 (en) | 1998-05-21 | 2005-05-03 | The Research Foundation Of State University Of New York | Load controller and method to enhance effective capacity of a photovoltaic power supply using a dynamically determined expected peak loading |
JP2000286437A (en) | 1998-06-12 | 2000-10-13 | Canon Inc | Solar cell module and manufacturing method |
JP2000068537A (en) | 1998-06-12 | 2000-03-03 | Canon Inc | Solar cell module, string, system, and management method |
JP2000020150A (en) | 1998-06-30 | 2000-01-21 | Toshiba Fa Syst Eng Corp | Solar power generation inverter device |
US6081104A (en) | 1998-11-20 | 2000-06-27 | Applied Power Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing energy to a lighting system |
JP2000228529A (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2000-08-15 | Canon Inc | Solar cell module having overvoltage preventing element and solar light power generating system using the same |
JP2000174307A (en) * | 1998-12-01 | 2000-06-23 | Toshiba Corp | Solar battery power generation module and device for diagnosing number of connected modules |
JP2000269531A (en) | 1999-01-14 | 2000-09-29 | Canon Inc | Solar battery module, building material therewith envelope thereof and photovoltaic power generation device |
US6046401A (en) | 1999-03-25 | 2000-04-04 | Mccabe; Joseph Christopher | Display device integrated into a photovoltaic panel |
DE69921093T2 (en) * | 1999-05-10 | 2005-11-10 | Stmicroelectronics S.R.L., Agrate Brianza | In a frequency converter used as a voltage regulator and battery charger DC converter and method for this frequency conversion |
JP3501685B2 (en) | 1999-06-04 | 2004-03-02 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Power converter |
US6545450B1 (en) | 1999-07-02 | 2003-04-08 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Multiple power converter system using combining transformers |
US6160722A (en) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-12-12 | Powerware Corporation | Uninterruptible power supplies with dual-sourcing capability and methods of operation thereof |
US6441896B1 (en) | 1999-12-17 | 2002-08-27 | Midwest Research Institute | Method and apparatus for measuring spatial uniformity of radiation |
JP3351410B2 (en) | 1999-12-20 | 2002-11-25 | 株式会社村田製作所 | Inverter capacitor module, inverter and capacitor module |
JP2001189233A (en) | 1999-12-28 | 2001-07-10 | Murata Mfg Co Ltd | Layered capacitor |
US6351400B1 (en) | 2000-01-18 | 2002-02-26 | Eviropower Corporation | Method and apparatus for a solar power conditioner |
US6545868B1 (en) | 2000-03-13 | 2003-04-08 | Legacy Electronics, Inc. | Electronic module having canopy-type carriers |
US6282104B1 (en) | 2000-03-14 | 2001-08-28 | Applied Power Corporation | DC injection and even harmonics control system |
US6166527A (en) | 2000-03-27 | 2000-12-26 | Linear Technology Corporation | Control circuit and method for maintaining high efficiency in a buck-boost switching regulator |
DE10120595B4 (en) | 2000-04-28 | 2004-08-05 | Sharp K.K. | Solar Energy System |
JP3689767B2 (en) * | 2000-09-22 | 2005-08-31 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Thermal power plant maintenance service provision method |
US6281485B1 (en) | 2000-09-27 | 2001-08-28 | The Aerospace Corporation | Maximum power tracking solar power system |
JP2002112553A (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2002-04-12 | Canon Inc | Power converter, its control method, and generator |
JP2002141540A (en) | 2000-10-31 | 2002-05-17 | Canon Inc | Solar cell module integrated with power converter |
EP1211791B1 (en) | 2000-12-04 | 2011-02-16 | Nec Tokin Corporation | Symmetrical DC/DC converter with synchronous rectifiers having an operational amplifier in the driver circuit |
US6348781B1 (en) | 2000-12-11 | 2002-02-19 | Motorola, Inc. | Buck or boost power converter |
US6624350B2 (en) | 2001-01-18 | 2003-09-23 | Arise Technologies Corporation | Solar power management system |
JP2002231578A (en) | 2001-01-30 | 2002-08-16 | Meidensha Corp | Device and tool for fitting electrolytic capacitor |
US6275016B1 (en) | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-14 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Buck-boost switching regulator |
US6765315B2 (en) | 2001-03-14 | 2004-07-20 | International Power Systems, Inc. | Bi-directional regulator/converter with buck/boost by fuzzy logic control |
US6369462B1 (en) | 2001-05-02 | 2002-04-09 | The Aerospace Corporation | Maximum power tracking solar power system |
US6433522B1 (en) | 2001-05-02 | 2002-08-13 | The Aerospace Corporation | Fault tolerant maximum power tracking solar power system |
JP2002354678A (en) * | 2001-05-29 | 2002-12-06 | Canon Inc | Power generating device, and its control method |
JP2003052185A (en) | 2001-05-30 | 2003-02-21 | Canon Inc | Power converter, and photovoltaic element module using the same and power generator |
JP2002359386A (en) | 2001-05-31 | 2002-12-13 | Canon Inc | Solar battery string, solar battery array, and solar power generation system |
GB2376357B (en) | 2001-06-09 | 2005-05-04 | 3D Instr Ltd | Power converter and method for power conversion |
US6738692B2 (en) * | 2001-06-25 | 2004-05-18 | Sustainable Energy Technologies | Modular, integrated power conversion and energy management system |
US6670721B2 (en) | 2001-07-10 | 2003-12-30 | Abb Ab | System, method, rotating machine and computer program product for enhancing electric power produced by renewable facilities |
ITVA20010022A1 (en) * | 2001-07-11 | 2003-01-11 | Chemieco Srl | STATIC VOLTAGE INVERTER FOR BATTERY SYSTEM |
EP1410490B1 (en) * | 2001-07-23 | 2013-09-04 | Northern Power Systems Utility Scale, Inc. | Control system for a power converter and method of controlling operation of a power converter |
