Power conditioner device

Abstract

To provide a power conditioner device that when power generation means is excessively loaded, is capable of effectively utilizing surplus power of generated power.SOLUTION: A power conditioner device 10A comprises: a first DC / DC conversion unit 11 connected to power generation means 20; a second DC / DC conversion unit 12 that supplies storage battery 30 with at least part of generated power output from the power generation means 20 as charge power through the first DC / DC conversion unit 11; an AC / DC conversion unit 13 that converts generated power to AC power and supplies it to a domestic load 40; and a control unit 14A. The control unit 14A executes surplus charge control, makes the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 output generated power exceeding rated output power of the AC / DC conversion unit 13, and makes the second DC / DC conversion unit 12 perform surplus power charging of the storage battery 30 with power containing surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from generated power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power conditioner device.

Background Art

[0002] A conventional power conditioner device includes a first DC / DC converter connected to a power generation means such as a solar panel, a second DC / DC converter connected to a stationary battery, an AC / DC converter that converts DC power input from the first DC / DC converter and the second DC / DC converter into AC power and supplies it to a household load, and a control unit that controls these components (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] A conventional power conditioner device includes a green mode as an operation mode for charging a battery using the generated power of a power generation means. In the case of the green mode, the power conditioner device allocates the generated power to the power consumption of the household load and allocates the remaining power to the charging power of the battery. The generated power stored in the battery is effectively utilized by being used during the time periods of high power consumption from evening to night and early morning.

[0004] However, when the maximum generated power by a power generation means such as a solar panel exceeds the rated output power of the AC / DC converter (hereinafter referred to as "overloading"), the first DC / DC converter restricts the conversion of the generated power from the solar panel so that the generated power becomes equal to or less than the rating (rated output power) of the AC power output from the AC / DC converter. For this reason, the solar panel cannot fully exhibit its original power generation ability.

[0005] As a result, in a conventional power conditioner device, when the power generation means is overloaded, there is a problem that the power (surplus power) exceeding the rated output power among the generated power cannot be effectively utilized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a power conditioner device capable of effectively utilizing surplus power of generated power when a power generation means is overloaded.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a power conditioner device according to the present invention includes: a first DC / DC converter connected to a power generation means; a second DC / DC converter that supplies at least a part of the generated power output from the power generation means to a storage battery via the first DC / DC converter as charging power; an AC / DC converter that converts the generated power into AC power and supplies it to a load; a control unit that controls the first DC / DC converter, the second DC / DC converter, and the AC / DC converter; and is a power conditioner device including: the first DC / DC converter outputs the generated power exceeding the rated output power of the AC / DC converter, and the second DC / DC converter performs surplus charging of the storage battery with power including surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power. It is characterized by executing surplus power control.

[0009] In this configuration, the first DC / DC converter outputs generated power exceeding the rated output power of the AC / DC converter, and the second DC / DC converter performs surplus charging of the storage battery with power including surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power. Therefore, according to this configuration, surplus power can be effectively utilized when the power generation means is overloaded.

[0010] In the power conditioner device, The control unit executes a calculation process for calculating a maximum surplus power corresponding to the surplus power at a first time when the generated power is maximized and a surplus charging time for causing the second DC / DC converter to perform the surplus charging, and is configured to set the start time based on the surplus charging time such that the start time of the surplus charging is before the first time and the end time of the surplus charging is after the first time.

[0011] In the power conditioner device, the control unit is configured such that charging of the storage battery by the generated power is not performed from when the start time is set until the start time, and the upper limit value of the charging power is limited based on the power value of the maximum surplus power until at least the surplus charging time has elapsed from the start time.

[0012] In the power conditioner device, the control unit during the calculation process, calculates the chargeable capacity of the storage battery, calculates the maximum surplus power based on the rated generated power of the power generation means, the rated output power, and the power conversion efficiency of the first DC / DC converter, and is configured to calculate the surplus charging time based on the chargeable capacity and the maximum surplus power.

