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 photovoltaic system, comprising:
a plurality of photovoltaic modules; a plurality of management units coupled with the plurality of photovoltaic modules respectively, wherein
each respective module in the photovoltaic modules generates electric power;a respective management unit in the plurality of management units is connected to the respective module to receive the electric power as an input and generate a power output from the input; andpower outputs of the plurality of management units are connected in series; wherein the power outputs of the plurality of management units have respective maximum currents in current-voltage output characteristics of the power outputs of the plurality of management units; and wherein the plurality of management units are configured to match the respective maximum currents with each other by adjusting the current-voltage output characteristics of the power outputs of the plurality of management units.