JP2003158282A (en) | 2001-08-30 | 2003-05-30 | Canon Inc | Solar photovoltaic power-generation system |
AU2002348084A1 (en) | 2001-10-25 | 2003-05-06 | Sandia Corporation | Alternating current photovoltaic building block |
JP2003173206A (en) * | 2001-12-05 | 2003-06-20 | Hitachi Ltd | Remote operation support method and system for power generating facility |
US6690590B2 (en) * | 2001-12-26 | 2004-02-10 | Ljubisav S. Stamenic | Apparatus for regulating the delivery of power from a DC power source to an active or passive load |
US6686533B2 (en) | 2002-01-29 | 2004-02-03 | Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. | System and method for converting solar energy to electricity |
US6975098B2 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2005-12-13 | Vlt, Inc. | Factorized power architecture with point of load sine amplitude converters |
JP2003244849A (en) * | 2002-02-14 | 2003-08-29 | Yanmar Co Ltd | Control system for generator system |
ATE340429T1 (en) | 2002-02-14 | 2006-10-15 | Yanmar Co Ltd | POWER GENERATOR AND CORRESPONDING SYSTEM |
DE10207560A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-09-04 | Kolm Hendrik | Process for monitoring decentralized energy generation plants |
AUPS143902A0 (en) | 2002-03-28 | 2002-05-09 | Curtin University Of Technology | Power conversion system and method of converting power |
JP3796460B2 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2006-07-12 | シャープ株式会社 | Power conditioner for photovoltaic system |
DE10222621A1 (en) * | 2002-05-17 | 2003-11-27 | Josef Steger | Process and circuit to control and regulated a photovoltaic device assembly for solar energy has controlled bypass for each cell to ensure maximum power operation |
US6600668B1 (en) | 2002-05-21 | 2003-07-29 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Crowbar circuit for low output voltage DC/DC converters |
US7339287B2 (en) * | 2002-06-23 | 2008-03-04 | Powerlynx A/S | Power converter |
AU2003256377A1 (en) | 2002-07-05 | 2004-01-23 | Golden Solar Energy, Inc. | Apparatus, system, and method of diagnosing individual photovoltaic cells |
JP3556648B2 (en) * | 2002-07-08 | 2004-08-18 | 日本テキサス・インスツルメンツ株式会社 | DC-DC converter and control circuit for DC-DC converter |
US7612283B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2009-11-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Solar power generation apparatus and its manufacturing method |
US6657875B1 (en) * | 2002-07-16 | 2003-12-02 | Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation | Highly efficient step-down/step-up and step-up/step-down charge pump |
US6952355B2 (en) * | 2002-07-22 | 2005-10-04 | Ops Power Llc | Two-stage converter using low permeability magnetics |
US6958922B2 (en) | 2002-07-22 | 2005-10-25 | Magnetic Design Labs Inc. | High output power quasi-square wave inverter circuit |
JP2004129483A (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2004-04-22 | Canon Inc | Power converter and generator |
US6788033B2 (en) | 2002-08-08 | 2004-09-07 | Vlt, Inc. | Buck-boost DC-DC switching power conversion |
US7449629B2 (en) * | 2002-08-21 | 2008-11-11 | Truseal Technologies, Inc. | Solar panel including a low moisture vapor transmission rate adhesive composition |
US7116010B2 (en) * | 2002-09-17 | 2006-10-03 | Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation | Control of small distributed energy resources |
FR2844890B1 (en) | 2002-09-19 | 2005-01-14 | Cit Alcatel | CONDITIONING CIRCUIT FOR POWER SOURCE AT MAXIMUM POINT OF POWER, SOLAR GENERATOR, AND CONDITIONING METHOD |
US6798177B1 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2004-09-28 | Arques Technology, Inc. | Boost-buck cascade converter for pulsating loads |
US6891355B2 (en) | 2002-11-14 | 2005-05-10 | Fyre Storm, Inc. | Method for computing an amount of energy taken from a battery |
US7365661B2 (en) | 2002-11-14 | 2008-04-29 | Fyre Storm, Inc. | Power converter circuitry and method |
US6804127B2 (en) | 2002-11-19 | 2004-10-12 | Wilcon Inc. | Reduced capacitance AC/DC/AC power converter |
US7138730B2 (en) | 2002-11-22 | 2006-11-21 | Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc. | Topologies for multiple energy sources |
US6966184B2 (en) | 2002-11-25 | 2005-11-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Photovoltaic power generating apparatus, method of producing same and photovoltaic power generating system |
US20040175598A1 (en) * | 2002-12-02 | 2004-09-09 | Bliven David C. | Fuel cell power supply for portable computing device and method for fuel cell power control |
US7064969B2 (en) | 2003-02-21 | 2006-06-20 | Distributed Power, Inc. | Monopolar DC to bipolar to AC converter |
US7411371B2 (en) | 2003-02-28 | 2008-08-12 | Arizona Public Service Company | Battery charger and method of charging a battery |
JP4585774B2 (en) * | 2003-03-07 | 2010-11-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Power conversion device and power supply device |
GB2407218B (en) | 2003-03-17 | 2005-11-02 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Inverter device |
KR101252838B1 (en) | 2003-04-04 | 2013-04-09 | 비피 코포레이션 노쓰 아메리카 인코포레이티드 | Performance monitor for a photovoltaic supply |
US6914418B2 (en) | 2003-04-21 | 2005-07-05 | Phoenixtec Power Co., Ltd. | Multi-mode renewable power converter system |
WO2004100344A2 (en) | 2003-05-02 | 2004-11-18 | Ballard Power Systems Corporation | Method and apparatus for tracking maximum power point for inverters in photovoltaic applications |
DE602004023497D1 (en) | 2003-05-06 | 2009-11-19 | Enecsys Ltd | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUITS |
US8067855B2 (en) | 2003-05-06 | 2011-11-29 | Enecsys Limited | Power supply circuits |
US8102144B2 (en) | 2003-05-28 | 2012-01-24 | Beacon Power Corporation | Power converter for a solar panel |