[0013] In the power conditioner device, the control unit starts the surplus charging in the second DC / DC converter at a timing when the generated power exceeds the rated output power, and limits the upper limit value of the charging power so that the charging power does not exceed the surplus power, and is configured to release the limitation of the upper limit value so as to permit the charging power to exceed the surplus power at a second time included in a time period when the surplus power decreases.

[0014] In the power conditioner device, the control unit calculates the chargeable capacity of the storage battery at a first time when the generated power is maximized, and is configured to release the limitation of the upper limit value at a second time when a power value obtained by dividing the chargeable capacity by a predetermined time matches the power value of the surplus power.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power conditioner device capable of effectively utilizing surplus power of generated power when a power generation means is overloaded.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of a power conditioner device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a power conditioner device 10A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The power conditioner device 10A constitutes a hybrid power storage system that supplies power to a household load 40 by using a solar panel 20 (corresponding to the "power generation means" of the present invention) and an installed battery 30 (for example, a lithium-ion battery) in combination.

[0019] The power conditioner device 10A includes a first DC / DC conversion unit 11, a second DC / DC conversion unit 12, an AC / DC conversion unit 13, and a control unit 14A.

[0020] The first DC / DC conversion unit 11 is composed of a boost DC / DC converter that performs a boosting operation. The first DC / DC conversion unit 11 has an input terminal T1 and an output terminal T2. The input terminal T1 is connected to the solar panel 20, and the output terminal T2 is connected to the second DC / DC conversion unit 12 and the AC / DC conversion unit 13. The first DC / DC conversion unit 11 boosts the power generated by the solar panel 20 and outputs it from the output terminal T2 under the control of the control unit 14A.

[0021] The second DC / DC conversion unit 12 is composed of a bidirectional DC / DC converter. The second DC / DC conversion unit 12 has a first input / output terminal T3 and a second input / output terminal T4. The first input / output terminal T3 is connected to the output terminal T2 of the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 and the AC / DC conversion unit 13, and the second input / output terminal T4 is connected to the battery 30. The second DC / DC conversion unit 12 charges and discharges the battery 30 under the control of the control unit 14A.

[0022] The AC / DC conversion unit 13 is composed of a bidirectional inverter. The AC / DC conversion unit 13 has a DC terminal T5 and an AC terminal T6. The DC terminal T5 is connected to the output terminal T2 of the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 and the first input / output terminal T3 of the second DC / DC conversion unit 12, and the AC terminal T6 is connected to the household load 40 and the power grid (not shown). Under the control of the control unit 14A, the AC / DC conversion unit 13 performs a DC / AC conversion operation of converting the DC power input to the DC terminal T5 into AC power and outputting it from the AC terminal T6, and an AC / DC conversion operation of converting the AC power input to the AC terminal T6 into DC power and outputting it from the DC terminal T5.

[0023] The control unit 14A is composed of an analog control circuit, a digital control circuit using a microcontroller or the like, or a circuit combining an analog control circuit and a digital control circuit. The control unit 14A controls the first DC / DC conversion unit 11, the second DC / DC conversion unit 12, and the AC / DC conversion unit 13 according to the set operation mode.

[0024] The control unit 14A is communicably connected to a remote controller (for example, an operation panel having a display screen) not shown. The user of the power conditioner device 10A can set the operation mode using, for example, the remote controller. The operation modes include a manual operation mode and an automatic operation mode, and the automatic operation mode includes an economy mode and a green mode.

[0025] The economy mode is a mode that emphasizes economy by using the generated power of the solar panel 20 to meet the power consumption of the household load 40 and selling all the remaining power.

[0026] The green mode is a mode that emphasizes the environment by using the generated power of the solar panel 20 to meet the power consumption of the household load 40 and using the remaining power for charging the battery 30. In the green mode, the power stored in the battery 30 can be used during the time periods with high power consumption from evening to night and early morning. Also, when the battery 30 is fully charged, power can be sold, and when the generated power is less than the power consumption, the battery 30 can be discharged.

