SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS INCLUDING CONTROL HUBS
Control hubs and solar power systems are disclosed. One example photovoltaic (PV) system includes a plurality of PV modules and a control hub coupled to the plurality of PV modules. The control hub includes a plurality of interface modules and a processing device coupled to the interface modules. Each of the interface modules includes a power converter coupled to a different one of the plurality of PV modules. The processing device is configured to control each of the power converters to control the PV module associated with the power converter.
1 . A photovoltaic (PV) system comprising:
a plurality of PV modules; and
a control hub including:
a plurality of interface modules, each of the plurality of interface modules including a power converter coupled to a different one of the plurality of PV modules; and
a processing device coupled to the interface modules, the processing device configured to control each of the power converters to control the PV module associated with said power converter.
2 . The PV system of claim 1 , wherein the processing device is configured to individually control each of the power converters to substantially achieve a maximum power point for the PV module associated with said power converter.
3 . The PV system of claim 1 , wherein the processing device is configured to sequentially control each power converter of the plurality of interface modules.
4 . The PV system of claim 1 , wherein each power converter includes at least one of a boost converter, a buck converter, and a boost-buck converter.
5 . The PV system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of PV modules consists of fifteen PV modules and the plurality of interface modules consists of fifteen interface modules.
6 . The PV system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of interface modules includes a connector coupled to the power converter.
7 . The PV system of claim 6 , wherein each PV module is coupled to a respective interface module via its associated connector.
8 . The PV system of claim 7 , further comprising an enclosure at least partially enclosing the plurality of interface modules and the processing device.
9 . The PV system of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of pigtails extending from the enclosure, each pigtail including one of the plurality of connectors.
10 . The PV system of claim 8 , wherein each connector extends from the enclosure.
11 . The PV system of claim 1 , wherein the control hub further comprises a main circuit board, and wherein the plurality of interface modules and the processing device are mounted to the main circuit board.
12 . The PV system of claim 11 , further comprising a module printed circuit board (PCB) including one interface module of the plurality of interface modules, the module PCB releasably coupled to a module connector on the main circuit board.
13 . The PV system of claim 12 , wherein the module connector is communicatively coupled to the processing device.
14 . The PV system of claim 1 , further comprising a direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) inverter.
15 . A control hub for a photovoltaic (PV) system including a plurality of PV modules, the control hub comprising:
a plurality of interface modules, each of the plurality of interface modules including a power converter and a connector coupled to the power converter and configured for coupling to a PV module; and
a processing device coupled to the interface modules, the processing device configured to control each of the interface modules to control a PV module associated with said power converter.
16 . The control hub of claim 15 , wherein the processing device is configured to individually control each of the power converters to substantially achieve a maximum power point for a PV module associated with said power converter.
17 . The control hub of claim 15 , wherein the processing device is configured to sequentially control each power converter of the plurality of interface modules.
18 . The control hub of claim 15 , wherein each power converter includes at least one of a boost converter, a buck converter, and a boost-buck converter.
19 . The control hub of claim 15 , further comprising a communication interface configured to facilitate communication between the processing device and a remote computing device.
20 . The control hub of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of interface modules consists of fifteen interface modules.
21 . The control hub of claim 15 , further comprising a direct current (DC) voltage bus, wherein an output of each power converter is coupled to the DC voltage bus.
22 . The control hub of claim 21 , wherein each power converter is configured to receive an input voltage from a PV module via the connector and output an intermediate voltage to the DC voltage bus.
23 . The control hub of claim 22 , wherein the intermediate voltage is less than the input voltage.
24 . The control hub of claim 22 , wherein the power converters are coupled to the DC voltage bus in series.
25 . The control hub of claim 21 , further comprising an output connector coupled to the DC voltage bus to output DC power from the control hub.
26 . The control hub of claim 21 further comprising a DC to alternating current (AC) inverter coupled to the DC voltage bus.
27 . The control hub of claim 15 , further comprising a main circuit board, wherein the plurality of interface modules and the processing device are mounted to the main circuit board.
28 . The control hub of claim 27 , wherein the main circuit board includes at least one module connector communicatively coupled to the processing device and configured to receive a module printed circuit board (PCB).
29 . The control hub of claim 28 , further comprising at least one module PCB releasably connected to the module connector, the at least one module PCB including one of the plurality of interface modules.
30 . The control hub of claim 15 , wherein each interface module comprises a DC to alternating current (AC) inverter.
31 . The control hub of claim 15 , in combination with a photovoltaic (PV) system including a plurality of PV modules.