MAXIMIZING POWER OUTPUT OF SOLAR PANEL ARRAYS

摘要

A system for generating electric power includes a first DC source, a second DC source and a shared optimizer. The first DC source provides a first voltage across a first node and a second node, while the second DC source provides a second voltage across the second node and a third node. The shared optimizer is designed to provide a first programmable current source between the first node and the second node as well as a second programmable current source between the second node and the third node. In an embodiment, the first and second DC sources are solar panels, and the optimizer includes a DC-DC converter, which operates to maximize power output of the solar panels. The use of a single (shared) optimizer may obviate the need for separate optimizers for each solar panel, and thereby reduce system cost.

主权项

1. A system for generating electric power, said system comprising:
a first DC source to provide a first voltage across a first node and a second node, a second DC source to provide a second voltage across said second node and a third node; and a shared optimizer to provide a first programmable current source between said first node and said second node as well as a second programmable current source between said second node and said third node.