[0027] When the solar panel 20 is overloaded, the control unit 14A turns on the setting of the surplus charge control described later. When the rated power generation power of the solar panel 20 exceeds the rated output power of the power conditioner device 10A (the rating of the AC power output from the AC / DC conversion unit 13), strictly speaking, when the maximum value of the power generation power (maximum power generation power) output from the solar panel 20 via the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 exceeds the rated output power, the control unit 14A determines that the solar panel 20 is overloaded.

[0028] For example, when the rated power generation power of the solar panel 20 is 11.0 [kW], the maximum power generation power output via the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 is 8.8 [kW], and the rated output power of the AC / DC conversion unit 13 is 5.9 [kW], the maximum power generation power > the rated output power. In this case, when the solar panel 20 is connected to the first DC / DC conversion unit 11, the control unit 14A determines that the solar panel 20 is overloaded and turns on the setting of the surplus charge control.

[0029] In a conventional power conditioner device, when the solar panel 20 is overloaded, the output power of the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 is limited so that the power generation power becomes equal to or less than the rated output power. Therefore, the power (surplus power) exceeding the rated output power among the power generation power cannot be effectively utilized. On the other hand, in the power conditioner device 10A according to the present embodiment, when the control unit 14A executes the surplus charge control, it becomes possible to charge the storage battery 30 (surplus charge) using the power including the surplus power.

[0030] When the operation mode is set to the green mode and the setting of the surplus charge control is on (when the solar panel 20 is overloaded), the control unit 14A executes the surplus charge control. With reference to FIG. 2, the surplus charge control will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that at 7:00 in the morning, the operation mode is set to the green mode and the setting of the surplus charge control is on.

[0031] At a preset setting time, the control unit 14A executes a calculation process for setting the start time of surplus charging. In this embodiment, the setting time is 9 o'clock. Note that the control unit 14A may execute the calculation process at the setting time regardless of the setting of the operation mode and / or the surplus charging control.

[0032] During the calculation process, the control unit 14A calculates the chargeable capacity of the storage battery 30 at the setting time (9 o'clock). The chargeable capacity can be calculated by the formula (Chargeable capacity = (SOC at 100% - SOC at 9 o'clock) × Battery capacity of the storage battery 30 × SOH). SOC (State Of Charge) is an index indicating the remaining capacity of the storage battery 30, and SOH (State Of Health) is an index indicating the soundness (deterioration state) of the storage battery 30. For example, when the SOC at 9 o'clock is 20%, the battery capacity of the storage battery 30 is 14.5 [kWh], and the SOH is 100%, the chargeable capacity is 11.6 [kWh] (= (100% - 20%) × 14.5 [kWh] × 100%).

[0033] Also, during the calculation process, the control unit 14A calculates the maximum surplus power corresponding to the surplus power at the first time when the generated power is maximized. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first time is set at 12 o'clock (noon). The maximum surplus power can be calculated by the formula (Maximum surplus power = Rated generated power × Power conversion efficiency of the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 (80% in this embodiment) - Rated output power of the AC / DC conversion unit 13). In this embodiment, for example, 2.9 [kW] (= 11.0 [kW] × 0.8 - 5.9 [kW]) is the maximum surplus power.

[0034] The control unit 14A that has calculated the chargeable capacity and the maximum surplus power calculates the surplus charging time for causing the second DC / DC conversion unit 12 to perform surplus charging. The surplus charging time can be calculated by the formula (Surplus charging time = Chargeable capacity ÷ Maximum surplus power). For example, when the chargeable capacity of the storage battery 30 at the setting time (9 o'clock) is 11.6 [kWh], the surplus charging time is 4.0 [h] (= 11.6 [kWh] ÷ 2.9 [kW]). Note that the control unit 14A rounds the first decimal place of the surplus charging time to make the surplus charging time in units of 1 hour.

[0035] The control unit 14A that calculates the surplus charging time sets the start time of the surplus charging. It is preferable that the surplus charging is performed across the first time (12:00) when the generated power is maximized. When the surplus charging time is 4.0 [h], the control unit 14A sets the start time of the surplus charging to 10:00. Since the start time of the surplus charging is set in 30-minute units, when the surplus charging time is less than 1 hour, the control unit 14A sets the start time of the surplus charging to the first time (12:00).