US7068017B2 (en) | 2003-09-05 | 2006-06-27 | Daimlerchrysler Corporation | Optimization arrangement for direct electrical energy converters |
SE0302453D0 (en) | 2003-09-16 | 2003-09-16 | Solarit Ab | A module, a converter, a node, and a system |
US7091707B2 (en) | 2003-09-29 | 2006-08-15 | Xantrex Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling power drawn from an energy converter |
WO2005036725A1 (en) | 2003-10-14 | 2005-04-21 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Power converter |
US20050077879A1 (en) | 2003-10-14 | 2005-04-14 | Near Timothy Paul | Energy transfer device for series connected energy source and storage devices |
US6984967B2 (en) * | 2003-10-29 | 2006-01-10 | Allegro Microsystems, Inc. | Multi-mode switching regulator |
WO2005048310A2 (en) * | 2003-11-10 | 2005-05-26 | Practical Technology, Inc. | System and method for enhanced thermophotovoltaic generation |
US7019988B2 (en) | 2004-01-08 | 2006-03-28 | Sze Wei Fung | Switching-type power converter |
EP1706936A1 (en) * | 2004-01-09 | 2006-10-04 | Philips Intellectual Property & Standards GmbH | Decentralized power generation system |
US7443052B2 (en) | 2004-01-09 | 2008-10-28 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | DC/DC converter and decentralized power generation system comprising a DC/DC converter |
US7227278B2 (en) | 2004-01-21 | 2007-06-05 | Nextek Power Systems Inc. | Multiple bi-directional input/output power control system |
US7510640B2 (en) | 2004-02-18 | 2009-03-31 | General Motors Corporation | Method and apparatus for hydrogen generation |
JP4457692B2 (en) * | 2004-02-23 | 2010-04-28 | パナソニック電工株式会社 | Maximum power tracking control method and power conversion device |
JP4119392B2 (en) * | 2004-03-31 | 2008-07-16 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Junction box and power generator |
JP4196867B2 (en) | 2004-03-31 | 2008-12-17 | 株式会社デンソー | Bidirectional buck-boost chopper circuit, inverter circuit using the same, and DC-DC converter circuit |
JP2005312158A (en) * | 2004-04-20 | 2005-11-04 | Canon Inc | Power converter and its control method, and solarlight power generator |
US7248946B2 (en) | 2004-05-11 | 2007-07-24 | Advanced Energy Conversion, Llc | Inverter control methodology for distributed generation sources connected to a utility grid |
DE102004025923A1 (en) * | 2004-05-27 | 2005-12-22 | Siemens Ag | Photovoltaic system for feeding into an electrical network and central control and monitoring device for a photovoltaic system |
WO2006002380A2 (en) | 2004-06-24 | 2006-01-05 | Ambient Control Systems, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing maximum photovoltaic peak power tracking |
JP2006020390A (en) * | 2004-06-30 | 2006-01-19 | Sharp Corp | Power conditioner |
EP1766490A4 (en) * | 2004-07-13 | 2007-12-05 | Univ Central Queensland | A device for distributed maximum power tracking for solar arrays |
US7564149B2 (en) | 2004-07-21 | 2009-07-21 | Kasemsan Siri | Sequentially-controlled solar array power system with maximum power tracking |
JP4719434B2 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2011-07-06 | 長野日本無線株式会社 | Solar cell power generator |
ITRM20040396A1 (en) | 2004-08-04 | 2004-11-04 | Univ Roma | SYSTEM DISTRIBUTED FOR THE POWER SUPPLY OF THE POWER BUS AND METHOD OF CONTROL OF THE POWER USING SUCH SYSTEM. |
GB2415841B (en) | 2004-11-08 | 2006-05-10 | Enecsys Ltd | Power conditioning unit |
GB2421847B (en) | 2004-11-08 | 2006-12-27 | Enecsys Ltd | Integrated circuits |
GB2419968B (en) | 2004-11-08 | 2010-02-03 | Enecsys Ltd | Power supply circuits |
WO2006048689A2 (en) | 2004-11-08 | 2006-05-11 | Encesys Limited | Integrated circuits and power supplies |
KR20060060825A (en) | 2004-12-01 | 2006-06-07 | 이성룡 | High efficiency dc/dc converter using parallel power transfer |
WO2006071436A2 (en) | 2004-12-29 | 2006-07-06 | Atira Technologies, Llc | A converter circuit and technique for increasing the output efficiency of a variable power source |
WO2006137948A2 (en) | 2004-12-29 | 2006-12-28 | Isg Technologies Llc | Efficiency booster circuit and technique for maximizing power point tracking |
US8204709B2 (en) | 2005-01-18 | 2012-06-19 | Solar Sentry Corporation | System and method for monitoring photovoltaic power generation systems |
US7193872B2 (en) | 2005-01-28 | 2007-03-20 | Kasemsan Siri | Solar array inverter with maximum power tracking |
JP4945727B2 (en) | 2005-01-31 | 2012-06-06 | 豊次 阿閉 | Leakage current interruption device and method |
WO2006090675A1 (en) | 2005-02-25 | 2006-08-31 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Power converter |
FR2885237B1 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2007-06-29 | Agence Spatiale Europeenne | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING CONTINUOUS VOLTAGE SWITCH CONVERTER AND USE THEREOF FOR MAXIMIZING THE POWER SUPPLIED BY A PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR |
GB2425884A (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2006-11-08 | Lontra Environmental Technolog | Photovoltaic module |
US7274975B2 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2007-09-25 | Gridpoint, Inc. | Optimized energy management system |
US7398960B2 (en) | 2005-07-06 | 2008-07-15 | Neusch Innovations, Lp | Releasable post-cable connection for a cable barrier system |
ITSA20050014A1 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2007-01-14 | Univ Degli Studi Salerno | SINGLE STAGE INVERTER DEVICE, AND ITS CONTROL METHOD, FOR POWER CONVERTERS FROM ENERGY SOURCES, IN PARTICULAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SOURCES. |
DE102005032864B4 (en) | 2005-07-14 | 2011-04-14 | Sma Solar Technology Ag | Method for finding a maximum power of a photovoltaic generator |
