WO2021206540A1 - Switching matrix for reconfigurable pv modules and systems - Google Patents
Switching matrix for reconfigurable pv modules and systems Download PDFInfo
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- WO2021206540A1 WO2021206540A1 PCT/NL2021/050199 NL2021050199W WO2021206540A1 WO 2021206540 A1 WO2021206540 A1 WO 2021206540A1 NL 2021050199 W NL2021050199 W NL 2021050199W WO 2021206540 A1 WO2021206540 A1 WO 2021206540A1
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Classifications
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- 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
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/02—Details
- H01L31/02002—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations
- H01L31/02005—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/02008—Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the device in operations for device characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for solar cells or solar cell modules
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
- H02S40/30—Electrical components
- H02S40/34—Electrical components comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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 invention is in the field of a switching matrix for reconfigurable PV modules and systems, in order to compensate for sub-optimal functioning cells, such as due to shading, by automatically interconnecting cells and/or blocks to optimize output power of a PV-module or modules or systems.
- PV-systems In the field of energy conversion PV-systems are known. These systems generally use at least one PN-junction to convert solar energy to electricity.
- a disadvantage of such a system is that the conversion per se is not very efficient, typi cally, for Si-solar cells, limited to some 25%. Even using very advanced PV-cells, such as GaAs cells, the conversion is only about 30%. Inherently these systems are limited in their conversion.
- Partial shading is a very common problematic that affects a large number of photovoltaic systems in the urban environment. Partial shading can be caused by trees, buildings, chimneys, dormers or any other object that can cast a shadow on the surface of a solar panel.
- Solar cell in conventional photovoltaic modules have a fixed interconnection which maximizes the electrical performance under uniform irradiance conditions. When a module is partially shaded, the irradi- ance on the surface of the PV module is not uniform. Modules that are designed to operate most of the time under uniform illumination perform very poorly under non-uniform illumination.
- Bypassing elements comprise different types of passive semiconductor-based devices which are connected in parallel to groups of solar cells. When solar cells are partially shaded, the di odes offer an alternative path to the excess of current generated by the more illuminated cells.
- Commercial modules usually include 3 bypass elements which are generally connected to groups of 20 or 24 solar cells. Recently, the active bypass technology has been developed to reduce hot spot even more and provide higher efficiency.
- groups of solar cells are interconnected forming both series and parallel connections. The interconnections be tween cells are fixed and cannot be changed.
- Half-cell solar modules such as REC Alpha series modules. However, for these techniques still a considerable amount of PV module power is lost when a small area of shade is present (1/3 of the PV module power or even more).
- US 2011/073150 A1 recites diode-less terrestrial photovoltaic solar power arrays, i.e. without blocking diodes and/or without bypass diodes.
- the arrays may comprise a solar array tracker, a controller, and an inverter. When the controller senses that the solar module power is below a threshold level, the controller com mands the solar tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination.
- WO 2017/048597 Al recites de-energizing a photovoltaic (PV) system, which may include de tecting a resistance between a first photovoltaic unit and ground, wherein the first photovoltaic unit is connected to at least one additional photovoltaic unit. If the resistance is less than a threshold, the first photovoltaic unit is shorted by connecting a positive conductor of the first photovoltaic unit with a negative conductor of the first photovoltaic unit.
- PV photovoltaic
- Shorting the first pho tovoltaic unit causes the at least one additional photovoltaic unit to detect the resistance that is less than the threshold, thereby shorting the at least one additional photovoltaic unit by connect ing a positive conductor of the at least one additional photovoltaic unit with a negative conductor of the at least one additional photovoltaic unit.
- WO 2014/169295 Al recites a solar photovoltaic module laminate for electric power generation.
- a plurality of solar cells is embedded within module laminate and arranged to form at least one string of electrically interconnected solar cells within said module laminate.
- a plurality of power optimizers is embedded within the module laminate and electrically interconnected to and powered with the plurality of solar cells.
- Each of the distributed power optimizers capable of operating in either pass-through mode without local maximum- power-point tracking (MPPT) or switching mode with local maximum-power- point tracking (MPPT) and having at least one associated bypass switch for distributed shade manage ment.
