Solar photovoltaic systems

摘要

Improved techniques for photovoltaic power generation are described. Inverter failure is can be a significant problem in solar photovoltaic systems as it can lead to loss of opportunity to harvest energy. A solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is described comprising solar PV panels and power conditioning units. A dc power distribution bus is coupled to the solar PV panels and the power conditioning units to switchably share dc power from the solar PV panels between the power conditioning units. Power distribution controllers detect a faulty power conditioning unit and reroute power from a solar PV panel coupled to the faulty power conditioning unit to other power conditioning units via the dc distribution bus.

主权项

1. A solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation system comprising:
a plurality of solar PV panels, each comprising a dc output for delivering dc power; a plurality of power conditioning units, each comprising (1) a dc power input that is coupled to the dc output of a corresponding solar PV panel of the plurality of solar PV panels and (2) an ac mains power supply output for delivering an ac mains supply; a dc power distribution bus that is coupled to (1) each of the plurality of solar PV panels through a first switch for receiving dc power from the solar PV panel and (2) each of the plurality of power conditioning units through a second switch for distributing the received dc power to the power conditioning unit; and a plurality of power distribution controllers that are each coupled to a corresponding power conditioning unit, wherein each power distribution controller is configured to control the second switch of the corresponding power conditioning unit for receiving dc power from the dc power distribution bus, wherein each of the plurality of power distribution controllers comprises a fault detector that is configured to detect a faulty power conditioning unit, wherein, in response to detecting the faulty power conditioning unit, the power distribution controller is further configured to distribute the dc power from the dc output of the solar PV panel coupled to the faulty power conditioning unit to other power conditioning units of the plurality of power conditioning units via the dc distribution bus.