A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Method for distributed power harvesting using DC power sources

A digital average-input current-mode control loop for a DC/DC power converter. The power converter may be, for example, a buck converter, boost converter, or cascaded buck-boost converter. The purpose of the proposed control loop is to set the average converter input current to the requested current. Controlling the average input current can be relevant for various applications such as power factor correction (PFC), photovoltaic converters, and more. The method is based on predicting the inductor current based on measuring the input voltage, the output voltage, and the inductor current. A fast cycle-by-cycle control loop may be implemented. The conversion method is described for three different modes. For each mode a different control loop is used to control the average input current, and the control loop for each of the different modes is described. Finally, the algorithm for switching between the modes is disclosed.

Digital Average Input Current Control in Power Converter

A distributed power system including multiple (DC) batteries each DC battery with positive and negative poles Multiple power converters are coupled respectively to the DC batteries Each power converter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal The first terminal is adapted for coupling to the positive pole The second terminal is adapted for coupling to the negative pole The power converter includes: (i) a control loop adapted for setting the voltage between or current through the first and second terminals, and (ii) a power conversion portion adapted to selectively either: convert power from said first and second terminals to said third and fourth terminals to discharge the battery connected thereto, or to convert power from the third and fourth terminals to the first and second terminals to charge the battery connected thereto Each of the power converters is adapted for serial connection to at least one other power converter by connecting respectively the third and fourth terminals, thereby forming a serial string A power controller is adapted for coupling to the serial string The power controller includes a control part adapted to maintain current through or voltage across the serial string at a predetermined value

Distributed power system using direct current power sources

A method for providing non-resonant zero-voltage switching in a switching power converter. The switching power converter converts power from input power to output power during multiple periodic switching cycles. The switching power converter includes a main switch and an auxiliary capacitor adapted for connecting to the main switch, and an inductor connectible to the auxiliary capacitor. When the main switch is on, a previously charged (or previously discharged) auxiliary capacitor is connected to the main switch with auxiliary switches. The main switch is switched off with zero voltage while discharging non-resonantly (charging) the auxiliary capacitor by providing a current path to the inductor. The auxiliary capacitor is disconnected from the main switch.

Zero voltage switching

Automatically determining issues associated with a photovoltaic (PV) system. Information regarding the PV system may be stored. The information may include logical information regarding a logical configuration of the PV system and physical information regarding a physical layout of the PV system. Measurement data regarding the PV system may be received. The measurement data regarding the PV system may be automatically analyzed using the logical information and the physical information. An indication of any issues determined by said analyzing may be automatically provided.

Automatic Monitoring and Adjustment of a Solar Panel Array

A solar panel monitoring device and method is disclosed. The solar panel monitoring smart device comprises at least one power source or input; at least one sensor connected to the input, where the at least one sensor is adapted to responsively generate monitoring information on the input with which it is associated; a processor for receiving the monitoring information regarding the input from each of the sensors, and adapted to forward the received monitoring information; and a transmission chip for receiving the monitoring information, packetizing the monitoring information, and transmitting to a remote location.

PramodKumar Maganlal Patel

Papers

Smart device for enabling real-time monitoring, measuring, managing and reporting of energy by solar panels and method therefore