JP2007058845A (en) | 2005-07-27 | 2007-03-08 | Gunma Prefecture | Photovoltaic power generator |
JP2007058843A (en) | 2005-07-27 | 2007-03-08 | Gunma Prefecture | Photovoltaic power generator |
US20070038534A1 (en) * | 2005-08-01 | 2007-02-15 | Stanley Canter | Distributed peak power tracking solar array power systems and methods |
US7319313B2 (en) | 2005-08-10 | 2008-01-15 | Xantrex Technology, Inc. | Photovoltaic DC-to-AC power converter and control method |
US7786716B2 (en) | 2005-08-29 | 2010-08-31 | The Aerospace Corporation | Nanosatellite solar cell regulator |
KR20070036528A (en) | 2005-09-29 | 2007-04-03 | 매그나칩 반도체 유한회사 | Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same |
JP2007104872A (en) | 2005-10-07 | 2007-04-19 | Ebara Densan Ltd | Power converter |
EP1946418A2 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2008-07-23 | Conergy AG | Switch-fuse with control management for solar cells |
JP2007134272A (en) | 2005-11-14 | 2007-05-31 | Sony Corp | Current collector, anode, and battery |
US20080186004A1 (en) | 2005-11-29 | 2008-08-07 | Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc. | High-Frequency Power MESFET Boost Switching Power Supply |
WO2007142693A2 (en) | 2005-12-15 | 2007-12-13 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Optimizing photovoltaic-electrolyzer efficiency |
US7889519B2 (en) | 2006-01-12 | 2011-02-15 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Methods and apparatus for a resonant converter |
GB2454389B (en) | 2006-01-13 | 2009-08-26 | Enecsys Ltd | Power conditioning unit |
US7479774B2 (en) | 2006-04-07 | 2009-01-20 | Yuan Ze University | High-performance solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion system |
WO2007118814A2 (en) | 2006-04-13 | 2007-10-25 | Shell Erneuerbare Energien Gmbh | Solar module |
TWI332742B (en) | 2006-04-21 | 2010-11-01 | Delta Electronics Inc | Uninterruptible power supply capable of providing sinusoidal-wave ouput ac voltage and method thereof |
JP2007325371A (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2007-12-13 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Power supply device |
TWI328730B (en) * | 2006-06-16 | 2010-08-11 | Ablerex Electronics Co Ltd | Maximum power point tracking method and tracker thereof for a solar power system |
US7696077B2 (en) * | 2006-07-14 | 2010-04-13 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Bottom electrode contacts for semiconductor devices and methods of forming same |
TWI320626B (en) | 2006-09-12 | 2010-02-11 | Ablerex Electronics Co Ltd | Bidirectional active power conditioner |
US7514900B2 (en) | 2006-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | Apple Inc. | Portable devices having multiple power interfaces |
US8751053B2 (en) | 2006-10-19 | 2014-06-10 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and system to provide a distributed local energy production system with high-voltage DC bus |
US7998486B2 (en) | 2006-10-25 | 2011-08-16 | Newlink Genetics Corporation | Enhanced immunogenicity of tumor associated antigens by addition of alphaGal epitopes |
US20080111517A1 (en) | 2006-11-15 | 2008-05-15 | Pfeifer John E | Charge Controller for DC-DC Power Conversion |
US20080123375A1 (en) | 2006-11-29 | 2008-05-29 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Multi-Mode Power Converter |
JP2008141871A (en) * | 2006-12-01 | 2008-06-19 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Power converter |
US9088178B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2015-07-21 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US8319483B2 (en) | 2007-08-06 | 2012-11-27 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Digital average input current control in power converter |
US8473250B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2013-06-25 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Monitoring of distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US8963369B2 (en) | 2007-12-04 | 2015-02-24 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US8816535B2 (en) | 2007-10-10 | 2014-08-26 | Solaredge Technologies, Ltd. | System and method for protection during inverter shutdown in distributed power installations |
US11735910B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2023-08-22 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power system using direct current power sources |
EP3288165B1 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2021-10-13 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Removable component cartridge for increasing reliability in power harvesting systems |
US7900361B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2011-03-08 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Current bypass for distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources |
US8013472B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2011-09-06 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Method for distributed power harvesting using DC power sources |
US20080144294A1 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2008-06-19 | Meir Adest | Removal component cartridge for increasing reliability in power harvesting systems |
JP2010512139A (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2010-04-15 | ソーラーエッジ エルティーディ | Monitoring system and method for distributed power harvesting system using DC power supply |
US8618692B2 (en) * | 2007-12-04 | 2013-12-31 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Distributed power system using direct current power sources |
US8319471B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2012-11-27 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Battery power delivery module |
US9112379B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2015-08-18 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Pairing of components in a direct current distributed power generation system |
