Power converter for a solar panel
View Patent ↗A solar array power generation system includes a solar array electrically connected to a control system. The solar array has a plurality of solar modules, each module having at least one DC/DC converter for converting the raw panel output to an optimized high voltage, low current output. In a further embodiment, each DC/DC converter requires a signal to enable power output of the solar modules.
1. A system comprising:
a plurality of solar panels; and
a plurality of DC/DC power converters, each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters being connected to a respective solar panel of the plurality of solar panels; and
a central control system configured to generate a control signal, wherein each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters is configured to vary its mode of operation in response to receiving the control signal.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the DC/DC power converters is configured to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT).
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the central control system comprises a DC/AC inverter connected to the plurality of DC/DC power converters.
4. An apparatus comprising:
a solar panel comprising a plurality of solar cells; and
a DC/DC power converter configured to maximize power generated by the plurality of solar cells, wherein the solar panel varies its mode of operation in response to a control signal.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a DC/AC inverter connected to the DC/DC power converter.
6. The system of claim 3 , further comprising a storage device connected between the DC/AC inverter and the plurality of DC/DC power converters.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the storage device is one selected from a group consisting of a flywheel energy storage system, a capacitor, an ultra capacitor, and a fuel cell.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the storage device is a flywheel energy storage system.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein each respective solar panel comprises a plurality of solar cells divided into two groups with a respective diode disposed across each of the two groups.
10. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a storage device connected between the DC/AC inverter and the DC/DC power converter.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the storage device is one selected from a group consisting of a flywheel energy storage system, a capacitor, an ultra capacitor, and a fuel cell.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the storage device is a flywheel energy storage system.
13. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of solar cells are divided into two groups with a respective diode disposed between each of the two groups.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters outputs power in response to receiving the control signal and does not output the power in response to not receiving the control signal.
15. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the solar panel outputs no power in a default off mode of operation.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the default off mode of operation of the solar panel is achieved in response to the solar panel not receiving the control signal.