[0036] The end time of the surplus charging can be set to any time as long as it is after the start time of the surplus charging has elapsed by the surplus charging time (after 14:00) and before the set time (9:00) of the next morning. For example, the end time of the surplus charging may be set to the sunset time (e.g., 18:00), or may be set to the discharge end time of the green mode (e.g., 23:00). In this embodiment, the end time of the surplus charging is set to 23:00.

[0037] The control unit 14A that sets the start time of the surplus charging restricts the charging of the storage battery 30 so that the storage battery 30 is not charged by the generated power from after the setting until the start time (10:00). Thereby, it is possible to avoid the storage battery 30 becoming fully charged before the first time (12:00).

[0038] At the start time (10:00), the control unit 14A starts the surplus charging. The control unit 14A that has started the surplus charging causes the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 to output the generated power exceeding the rated output power of the AC / DC conversion unit 13, and causes the second DC / DC conversion unit 12 to perform the surplus charging of the storage battery 30 with the power including the surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power.

[0039] Further, the control unit 14A that has started surplus charging restricts the upper limit value of the charging power based on the power value of the maximum surplus power until at least the surplus charging time has elapsed since the start time. In the present embodiment, the control unit 14A restricts the upper limit value of the charging power to 2.9 [kW] from the start time (10:00) to the end time (23:00) of the surplus charging. That is, out of the power obtained by subtracting the power consumption of the in-home load 40 from the generated power, a maximum of 2.9 [kW] of power is allocated to the charging power of the storage battery 30, and the remaining power is sold to the grid.

[0040] When the storage battery 30 reaches the fully charged state, the control unit 14A ends the surplus charging. However, if the storage battery 30 becomes rechargeable again by the end time (23:00) of the surplus charging, the control unit 14A may resume the surplus charging.

[0041] As described above, in the power conditioner device 10A, the first DC / DC converter 11 causes the AC / DC converter 13 to output generated power exceeding the rated output power, and the second DC / DC converter 12 performs surplus charging of the storage battery 30 with power including the surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power. Therefore, according to the power conditioner device 10A according to the present embodiment, surplus power can be effectively utilized when the solar panel 20 is overloaded.

[0042] Further, the control unit 14A of the power conditioner device 10A can set the start time of the surplus charging based on data for the past few days of the solar panel 20. For example, in the data for the past 7 days, information such as the earliest time when the generated power exceeded the rated output power was 10:10, the average value of the first time when the generated power was maximum was 12:20, the average value of the maximum surplus power was 2.0 [kW], and the chargeable capacity of the storage battery 30 calculated for the current day was 8.0 [kWh]. In this case, the surplus charging time is 4.0 [h] (= 8.0 [kWh] ÷ 2.0 [kW]). The control unit 14A sets the start time of the surplus charging to 10:20 so that the surplus charging is performed every 2.0 [h] (= 4.0 [h] ÷ 2) across the first time (12:20) when the generated power is maximum.

[0043] In order to maximize the effective utilization of surplus power, it is preferable that the start time of surplus charging be set to a time after 10:10, which is the earliest time when the generated power exceeds the rated output power. For example, if the calculated time is before 10:10, the start time of surplus charging may be set to 10:10.

[0044] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 shows a power conditioner device 10B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The power conditioner device 10B differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a control unit 14B, and is common to the first embodiment in other respects.

[0045] The control unit 14B has the same configuration as the control unit 14A of the first embodiment, except for the control flow of surplus charge control. With reference to FIG. 4, the surplus charge control of the control unit 14B will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that at 7:00 in the morning, the operation mode is set to the green mode and the setting of the surplus charge control is turned on.

[0046] The control unit 14B with the surplus charge control setting turned on acquires information regarding the power value of the generated power at a predetermined cycle, and regulates the charging of the storage battery 30 so that the storage battery 30 is not charged by the generated power until the generated power exceeds 5.9 [kW] of the rated output power (in this embodiment, until 10:00).