FR2910141B1 (en) | 2006-12-18 | 2009-02-20 | Agence Spatiale Europeenne | ELECTRIC POWER GENERATING SYSTEM WITH POWER MAXIMIZATION |
US7663342B2 (en) | 2007-01-26 | 2010-02-16 | Solarbridge Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus, system, and method for controlling multiple power supplies |
CN101257221A (en) * | 2007-02-28 | 2008-09-03 | 北京恒基伟业投资发展有限公司 | Photovoltaic battery- DC / DC voltage boosting convert charging method |
US7772716B2 (en) | 2007-03-27 | 2010-08-10 | Newdoll Enterprises Llc | Distributed maximum power point tracking system, structure and process |
US8158877B2 (en) | 2007-03-30 | 2012-04-17 | Sunpower Corporation | Localized power point optimizer for solar cell installations |
US20110005567A1 (en) | 2007-04-06 | 2011-01-13 | Sunovia Energy Technologies Inc. | Modular solar panel system |
KR100908156B1 (en) | 2007-04-13 | 2009-07-16 | 경남대학교 산학협력단 | Solar maximum power tracking device and method |
US20080257397A1 (en) | 2007-04-17 | 2008-10-23 | John Stanley Glaser | System, method, and apparatus for extracting power from a photovoltaic source of electrical energy |
US9099759B2 (en) | 2007-04-23 | 2015-08-04 | The Aerospace Corporation | Multimode power module |
US8063606B2 (en) | 2007-05-11 | 2011-11-22 | Research In Motion Limited | Battery charger for a handheld computing device and an external battery |
KR100877107B1 (en) | 2007-06-28 | 2009-01-07 | 주식회사 하이닉스반도체 | Method for fabricating interlayer dielectric in semiconductor device |
DE102007031038A1 (en) | 2007-07-04 | 2009-01-08 | Tridonicatco Schweiz Ag | Circuit for operating light-emitting diodes (LEDs) |
US20090020151A1 (en) | 2007-07-16 | 2009-01-22 | Pvi Solutions, Inc. | Method and apparatus for converting a direct current to alternating current utilizing a plurality of inverters |
US7834580B2 (en) | 2007-07-27 | 2010-11-16 | American Power Conversion Corporation | Solar powered apparatus |
US20090078300A1 (en) | 2007-09-11 | 2009-03-26 | Efficient Solar Power System, Inc. | Distributed maximum power point tracking converter |
JP5102916B2 (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2012-12-19 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Storage system and storage system management method |
WO2009055474A1 (en) | 2007-10-23 | 2009-04-30 | And, Llc | High reliability power systems and solar power converters |
CA2737134C (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-10-10 | Ampt, Llc | Systems for highly efficient solar power |
US7602080B1 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2009-10-13 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods to balance solar panels in a multi-panel system |
US8933321B2 (en) | 2009-02-05 | 2015-01-13 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for an enhanced watchdog in solar module installations |
US7884278B2 (en) | 2007-11-02 | 2011-02-08 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems |
US8018748B2 (en) | 2007-11-14 | 2011-09-13 | General Electric Company | Method and system to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) using a photovoltaic inverter |
US9218013B2 (en) | 2007-11-14 | 2015-12-22 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and system for connecting solar cells or slices in a panel system |
WO2009072075A2 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Photovoltaic system power tracking method |
WO2009072077A1 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Meir Adest | Testing of a photovoltaic panel |
US8049523B2 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2011-11-01 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Current sensing on a MOSFET |
JP2011507465A (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2011-03-03 | ソラレッジ テクノロジーズ リミテッド | Safety mechanism, wake-up method and shutdown method in distributed power installation |
WO2009073867A1 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Solaredge, Ltd. | Parallel connected inverters |
US7898112B2 (en) | 2007-12-06 | 2011-03-01 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Apparatuses and methods to connect power sources to an electric power system |
US8106765B1 (en) * | 2007-12-10 | 2012-01-31 | George Lee Ackerson | Electrical power source connection with fault safeguards |
US9263895B2 (en) | 2007-12-21 | 2016-02-16 | Sunpower Corporation | Distributed energy conversion systems |
US8138631B2 (en) | 2007-12-21 | 2012-03-20 | Eiq Energy, Inc. | Advanced renewable energy harvesting |
US20090207543A1 (en) | 2008-02-14 | 2009-08-20 | Independent Power Systems, Inc. | System and method for fault detection and hazard prevention in photovoltaic source and output circuits |
US20090234692A1 (en) | 2008-03-13 | 2009-09-17 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and System for Configuring Solar Energy Systems |
EP4145691A1 (en) | 2008-03-24 | 2023-03-08 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Switch mode converter including auxiliary commutation circuit for achieving zero current switching |
EP2294669B8 (en) | 2008-05-05 | 2016-12-07 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Direct current power combiner |
TW201013361A (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2010-04-01 | Nat Semiconductor Corp | System and method for integrating local maximum power point tracking into an energy generating system having centralized maximum power point tracking |
US7969133B2 (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2011-06-28 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Method and system for providing local converters to provide maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system |