- MPPT local maximum- power-point tracking
- MPPT local maximum-power
- WO 2019/143242 A1 recites a cell-level power managed PV-module, and a method of op erating said module, such as operating a large number of PV-modules, such as in a solar farm. Typically a multitude of individual PV-cells is present at a front side of the module that need to be operated and controlled.
- the present invention therefore relates to an improved cell-level power managed PV-mod- ule, and a method of operating such a module, which solve one or more of the above problems and drawbacks of the prior art, providing reliable results, without jeopardizing functionality and advantages.
- the present invention relates to a cell-level power managed PV-module comprising a multitude of individual PV-cells (i,j) located at a front side of the module, in an array of n*m cells, ie[2;n], and je[2;m], a junction box (10) comprising a switch driver circuit (11) adapted to provide individual input to and driving a switching matrix (12), the switching matrix adapted to electrically reconnect at least one PV-cell (13), preferably reconnect blocks of PV-cell, wherein each block comprises at least one PV-cell, and adapted to receive input from the at least one PV- cells, at least one sensor (14) per block of PV-cells adapted to receive input from the at least one PV-cell (13), optionally a self-start circuit (15), a power management circuit (16) adapted to re ceive input from the at least one PV-cell and/or optional self-start circuit (15), a power converter (18), preferably a power converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) adapted to pro vide input to the power
- the present invention relates to an electronic circuit capable of changing the electrical connec tions between "reconfigurable blocks", which are groups of series-connected photovoltaic solar cells.
- the electrical power that can be extracted from a PV module may depend on the intercon nection between the reconfigurable blocks and on the shading profile on the surface of the solar panel.
- the present invention is adapted to automatically recognize the shading profile on the so lar panel's surface and then choose the best interconnection of reconfigurable blocks to maximize the output power of the solar panel.
- the block diagram of figure 1 shows main system compo nents. Sensors may be used to identify which cells of the PV modules are shaded, such as current sensors and/or irradiance sensors.
- the main processing unit determines which of all the possible con figurations of the PV module offers the highest output power.
- Partial implementations of the switching matrix may also be possible.
- the matrix in Fig 2 has 25 switches and it allows the module to adopt 27 electrically different configurations.
- the 6 blocks of cells in the figure can be all in parallel by closing switches 12b and 12a and opening all the switches 12c, or all in series by closing switches 12c and opening switches 12a and 12b, or in 25 different series-parallel configurations with other combinations of opened and closed switches.
- the switch driver circuit conditions the signals generated by the main processing unit to control which of the switches in the switching matrix must be opened or closed.
- the positive and negative terminals of the photovoltaic module are connected to a power converter (either DC-DC or DC-AC) that extracts the maximum power out of the selected mod ule configuration.
- the system may include a self-start circuit, which allows it to start up the main processing unit using the power extracted from the reconfigurable blocks. Once the processing unit is operative, the maximum power point tracking algorithm (MPPT) in the power converter starts extracting power from the module. This converter can be used to power an external load and to supply power to the internal circuit.
- the present junction box provides e.g. a reconfigura ble PV module, a shade tolerant PV module, and a dynamic reconfigurable switching matrix.
- the present design of the switching matrix allows to minimize conduction losses and the number of required components.
- the present solution is not restricted to two reconfigurable blocks, it is scalable. No bypass diodes are required to protect the reconfigurable blocks of cells.
- the way in which switches and reconfigurable blocks are connected with each other is considered a further improvement.
- An improved design of the switch driving circuit that is needed to condition the signals to open and close the switches is provided. And it may comprise a self-starting circuit, which eliminates the need for external power sources to power up the invention. It allows to maximize the power extracted from partially shaded photovoltaic systems.
- the present module comprises at least one switch per block of PV-cells for reconnecting or disconnecting said block of PV-cells at a positive side of the block of cells and at least one switch at a negative side of the block of cells(see e.g. fig. 2).
- each PV-cell e [l,n-l] comprises one first switch (12a) at either a positive or negative side of a PV-cell, each first switch connecting or dis connecting to a positive or negative load respectively, and in a row of n PV-cells each PV-cell e [2,n] comprises n second switches (12b, c) at the other side of a PV-cell, each second switch (12b) either connecting or disconnecting to the other load respectively, or each second switch (12c) connecting or disconnecting to an opposite side of an n-l th to 1 st PV-cell respectively.
- the present solution allows to increase the electrical power output of a solar panel under partial shading conditions.
- the present solution can be added to existing photovoltaic systems to increase their yield. It allows to identify the illumination conditions on the surface of the solar panel using sensors and the to change the connection between solar cells using a switching ma trix. If the module is uniformly illuminated, the module will have more series connections, while if it is partially shaded it will have more parallel connections. Additionally, the solution can be self-powered with the solar cells in the solar panel eliminating the need for batteries or an exter nal power supply. However, the power needed by the processing unit could also be drawn from a battery or an external electrical source.
- the module may comprise a multitude of PV-cells (i,j), typically a physical array of n*m cells, ie[l;n], and j e[l;m], wherein n may be from 2-2 10 , preferably 3-2 8 , more preferably 4-2 6 , even more preferably 5-2 5 , such as 6-2 4 , and wherein m may be from 2-2 10 , preferably 3-2 8 , more preferably 4-2 6 , even more preferably 5-2 5 , such as 6-2 4 .
- the PV-cells may be located at a front side of the module, typically facing the sun.
- the present cells may be operated individually, and combinations of electrically connected cells, in parallel, in se ries, or a combination thereof, are established based on operational characteristics of individual cells.
- the electrical operation topology is most likely very different from a physical topology with the array of n*m cells.
- each individual cell is individ ually connected by electrical connections to a junction box and controlled by a switching net work.
- the switching network is aimed at providing an electrically based order.
- the switching network comprises a plurality of switchable elements for opening or closing electrical connec tions, a processor for actively controlling the switchable elements, such as by opening and clos ing these, a current and/or irradiance sensor per cell, the switching network forming at least one string of PV-cells by electrically connecting k PV-cells, typically a memory, and a plurality of switches and may comprise a wireless transceiver. Based on operational characteristics of indi vidual cells these cells are mutually connected in parallel, in series, or a combination thereof, or are left out, such that an optimal power output is achieved.
- connections are contin uously re-evaluated in terms of power output, and an electrical configuration of PV-cells and the junction box is provided when in operation; this configuration therefore comprises active and contributing PV-cells, electrical connections from the cells to the junction box, the switched net work in the junction box, and leaves out underperforming or inactive PV-cells.
- Connection may be established or switched off at a frequency of O.lHz-1 MHz, and typically at a rate above 40 kHz.
- the present switch may be controlled by a MOSFET or bipolar transistor, which may be of NPN or PNP type.
- the switching network provides a response based on input provided by the sensors, and optionally by temperature sensors.
- recorded data from the memory may be compared with a previous set of data, such as for establishing a working condition (e.g. in terms of voltage and current) of all individual cells.
- the (micro-)processor can than switch the network such that a maximum output is obtained.
- the processor can evaluate safety issues, such as by identifying to hot cells, and shorts.
- Various possible scenarios of operation may occur.
- a first scenario the same or almost the same current is measured by all the current sensors.
- all cells are considered to be in operation under uniform irradiation and the cells have compared to an average c.q. to one and another a minor mismatch.
- Any electrical configuration is now possible and typically all the strings of cells may be connected in series to minimize Joule losses.
- a second scenario one sensor measures a current slightly different (e.g. l%-2%) from all of the rest. There seems to be no need for immediate action and switch-states are not modified. It may be assumed that to the small current difference corresponding cells are sub-optimally functioning, such as caused by dust, cracking, ageing, an inherent mis-match, or a combination thereof.
- the cause may be deter mined based on a time duration of the situation.
- the control circuit or con troller, or processor
- the control circuit can decide whether it is better to change the active switch configuration, or not.
- an alarm may be generated and sent to an operator, such that a visual inspection of the module may be performed.
- a significantly lower amount of current such as 5%-100%, passes through at least one current sensor.
- the to the lower current corre sponding cells may be shaded significantly or damaged seriously, which now may force the con troller to change the state of the switches, such as favouring module configurations with more parallel connections.
- the con trol circuit may decide whether to keep the corresponding configuration or to switch to a differ ent one, which may be determined on a maximum power or on safety requirements.
- Different module topologies might be envisaged.
- the amount of reconfigurable groups, the amount of cells per reconfigurable groups, the size of the solar cells and the position of the solar cells in the PV module may be chosen to increase the shade resilience of the PV module, to reduce conduction losses, etc. As such the invention provides for a variety in possible circuits.
- a smart cell-level power managed PV module may contain a printed circuit board inside its junction box while reconfigurable (groups of) PV cells of the modules are typically connected to this box through a back-sheet routing system.
- This smart PV module can understand the working condition of its cells and manage them to ob- tain a highest available power. It may also provide communication signals containing infor mation about working condition PV cells for the user. Therefore, more energy will be saved dur ing shading and a PV system user may also be notified about the working condition of every in dividual cell within the PV system.
- the ability to decide when and which bypass elements should be turned on or off to obtain a maximum possible power is novel. So obtained results are a higher efficiency, a longer life-time, improved grid stability, and more reliability for Smart cell-level power managed PV module in comparison with current commercially available PV modules, and therefore a lower cost of ownership.
- the present switching network with many bypass elements is controlled by a (micro-)pro- cessor to make the module intelligent and robust against non-uniform irradiation conditions.
- the processor is adapted, such as by programming, to give the module the ability to detect its own working condition, select the best circuit topology for that specific working condition, and also providing information for a PV system user through a communication circuit and monitoring system.
- the present invention relates to a method of operating a PV-module comprising n*m cells, and a switching network comprising a plurality of switches, a processor for controlling the switches, a sensor per cell, wherein each PV-cell is individually connected by electrical connections to and controlled by the switching network, comprising receiving for at least two cells sensor output per cell, and connecting or disconnecting switches.
- the present invention relates to a junction box (10) comprising a switch driver circuit (11) adapted to provide individual input to and driving a switching matrix (12), the switching matrix adapted to electrically reconnect at least one PV-cell (13), preferably reconnect blocks of PV-cell, wherein each block comprises at least one PV-cell, and adapted to receive in put from the at least one PV-cells, at least one sensor (14) per block of PV-cells adapted to re ceive input from the at least one PV-cell (13), optionally a self-start circuit (15), a power man agement circuit (16) adapted to receive input from the at least one PV-cell and/or optional self start circuit (15), a power converter (18), preferably a power converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) adapted to provide input to the power management circuit, adapted to provide load, and adapted to receive input from the at least one PV-cell, a main processing unit (17), such as a microcontroller, the main processing unit adapted to receive input from sensors, adapted to receive input from sensors,
- the present invention relates to a computer program comprising instruc tions, the instructions causing the computer to carry out the following steps: receiving input from at least one sensor (14), receiving input from the power management circuit (16), providing input to the switch driver circuit (11), providing input to the power management circuit (16), and providing input to the power converter (18).
- the present module and likewise the present method may comprise further elements or details, as provided throughout the description, and in particular in the claims.
- the present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks.
- the present invention relates in a first aspect to a module according to claim 1.
- the switching matrix may comprise electrically controllable switches, such as controllable by a transistor, such as a MOSFET, such as an N-channel MOSFET or p-channel MOSFET, or an NPN or PNP bipolar junction transistor, e.g. in electrical connection a transistor and a diode as a bidirectional half control switch.
- a transistor such as a MOSFET, such as an N-channel MOSFET or p-channel MOSFET, or an NPN or PNP bipolar junction transistor, e.g. in electrical connection a transistor and a diode as a bidirectional half control switch.
- the present module may comprise at least one switch per block of cells for reconnecting or disconnecting said block of cells.
- the present module may comprise at least one switch per block of PV-cells for reconnecting or disconnecting said block of PV-cells at a positive side of the block of cells and at least one switch at a negative side of the block of cellsat each cell, apart from a first cell in a block (see e.g. fig. 2).
- the present module may comprise at least one sensor (14) per PV-cell.
- the PV-cell may be selected from conventional homo-junction and heterojunction solar cells, mono-facial and bi-facial solar cells, n-type and p-type mono-crystalline Si, micro-crystalline Si bulk, front contacted solar cells, back contacted solar cells, front and rear junction solar cells, and interdigitated back contacted solar cells, and combinations thereof.
- the junction box may be located at a back side of the module and may preferably be centrally placed.
- the junction box may be an inte grated circuit or PCB.
- the junction box may be located on a back of the PV-module, on the edge of the PV-module, or incorporated in the PV-module, such as inside the lamination (e.g. in between the glass sheet).
- the junction box may comprise a printed circuit board provided with a power circuit.
- the main processing unit may com prise at least one of a clock, a ground, a Vcc, an AD current, an AD-voltage, and a temperature sensor.
- the present module may comprise a communication circuit.
- the present module may comprise embedded software for operating the module, and optionally comprising an alarm.
- the present module may be used in a photo-voltaic system, wherein the system is prefer ably selected from building integrated photovoltaics, vehicle integrated photovoltaics, and urban photovoltaic systems.
- a cell temperature may be measured.
- an output power of at least two cells may be measured.
- the present method 2 6 -2 20 PV modules may be maintained and operated.
- each individ ual cell (i,j) may have a thickness of ⁇ 0.1 mm, a width of ⁇ 10 mm, and a length of ⁇ 200 cm, and optionally a doping of l*10 17 /cm 3 -5*10 19 /cm 3 , preferably such that power losses are mini mal.
- the present module may comprise at least one power pro vider selected from a battery, a battery charger, and a voltage regulator.
- Figs. 1-2 show schematics of a topology of the present junction box 10 and connections es tablished therewith.
- FIGS. 3a-b show a comparison between a prior art layout and the present layout. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In the figures:
- the reconfigurable photovoltaic blocks (13) consists of a number of cells con nected in series (at least two).
- the number of reconfigurable blocks in a PV module and the number of solar cells in each reconfigurable block can vary from one implementation to another.
- Each reconfigurable group is electrically connected in series with a current sensor (14) and to the switching matrix (12) as shown in Fig. 2.
- the main processing unit generates as many signals as switches in the switching matrix. This signals are electrically condi tioned (in terms of current, voltage and frequency) by the switch driver circuit (11) to open and close different combination of switches.
- the power management circuit (16) allows to power up the main processing unit and the switch driver circuit (11).
- the required power can be provided by an external battery or, as shown in Fig. 1, by the solar cells in the same PV module.
- a self-start circuit (15) is required.
- the self-start circuit ex tracts power from at least one of the reconfigurable photovoltaic blocks and stores the energy in (for example) a capacitor. Once there is sufficient energy stored, the power management circuit will power the main processing unit and the switch driver, which in turn will allow to control the state of the switches in (12). While the module is in open circuit (i.e. no power converter (18) connected) the system remains in a stand-by mode where the states of the switches in the matrix remain unchanged and (11) and (17) continue to be powered by at least one reconfigurable block of cells (or a battery in case there is no self-start circuit).
- a power converter is connected to the output of the PV module (i.e., the left- and right-most terminals in Fig. 2) and this allows power to flow to a load (19) (which can also be the mains electrical grid).
- the power management circuit (16) disconnects the self-start circuit from the blocks of cells and starts to take power from the power converter (18).
- the energy required by (16) is provided by the abovementioned capacitor.
- the reconfigurable module enters a new state in which every a certain interval of time (e.g. 1 minute) the current of the reconfigurable blocks are measured, the algorithm implemented in (17) decides the best configuration and then (17) and (11) update the open/closed state of each of the switches in (12). In the meanwhile, the power converter (18) continues to extract power from the positive and negative terminals of the module and delivers it to the load (19).
- a certain interval of time e.g. 1 minute
- Figs. 3a-b show a comparison between a prior art layout and the present layout.
- Fig. 3a relates to the switching matrix disclosed in WO 2019/143242 Al.
- the switching network com prising a plurality of switchable bypass elements. It covers modules with "switchable bypass ele ments" and it is explained that a switchable bypass elements is a combination of at least one by pass elements (also known as bypass diode or smart bypass diode as shown in Fig. 1(b) thereof) and one or more switches. These switches can only be used connect or disconnect the bypass ele ment from the PV cell but they cannot be used to connect or disconnect one PV cell from an other.
- pass elements also known as bypass diode or smart bypass diode as shown in Fig. 1(b) thereof
- Page 6, line 23-31 mentions that "In a second aspect the present invention relates to a method of operating a PV-module comprising n*m cells, and a switching network comprising a plurality of switchable bypass elements, a current or voltage sensor per cell, wherein each PV- cell is individually connected by electrical connections to and controlled by the switching net work, comprising receiving for at least two cells a cell current, and a cell voltage, and connecting or disconnecting a switchable bypass element".