[0047] When the generated power exceeds the rated output power at 10:00, the control unit 14B causes the second DC / DC converter 12 to start surplus charging. The control unit 14B that has started surplus charging causes the first DC / DC converter 11 to output the generated power exceeding the rated output power of the AC / DC converter 13, and causes the second DC / DC converter 12 to perform surplus charging of the storage battery 30 with the surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power.

[0048] Further, the control unit 14B that has started surplus charging acquires information regarding the power value of the generated power at a predetermined cycle, and limits the upper limit value of the charging power so that the charging power does not exceed the surplus power. That is, the control unit 14B outputs the rated output power from the AC / DC conversion unit 13, and performs power limitation of the charging power so that only the surplus power exceeding the rated output power is used as the charging power of the storage battery 30. For example, when the generated power is 7.4 [kW] and the rated output power of the AC / DC conversion unit 13 is 5.9 [kW], the charging power is 1.5 [kW].

[0049] At the first time when the generated power is maximum, the control unit 14B executes a second calculation process for setting a threshold value of the surplus power (which may be a threshold value of the generated power). The threshold value of the surplus power (or the threshold value of the generated power) is a threshold value serving as a reference when releasing the power limitation of the charging power. Also, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first time is set to 12:00 (noon).

[0050] During the second calculation process, the control unit 14B calculates the chargeable capacity of the storage battery 30 at the first time (12:00), and sets the power value obtained by dividing the chargeable capacity by a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 3.0 [h]) as the threshold value of the surplus power. For example, when the chargeable capacity at 12:00 is 3.0 [kWh], the threshold value of the surplus power is 1.0 [kW] (= 3.0 [kWh] ÷ 3.0 [h]).

[0051] When the time at which the power value of the surplus power becomes the above threshold value is defined as the second time, in the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the predetermined time so that the second time is included in the time period during which the surplus power decreases. The time period during which the surplus power decreases is the period from the first time (12:00) to the time when the generated power and the rated output power match (in this embodiment, 13:45).

[0052] When the power value of the surplus power reaches the above threshold value at the second time (13:00 in this embodiment), the control unit 14B releases the limitation on the upper limit value of the charging power and allows the charging power to exceed the surplus power. That is, the control unit 14B switches from the surplus charging with power limitation to the surplus charging without power limitation at the second time (13:00). The surplus charging without power limitation corresponds to the surplus charging with power limitation + the charging in the green mode.

[0053] When the storage battery 30 reaches the fully charged state (it reaches the fully charged state at 14:00 in this embodiment), the control unit 14B ends the surplus charging without power limitation. When the storage battery 30 becomes rechargeable again, the control unit 14B may resume the surplus charging without power limitation.

[0054] As described above, in the power conditioner device 10B, the first DC / DC converter 11 outputs the generated power exceeding the rated output power of the AC / DC converter 13, and the second DC / DC converter 12 performs the surplus charging of the storage battery 30 with the surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power. Therefore, according to the power conditioner device 10B according to this embodiment, the surplus power can be effectively utilized when the solar panel 20 is overloaded.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the power conditioner device 10B according to this embodiment, by switching from the surplus charging with power limitation to the surplus charging without power limitation in the time zone when the surplus power decreases and allocating the power exceeding the surplus power to the charging power of the storage battery 30, the storage battery 30 can be surely fully charged earlier.

[0056] Further, the control unit 14B of the power conditioner device 10B may calculate a surplus power threshold value (or a power generation power threshold value) based on the data of the solar panel 20 for the recent several days. For example, if the data for the recent 7 days includes information that the average value of the first time when the power generation power is maximum is 12:20, the control unit 14B sets the first time to 12:20. When the chargeable capacity of the storage battery 30 at 12:20 is 4.5 [kWh], the surplus power threshold value becomes 1.5 [kW] (= 4.5 [kWh] ÷ predetermined time 3.0 [h]). Further, the first time when the power generation amount is maximum may be predicted from the weather forecast and solar radiation amount prediction of the day.