JP2011522505A (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2011-07-28 | ナショナル セミコンダクタ コーポレイション | System and method for an array of multiple intelligent inverters |
US8139382B2 (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2012-03-20 | National Semiconductor Corporation | System and method for integrating local maximum power point tracking into an energy generating system having centralized maximum power point tracking |
TWI494734B (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2015-08-01 | Nat Semiconductor Corp | Method and system for providing maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system |
US9077206B2 (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2015-07-07 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Method and system for activating and deactivating an energy generating system |
US8279644B2 (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2012-10-02 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Method and system for providing maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system |
US7962249B1 (en) * | 2008-05-14 | 2011-06-14 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Method and system for providing central control in an energy generating system |
TWI498705B (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2015-09-01 | Nat Semiconductor Corp | Method and system for selecting between centralized and distributed maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system |
US7991511B2 (en) | 2008-05-14 | 2011-08-02 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Method and system for selecting between centralized and distributed maximum power point tracking in an energy generating system |
WO2010002960A1 (en) | 2008-07-01 | 2010-01-07 | Satcon Technology Corporation | Photovoltaic dc/dc micro-converter |
US8098055B2 (en) | 2008-08-01 | 2012-01-17 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Step-up converter systems and methods |
US7619200B1 (en) | 2008-08-10 | 2009-11-17 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Device system and method for coupling multiple photovoltaic arrays |
US8264195B2 (en) | 2008-10-01 | 2012-09-11 | Paceco Corp. | Network topology for monitoring and controlling a solar panel array |
DE102008050402A1 (en) | 2008-10-04 | 2010-04-08 | Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. Kg | Circuit arrangement with a boost converter and inverter circuit with such a circuit arrangement |
US20100085670A1 (en) | 2008-10-07 | 2010-04-08 | Krishnan Palaniswami | Photovoltaic module monitoring system |
US7768155B2 (en) | 2008-10-10 | 2010-08-03 | Enphase Energy, Inc. | Method and apparatus for improved burst mode during power conversion |
WO2010042124A1 (en) | 2008-10-10 | 2010-04-15 | Ampt, Llc | Novel solar power circuits and powering methods |
US8273979B2 (en) | 2008-10-15 | 2012-09-25 | Xandex, Inc. | Time averaged modulated diode apparatus for photovoltaic application |
US8325059B2 (en) | 2008-11-12 | 2012-12-04 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and system for cost-effective power line communications for sensor data collection |
US8653689B2 (en) | 2008-11-12 | 2014-02-18 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Method and system for current-mode power line communications |
US8860241B2 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2014-10-14 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for using a power converter for transmission of data over the power feed |
EP2359455A2 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2011-08-24 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for using a power converter for transmission of data over the power feed |
US8362644B2 (en) | 2008-12-02 | 2013-01-29 | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. | Device, system, and method for managing an application of power from photovoltaic arrays |
US8648497B2 (en) | 2009-01-30 | 2014-02-11 | Renewable Power Conversion, Inc. | Photovoltaic power plant with distributed DC-to-DC power converters |
US9098485B2 (en) | 2009-04-13 | 2015-08-04 | Azimuth Systems, Inc. | Scalable architecture for testing wireless devices |
TWI484746B (en) | 2009-04-14 | 2015-05-11 | Ampt Llc | Solar energy power system, vacillatory method of solar energy power creation, method of solar energy power conversion, efficient method of solar energy power creation and method of solar energy power creation |
US9442504B2 (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2016-09-13 | Ampt, Llc | Methods and apparatus for adaptive operation of solar power systems |
CN102484364B (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2016-04-13 | 美国国家半导体公司 | By distributed MPPT maximum power point tracking, photovoltaic system is carried out to the system and method for overvoltage protection |
USD602432S1 (en) | 2009-04-23 | 2009-10-20 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Reverse current blocking module for use in a solar power installation |
US8039730B2 (en) | 2009-06-18 | 2011-10-18 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for prevention of open loop damage during or immediately after manufacturing |
US9312697B2 (en) | 2009-07-30 | 2016-04-12 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for addressing solar energy production capacity loss due to field buildup between cells and glass and frame assembly |
US8314375B2 (en) | 2009-08-21 | 2012-11-20 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | System and method for local string management unit |
WO2011049985A1 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2011-04-28 | Ampt, Llc | Novel solar panel string converter topology |
US8106543B2 (en) * | 2009-10-28 | 2012-01-31 | Chicony Power Technology Co., Ltd. | Solar generator and solar cell thereof distributively performing maximum power point tracking |
