Photovoltaic inverter
View Patent ↗A DC to AC inverter used in a solar cell power system can include an improved control scheme for cooling itself and optimizing power output.
1. A DC to AC inverter unit comprising:
an enclosure;
a DC to AC inverter within the enclosure, the inverter having a rated power output at a first temperature within the enclosure;
an input power sensor configured to monitor input power;
a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature within the enclosure;
a cooling unit in thermal communication with the inverter; and
a cooling unit controller capable of adjusting the cooling unit based on the input power and the temperature within the enclosure.
2. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to have an optimized power output over the rated power output.
3. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit comprises a cooling air fan.
4. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit comprises an air conditioner.
5. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , further comprising a DC input from a solar module to the DC to AC inverter.
6. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 5% over the rated power output.
7. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 15% over the rated power output.
8. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to keep the temperature in the enclosure below about 50 degrees C.
9. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to keep the temperature in the enclosure below about 30 degrees C.
10. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to keep the temperature in the enclosure below about 20 degrees C.
11. A method of cooling a DC to AC inverter, comprising:
measuring the temperature inside an enclosure cooled by a cooling unit, the enclosure including a DC to AC inverter having a rated power output at a first temperature, wherein the DC to AC inverter is electrically connected to a photovoltaic array;
measuring the voltage output of the photovoltaic array; and
controlling the cooling unit based on the temperature inside the enclosure and the voltage output of the photovoltaic array.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cooling unit comprises a cooling air fan.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cooling unit comprises an air conditioner.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 5% over the rated power output.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 15% over the rated power output.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the temperature in the enclosure below about 50 degrees C.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the temperature in the enclosure below about 30 degrees C.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the temperature in the enclosure below about 20 degrees C.