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
  • H02J4/00—Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as AC or DC
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05F—SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G05F1/00—Automatic systems in which deviations of an electric quantity from one or more predetermined values are detected at the output of the system and fed back to a device within the system to restore the detected quantity to its predetermined value or values, i.e. retroactive systems
  • G05F1/66—Regulating electric power
  • G05F1/67—Regulating electric power to the maximum power available from a generator, e.g. from solar cell
• • 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

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to solar power systems (also referred to as photovoltaic systems), and more particularly, to control hubs for coupling to a plurality of photovoltaic modules.
• PV photovoltaic
• the PV modules often include a solar energy absorption board, a junction box for connecting to other PV modules, a controller, and a power storage unit, such as a battery.
• the controller generally includes maximum power point tracking (MPPT) functionality to deliver maximum available power to the storage unit.
• MPPT maximum power point tracking
• the junction box and the controller are known to be mounted within a frame of the PV module. Multiple PV modules may be organized into an array, with each PV module including a controller, to provide an increased power output.
• a photovoltaic (PV) system includes a plurality of PV modules and a control hub coupled to the plurality of PV modules.
• the control hub includes a plurality of interface modules and a processing device coupled to the interface modules.
• Each of the interface modules includes a power converter coupled to a different one of the plurality of PV modules.
• the processing device is configured to control each of the power converters to control the PV module associated with the power converter.
• a control hub for a photovoltaic (PV) system including a plurality of PV modules
• the control hub includes a plurality of interface modules and a processing device coupled to the interface modules.
• Each of the plurality of interface modules includes a power converter and a connector.
• the connector is coupled to the power converter and configured for coupling to a PV module.
• the processing device is configured to control each of the power converters to control a PV module associated with said power converter.
• Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a photovoltaic (PV) system according to one example embodiment of the present disclosure.
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a portion of the PV system of Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a PV system according to another example embodiment.
• a solar power system (also referred to as a photovoltaic system) is illustrated in Fig. 1 and generally referenced 100.
• the solar power system 100 includes a control hub 102 and a string of photovoltaic (PV) modules 104a- 104c (generally referred to as PV modules 104).
• PV modules 104 are configured to convert solar energy into direct current (DC) electrical energy.
• DC direct current
• electrical energy is produced by each of the PV module 104 according to a current- voltage curve.
• the current-voltage curve defines a maximum power point (MPP) at which each of the PV modules 104 is operating at maximum power under particular conditions, such as shading, dirt, etc.
• MPP maximum power point
• the control hub 102 includes a plurality of interface modules 106a- 106c (generally referred to as interface modules 106).
• Each of the interface modules 106 includes a power converter 110a- 110c (generally referred to as power converters 110) and a connector 112a-112c coupled to a respective one of the PV modules 104.
• the control hub 102 includes a processing device 108 coupled to all of the interface modules 106 to control each of the power converters 110.
• Each power converter 110 may include any suitable circuit for converting the DC voltage supplied from the PV modules 104 into a desired voltage and/or current.
• power converters 110 may include a buck converter, a boost converter, a buck/boost converter, a charge balancer, and/or a power balancer, etc.
• each of the power converters 110 includes a buck converter.
• the power converters 110 buck the DC voltage supplied from the PV modules 104 to a desired voltage.
• Each of the power converters 110 is individually controlled by processing device 108 to control the associated PV module 104. More specifically, in this particular embodiment, the processing device 108 is configured to control the power converters 110 to substantially achieve MPPT in the associated PV module 104.
• a single control hub 102 may be employed to adjust and/or maximize electrical energy delivered from a plurality of PV modules 104. In this manner, the control hub 102 may replace individual MPPT controllers associated with each of multiple PV modules, without reduced functionality.
• control hub 102 described herein may provide cost savings, due to reduction in the number of communication links, processing devices, power supplies, housings, and/or cables, etc.
• the reduction and/or elimination of controllers at each of the individual PV module may further provide efficiencies in production and/or testing of the PV modules.
• a solar power system as described herein may provide efficiencies for service and/or upgrades by providing a single control hub for performing various functions associated with multiple PV modules.
• the processing device 108 may control power converters 110 in any suitable manner.
• the processing device 108 employs a time multiplexed maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to ensure each of the individual PV modules 104 is operating at or substantially close to its MPP.