US20110115300A1 (en) * | 2009-11-18 | 2011-05-19 | Du Pont Apollo Ltd. | Converting device with multiple input terminals and two output terminals and photovoltaic system employing the same |
CN102111087A (en) * | 2009-11-24 | 2011-06-29 | 杜邦太阳能有限公司 | Smart virtual low voltage photovoltaic module and photovoltaic power system employing the same |
US8854193B2 (en) | 2009-12-29 | 2014-10-07 | Tigo Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for remote or local shut-off of a photovoltaic system |
US9342088B2 (en) * | 2009-12-31 | 2016-05-17 | Sunpower Corporation | Power point tracking |
US8975783B2 (en) * | 2010-01-20 | 2015-03-10 | Draker, Inc. | Dual-loop dynamic fast-tracking MPPT control method, device, and system |
US9042145B2 (en) | 2010-01-29 | 2015-05-26 | Platinum Gmbh | Circuit configuration with a step-up converter, and inverter circuit having such a circuit configuration |
DE102010006124B4 (en) | 2010-01-29 | 2015-04-09 | Platinum Gmbh | Circuit arrangement with a boost converter and inverter circuit with such a circuit arrangement |
TWI394349B (en) * | 2010-02-05 | 2013-04-21 | Univ Nat Chiao Tung | Solar power management system with maximum power tracking |
JP5298050B2 (en) | 2010-03-11 | 2013-09-25 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Switching power supply circuit |
US9035626B2 (en) | 2010-08-18 | 2015-05-19 | Volterra Semiconductor Corporation | Switching circuits for extracting power from an electric power source and associated methods |
JP2012060714A (en) | 2010-09-06 | 2012-03-22 | On Semiconductor Trading Ltd | Integrated circuit |
NO334513B1 (en) | 2010-11-01 | 2014-03-22 | Hi Turn As | Roller skating device |
CN102013853B (en) | 2010-12-10 | 2012-12-19 | 广东美的电器股份有限公司 | Solar control system capable of providing direct-current power supply and control method thereof |
US9366714B2 (en) | 2011-01-21 | 2016-06-14 | Ampt, Llc | Abnormality detection architecture and methods for photovoltaic systems |
JP5732272B2 (en) | 2011-02-14 | 2015-06-10 | ローム株式会社 | Switching power supply |
DE102011018355A1 (en) | 2011-04-20 | 2012-10-25 | Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. Kg | DC converter |
US20150008748A1 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2015-01-08 | Infineon Technologies Austria Ag | Power Converter Circuit, Power Supply System and Method |
US9673732B2 (en) | 2012-01-24 | 2017-06-06 | Infineon Technologies Austria Ag | Power converter circuit |
US9853565B2 (en) | 2012-01-30 | 2017-12-26 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Maximized power in a photovoltaic distributed power system |
US9960602B2 (en) | 2012-05-02 | 2018-05-01 | The Aerospace Corporation | Maximum power tracking among distributed power sources |
EP2973982B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2021-05-05 | Ampt, Llc | High efficiency interleaved solar power supply system |
US9397497B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-07-19 | Ampt, Llc | High efficiency interleaved solar power supply system |
DE102013005070B4 (en) | 2013-03-22 | 2015-03-26 | Platinum Gmbh | High-buck converter |
US9698868B2 (en) | 2013-07-25 | 2017-07-04 | eSMART Technologies SA | Power line communication device |
KR20200138348A (en) | 2018-03-30 | 2020-12-09 | 디 에이이에스 코포레이션 | Utility-scale renewable picker power plants, tightly coupled photovoltaic and energy storage |
EP3666570B1 (en) | 2018-12-10 | 2021-10-13 | Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co. Ltd. | Battery thermal management system for a vehicle |
US11824126B2 (en) | 2019-12-10 | 2023-11-21 | Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd. | Aligned metallization for solar cells |
-
2008
- 2008-03-14 CA CA2737134A patent/CA2737134C/en active Active
- 2008-03-14 US US12/682,889 patent/US7843085B2/en active Active
- 2008-03-14 PL PL08732274T patent/PL2212983T3/en unknown
- 2008-03-14 MX MX2010004129A patent/MX2010004129A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2008-03-14 EP EP17209600.0A patent/EP3324505B1/en active Active
- 2008-03-14 JP JP2010529986A patent/JP5498388B2/en active Active
- 2008-03-14 EP EP08732274.9A patent/EP2212983B1/en active Active
- 2008-03-14 WO PCT/US2008/057105 patent/WO2009051853A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-03-14 CN CN200880121009.0A patent/CN101904073B/en active Active
- 2008-04-15 US US12/682,882 patent/US8093756B2/en active Active
- 2008-04-15 WO PCT/US2008/060345 patent/WO2009051854A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-07-18 JP JP2010529991A patent/JP5508271B2/en active Active
- 2008-07-18 MX MX2010003802A patent/MX2010003802A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2008-07-18 WO PCT/US2008/070506 patent/WO2009051870A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-07-18 CN CN2008801211017A patent/CN101904015B/en active Active
- 2008-07-18 EP EP08796302.1A patent/EP2208236B1/en active Active
- 2008-07-18 CN CN2013101626696A patent/CN103296927A/en active Pending
- 2008-07-18 CA CA2702392A patent/CA2702392C/en active Active
- 2008-07-18 US US12/682,559 patent/US8242634B2/en active Active
-
2009
- 2009-01-30 US US12/363,709 patent/US7605498B2/en active Active
- 2009-10-19 US US12/581,726 patent/US7719140B2/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-11-29 US US12/955,704 patent/US8004116B2/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-05-10 HK HK11104607.4A patent/HK1150684A1/en unknown
- 2011-07-27 US US13/192,329 patent/US8304932B2/en active Active
- 2011-10-17 US US13/275,147 patent/US8482153B2/en active Active
-
2012
- 2012-01-09 US US13/346,532 patent/US20120104864A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2013