- fig. 3a these are represented as switches, for the sake of comparing topologies.
- the scalability of matrix proposed in WO 2019/143242 Al is considered to be conditioned by the limitations of the technology that exists today (and in the foreseeable future). These limitations have to do with the physical properties of the semiconduc tor materials that are used to make the switches.
- the approach in the present patent application is less general. It has as main advantages:
- a reconfigurable module Under uniform illumination, a reconfigurable module will typically always aim to connect all the cells (or groups of cells) in series to minimize losses. Under such a condition, it is found cru cial to minimize the number of switches in the path of the electrical current, such as to reduce heat dissipation. As shown in the figures 3a, b, in the prior art approach 3 switches per cell are required (a total of 9), while in the present approach only 1 switch per cell is required (a total of
Abstract
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Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/995,627 US20230327452A1 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2021-03-25 | Switching matrix for reconfigurable pv modules and systems |
AU2021253484A AU2021253484A1 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2021-03-25 | Switching matrix for reconfigurable PV modules and systems |
CA3174672A CA3174672A1 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2021-03-25 | Switching matrix for reconfigurable pv modules and systems |
EP21714278.5A EP4133531A1 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2021-03-25 | Switching matrix for reconfigurable pv modules and systems |
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NL2025292A NL2025292B1 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2020-04-07 | Switching matrix for reconfigurable PV modules and systems |
NL2025292 | 2020-04-07 |
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WO2021206540A1 true WO2021206540A1 (en) | 2021-10-14 |
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PCT/NL2021/050199 WO2021206540A1 (en) | 2020-04-07 | 2021-03-25 | Switching matrix for reconfigurable pv modules and systems |
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US (1) | US20230327452A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4133531A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2021253484A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3174672A1 (en) |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US11322972B2 (en) * | 2021-09-03 | 2022-05-03 | John Ickes | Shade mitigation systems and devices |
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US20110073150A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | The Boeing Company | Diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power array |
WO2014169295A1 (en) | 2013-04-13 | 2014-10-16 | Solexel, Inc. | Smart photovoltaic cells and modules |
WO2017048597A1 (en) | 2015-09-14 | 2017-03-23 | Alliance For Sustainable Energy, Llc | Devices and methods for de-energizing a photovoltaic system |
WO2019143242A1 (en) | 2018-01-18 | 2019-07-25 | Technische Universiteit Delft | Smart cell-level power managed pv module |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9048353B2 (en) * | 2008-07-01 | 2015-06-02 | Perfect Galaxy International Limited | Photovoltaic DC/DC micro-converter |
GB201316903D0 (en) * | 2013-09-24 | 2013-11-06 | Univ Leuven Kath | An Intra-Module DC-DC Converter |
-
2020
- 2020-04-07 NL NL2025292A patent/NL2025292B1/en active
-
2021
- 2021-03-25 WO PCT/NL2021/050199 patent/WO2021206540A1/en unknown
- 2021-03-25 US US17/995,627 patent/US20230327452A1/en active Pending
- 2021-03-25 AU AU2021253484A patent/AU2021253484A1/en active Pending
- 2021-03-25 EP EP21714278.5A patent/EP4133531A1/en active Pending
- 2021-03-25 CA CA3174672A patent/CA3174672A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110073150A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | The Boeing Company | Diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power array |
WO2014169295A1 (en) | 2013-04-13 | 2014-10-16 | Solexel, Inc. | Smart photovoltaic cells and modules |
WO2017048597A1 (en) | 2015-09-14 | 2017-03-23 | Alliance For Sustainable Energy, Llc | Devices and methods for de-energizing a photovoltaic system |
WO2019143242A1 (en) | 2018-01-18 | 2019-07-25 | Technische Universiteit Delft | Smart cell-level power managed pv module |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11322972B2 (en) * | 2021-09-03 | 2022-05-03 | John Ickes | Shade mitigation systems and devices |
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CA3174672A1 (en) | 2021-10-14 |
NL2025292B1 (en) | 2021-10-25 |
US20230327452A1 (en) | 2023-10-12 |
EP4133531A1 (en) | 2023-02-15 |
AU2021253484A1 (en) | 2022-10-27 |
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