• MPPT time multiplexed maximum power point tracking
• processing device 108 sequentially interrogates each of the interface modules 106 to determine if each of the PV modules 104 is operating within a desired range. If one or more of the PV modules 104 is outside the desired range, the processing devices 108 communicates with the associated interface module 106, specifically the associated power converter 110, to alter operation of the interface module 106.
• the processing device 108 periodically polls each of the interface modules 106 to ensure operation of the PV modules 104 within the desired range over time.
• Each of the interface modules 106 provides an output to a DC voltage bus 121.
• the voltage bus 121 is coupled to output connector 114 to supply a power output from control hub 102.
• each of the power converters 1 10 is connected in series to provide a total power output to the connector 114, which is substantially equal to the sum of the outputs of the individual interface modules 106. For example, if each of power converters 110 generates a 40VDC output voltage, the total output voltage of the control hub 102 is substantially equal to about 120VDC.
• a different number of interface modules 106 and/or PV modules 104 may be included in other embodiments.
• the number of interface modules 106 and/or PV modules 104 may be selected potentially based on a power requirement of a solar power system.
• a different number of interface modules 106 and PV modules 104 may be included to provide a voltage output of 600VDC, lOOOVDC, or other voltage/current requirement.
• multiple solar power systems may be coupled together to achieve a power requirement.
• a control hub 102 may include fifteen interface modules 106 coupled to fifteen PV modules 104; each interface module providing 40VDC.
• a series connection of the interface modules 106 provides an output voltage of 600VDC.
• each individual interface module 106 is connected across 40VDC, rather than the 600 VDC high- voltage output of the control hub 102.
• the output connector 114 may be coupled to an energy storage device 116, an electric grid 118, and/or both to supply electrical energy from the PV modules 104.
• the energy storage device 116 may include, without limitation, one or more batteries, capacitors, or other suitable devices for storing electrical energy.
• the control hub 102 When coupled to the electric grid 118, the control hub 102 may be coupled to the electric grid via a DC-AC inverter 120.
• the DC-AC inverter 120 may be suitable to generate any AC voltage from the total voltage output supplied from the control hub 102 at connector 114.
• the design of the DC- AC inverter 120 may be simplified based on a substantially known, fixed voltage provided from the control hub 102.
• the control hub 102 may be configured to avoid negative interactions between the power converters 110 and the DC-AC inverter 120, such as a race condition, etc.
• one or more inverter may be incorporated into a control hub. More specifically, a DC- AC inverter may be included in interface modules 106 to provide an AC output at the module-level or connected between DC voltage bus 121 and the output connector 1 14 to provide an AC output at the hub-level.
• a DC- AC inverter may be included in interface modules 106 to provide an AC output at the module-level or connected between DC voltage bus 121 and the output connector 1 14 to provide an AC output at the hub-level.
• Such an inverter may include a micro inverter, a string inverter or other suitable inverter, etc.
• the control hub 102 includes a communication interface 122 and a network connector 124.
• the communication interface 122 is coupled to the processing device 108 to provide communication, via network connector 124, to and/or from a network 126.
• the network 126 may include a WAN, a LAN, a wired network, a wireless network, and/or a cellular network, etc.
• the control hub 102 may be able to communicate to and/or from other devices in communication with the network 126.
• the control hub 102 includes a coupler 123 coupled between the communication interface 122 and the DC voltage bus 121.
• the coupler 123 is configured to interact with the DC voltage bus 121 to provide power line communication to and/or from the control hub 102.
• the network 126 includes the electric grid 118.
• the processing device 108 is configured to monitor one or more operating parameters of the control hub 102. Moreover, the processing device 108 is configured to monitor and/or receive one or more operating parameters from each of the PV modules 104. Operating parameters may include, without limitation, voltages, currents, temperatures, orientation of the PV module 104, etc. Accordingly, the processing device 108, in combination with communication interface 122, may provide system monitoring, via network 126, at the module-level and/or the hub-level.
• the processing device 108 may receive one or more commands from another device in communication with network 126. Specifically, for example, the processing device 108 may be commanded by a user to reduce total power output of the solar power system 100 and/or to shut down the solar power system 100.
• the processing device 108 may be configured to monitor temperatures conditions, control status indicators (e.g., LEDs, etc.), and/or store operating parameters, etc.
• the processing device 108 may be configured to control the orientation of one or more of the PV modules 104.
• the processing device 108 may control the orientation of the PV module 104 to track the sun across the sky.
• the processing device 108 may utilize communication interface 122. As such, a separate communication channel dedicated to a tracking system may be omitted.
• the control hub 102 may be co-located with the PV modules 104 in an outdoor environment, or located remotely from the PV modules 104.
• the control hub 102 may be mounted on a tracker system, a rack, or other suitable structure proximate to or remote from a string of PV modules.
• the control hub 102 includes an enclosure 125 for enclosing the processing device 108, the communication interface 122, and power converters 1 10.
• the enclosure 125 may be structured to protect one or more components of the control hub 102 from moisture, dust, debris, and/or weather conditions, etc.
• connectors 1 12 are substantially included within the enclosure 125, yet still accessible for coupling to the PV modules 104.
• the connectors 1 12 may be any suitable type of connectors for coupling to one of the PV modules to the respective power converter.
• connectors 112 may include MC3 connectors, MC4 connectors, and/or other suitable connectors.
• the processing device 102 may include, without limitation, one or more central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, logic devices, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable gate arrays, and any other device capable of operating as described herein.
• central processing units microprocessors, microcontrollers, logic devices, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable gate arrays, and any other device capable of operating as described herein.
• ASIC application specific integrated circuits
• Fig. 2 illustrates the control hub 102 (without enclosures 125).
• the control hub 102 includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) 128.
• the processing device 108 and the communication interface 122 are coupled to the main PCB 128.
• interface modules 106a and 106b are coupled to the main PCB 128.
• power converters 110a and 110b (not shown) and connectors 112a and 112b are soldered and/or otherwise substantially permanently connected to the main PCB 128.
• interface module 106c includes a module PCB 131.
• the module PCB 131 is structured to be plugged into a connector 132 of PCB 128. When interface module 106c is plugged into connector 132, the interface module 106c is electrically coupled to the processing device 108 and interface modules 106a and 106b.
• the interface module 106C is removable from control hub 102.
• the interface module 106c may be removed for maintenance, replacement, and/or upgrade with minimal impact on the control hub 102.
• processing device 108 may automatically recognize the addition of the interface module 106c and adjusts its operation accordingly.
• processing device 108 may automatically recognize the removal of the interface module 106c and adjusts its operation accordingly.
• interface modules 106 may be included in other control hub embodiments. Some or all of the interface modules 106 may be releasably received therein, consistent with interface module 106c. Additionally, or alternatively, some or all of the interface modules 106 may be substantially permanently fixed within the control hub, consistent with interface modules 106a and 106b.
• Fig. 3 illustrates a solar energy system 200 according to another exemplary embodiment.
• the solar power system includes control hub 202 and a string of PV modules 204a and 204b (generally referred to as PV modules 204).
• the control hub 202 includes multiple pigtails 234a and 234b (generally referred to as pigtails 234) extending from an enclosure 225.
• One end of pigtails 234 are terminated outside enclosure 225 at connectors 212a and 212b (generally connectors 212).
• the other end of pigtails 234 are terminated within the enclosure 225 of the control hub 202 to provide electrical power from PV modules 204 to the respective interface modules 206a and 206b (generally referred to as interface modules 206).
• the pigtails 234 may be four (4) to twelve (12) inches in length or another length to permit efficient coupling between connectors 212 and the PV modules 204.
• the pigtails 234 may be terminated (e.g., soldered, crimped, etc.) at a main PCB (not shown) of the control hub 202 or a module PCB (not shown) of the interface modules 206.
• each pigtail 234 is soldered to a module PCB of the respective interface modules 206.
• the module PCBs each include a power converter, consistent with the description above.
• cables 130 of Fig. 1 , cables 230, and/or pigtails 234 of Fig. 3 may include AWG10 wires, AWG12 wires, AWG14 wires, or other thickness of wire of sufficient capacity to handle electrical energy supplied from the PV modules 104 or 204 to the control hub 102 or 202.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Sustainable Energy (AREA)
• Sustainable Development (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Control Of Electrical Variables (AREA)
• Inverter Devices (AREA)
• Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
• Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
• Supply And Distribution Of Alternating Current (AREA)

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• 2012
  • 2012-05-04 WO PCT/US2012/036547 patent/WO2012154569A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2012-05-04 EP EP12729760.4A patent/EP2705414A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2012-05-04 JP JP2014509482A patent/JP2014520302A/ja active Pending
  • 2012-05-04 US US14/116,050 patent/US20140285023A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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