- 2013-07-02 US US13/934,102 patent/US9438037B2/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-03-07 JP JP2014044779A patent/JP5969526B2/en active Active
-
2016
- 2016-04-08 US US15/094,803 patent/US20160226257A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-07-25 US US15/219,149 patent/US9673630B2/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-06-02 US US15/612,892 patent/US20170271879A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-08-17 US US15/679,745 patent/US10608437B2/en active Active
- 2017-10-25 US US15/793,704 patent/US10326283B2/en active Active
-
2019
- 2019-06-12 US US16/439,430 patent/US11228182B2/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-03-30 US US16/834,639 patent/US11070062B2/en active Active
- 2020-09-29 US US17/036,630 patent/US10886746B1/en active Active
- 2020-10-05 US US17/063,669 patent/US11070063B2/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-07-19 US US17/379,516 patent/US11289917B1/en active Active
- 2021-11-29 US US17/537,116 patent/US12027867B2/en active Active
-
2022
- 2022-03-28 US US17/706,194 patent/US12027869B2/en active Active
- 2022-09-02 US US17/902,650 patent/US12003110B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050105224A1 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2005-05-19 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Inverter apparatus connected to a plurality of direct current power sources and dispersed-power-source system having inverter apparatus linked to commercial power system to operate |
Cited By (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US12003110B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2024-06-04 | Ampt, Llc | Optimized conversion system |
US11289917B1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2022-03-29 | Ampt, Llc | Optimized photovoltaic conversion system |
US11070062B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2021-07-20 | Ampt, Llc | Photovoltaic conversion systems |
US12027867B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2024-07-02 | Ampt, Llc | Coordinated converter reactively altering disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US9673630B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2017-06-06 | Ampt, Llc | Protected conversion solar power system |
US12027869B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2024-07-02 | Ampt, Llc | Optimized photovoltaic conversion configuration |
US9438037B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2016-09-06 | Ampt, Llc | Systems for optimized solar power inversion |
US11070063B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2021-07-20 | Ampt, Llc | Method for alternating conversion solar power |
US11228182B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2022-01-18 | Ampt, Llc | Converter disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US10608437B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2020-03-31 | Ampt, Llc | Feedback based photovoltaic conversion systems |
US10326283B2 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2019-06-18 | Ampt, Llc | Converter intuitive photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
US10886746B1 (en) | 2007-10-15 | 2021-01-05 | Ampt, Llc | Alternating conversion solar power system |
US10938219B2 (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2021-03-02 | Ampt, Llc | Dynamic methods and apparatus for adaptive operation of solar power systems |
US10326282B2 (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2019-06-18 | Ampt, Llc | Safety methods and apparatus for adaptive operation of solar power systems |
US9442504B2 (en) | 2009-04-17 | 2016-09-13 | Ampt, Llc | Methods and apparatus for adaptive operation of solar power systems |
US11411126B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2022-08-09 | Ampt, Llc | DC power conversion circuit |
US10714637B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2020-07-14 | Ampt, Llc | DC power conversion circuit |
US10032939B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2018-07-24 | Ampt, Llc | DC power conversion circuit |
US9466737B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2016-10-11 | Ampt, Llc | Solar panel string converter topology |
US12034087B2 (en) | 2009-10-19 | 2024-07-09 | Ampt, Llc | Solar panel power conversion circuit |
US11121556B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2021-09-14 | Ampt, Llc | Magnetically coupled solar power supply system for battery based loads |
US9397497B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-07-19 | Ampt, Llc | High efficiency interleaved solar power supply system |
US11967653B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2024-04-23 | Ampt, Llc | Phased solar power supply system |
US10116140B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-10-30 | Ampt, Llc | Magnetically coupled solar power supply system |
US12057514B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2024-08-06 | Ampt, Llc | Converter controlled solar power supply system for battery based loads |
CN115800406A (en) * | 2023-02-08 | 2023-03-14 | 深圳市中旭新能源有限公司 | Intelligent automatic power limiting power optimization device, photovoltaic system and control method of photovoltaic system |
Also Published As
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US12027867B2 (en) | Coordinated converter reactively altering disabling photovoltaic electrical energy power system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AND, LLC, COLORADO Free format text: NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNORS:PORTER, ROBERT M.;LEDENEV, ANATOLI;REEL/FRAME:027569/0533 Effective date: 20080414 Owner name: AMPT, LLC, COLORADO Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:AND, LLC;REEL/FRAME:027569/0718 Effective date: 20090406 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |