Enhanced systems and methods for using a power converter for balancing modules in single-string and multi-string configurations

摘要

Apparatuses and methods include a solar array having one or more string buses of series-connected solar modules. The current outputs from the solar modules on each string bus can be balanced along with the voltage output from the string buses. Local management units coupled between the solar modules and the string buses are configured to control the voltage output from each solar module. When the solar modules on each string are balanced, and when the string buses are balanced (or before the solar modules and string buses are balanced), an inverter or other device connected to the solar array can find the array's maximum power point via a maximum power point tracking algorithm.

主权项

1. A solar array comprising:
a plurality of string buses connected in parallel in the solar array; a plurality of solar modules, wherein
each respective solar module of the solar modules has a local management unit configured to provide, to one of the string buses, electrical power generated by the respective solar module, andeach respective string bus of the string buses connects in series electrical power provided by local management units of a subset of the solar modules in the respective string bus; a controller configured to communicate with local management units of the solar modules to:
adjust current-voltage output characteristics of at least one solar module in the respective string bus to cause the at least one solar module to have a maximum module current output that matches with maximum module current outputs of the other solar modules in the respective string bus; andadjust current-voltage output characteristics of at least one string bus to cause the at least one string bus to have a maximum string voltage output that matches with maximum string voltage outputs of the other string buses connected in parallel in the solar array; and a maximum power point tracker coupled with the string buses to receive electrical power from the string buses in parallel, the maximum power point tracker configured to track a maximum power point of the plurality of string buses by varying a current passing through the maximum power point tracker at a time when the solar modules in the respective string bus are configured via the local management units to have the maximum module current output in current-voltage output characteristics and the string buses in the solar array are configured via the local management units to have the maximum string voltage output in current-voltage output characteristics.