[0057] The control unit 14B can switch from surplus charging with power limitation to surplus charging without power limitation at the second time when the power value of the surplus power becomes 1.5 [kW], or at the second time when the power value of the power generation power becomes 7.4 [kW] (= 5.9 [kW] + 1.5 [kW]).

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 14B may calculate the second time based on the data of the recent several days. In that case, the control unit 14B can switch from surplus charging with power limitation to surplus charging without power limitation at the calculated second time.

[0059] [Third Embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a power conditioner device 10C according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The power conditioner device 10C is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a third DC / DC conversion unit 15 and a control unit 14C, and is common with the first embodiment in other points.

[0060] The third DC / DC conversion unit 15 is composed of a bidirectional DC / DC converter and a control circuit that controls the bidirectional DC / DC converter. The third DC / DC conversion unit 15 has a connector 15a, a first input / output terminal T7, and a second input / output terminal T8. The first input / output terminal T7 is connected to the DC terminal T5 of the AC / DC conversion unit 13, similar to the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 and the second DC / DC conversion unit 12, and the second input / output terminal T8 is connected to the electric vehicle 50 via the connector 15a. The third DC / DC conversion unit 15 performs a charging operation and a discharging operation of a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle 50.

[0061] The control unit 14C has the same configuration as the control unit 14A of the first embodiment, except that the setting of the surplus charge control is turned off while the third DC / DC conversion unit 15 is performing a charging operation or a discharging operation. Even when the connector 15a is connected to the electric vehicle 50, if the third DC / DC conversion unit 15 is not performing a charging operation or a discharging operation, the setting of the surplus charge control remains on.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 6, the surplus charge control of the control unit 14C will be described. At 7 o'clock, it is assumed that the operation mode is set to the green mode and the setting of the surplus charge control is on.

[0063] The control unit 14C restricts the charging of the storage battery 30 so that the storage battery 30 is not charged by the generated power until 10 o'clock, which is the start time of the surplus charge, and starts the surplus charge from 10 o'clock.

[0064] At 15 o'clock, when the third DC / DC conversion unit 15 starts a charging operation or a discharging operation, the control unit 14C turns off the setting of the surplus charge control even during the execution of the surplus charge. When the setting of the surplus charge control is turned off, the surplus charge stops. Although not shown, when the charging operation or the discharging operation of the third DC / DC conversion unit 15 ends, the control unit 14C turns on the setting of the surplus charge control again.

[0065] According to the power conditioner device 10C according to the present embodiment, while the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, when the electric vehicle 50 is connected and the third DC / DC converter 15 performs a charging operation or a discharging operation, the charging and discharging of the electric vehicle 50 can be prioritized. Further, even if the setting of the surplus charge control is turned off by starting the charging operation of the third DC / DC converter 15, the surplus power can be charged to the electric vehicle 50, so that the surplus power is not wasted.

[0066] [Modification Example] As described above, embodiments of the power conditioner device according to the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0067] The power conditioner device according to the present invention includes a first DC / DC converter connected to a power generation means, a second DC / DC converter that supplies at least a part of the generated power output from the power generation means via the first DC / DC converter to a storage battery as charging power, an AC / DC converter that converts the generated power into AC power and supplies it to a load, and a control unit that controls the first DC / DC converter, the second DC / DC converter, and the AC / DC converter. The control unit executes surplus charge control. When performing surplus charge control, if the control unit causes the first DC / DC converter to output generated power exceeding the rated output power of the AC / DC converter and causes the second DC / DC converter to perform surplus charging of the storage battery with power including surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power, the configuration can be changed as appropriate.

[0068] The power including the above surplus power is power including at least a part of the surplus power. For example, in the surplus charge with power limitation in the second embodiment, the upper limit value of the charging power may be limited so as not to exceed a first power (for example, power 0.9 times the surplus power) in which the charging power is smaller than the surplus power, or the upper limit value of the charging power may be limited so as not to exceed a second power (for example, power 1.1 times the surplus power) in which the charging power is larger than the surplus power.

[0069] In each of the above embodiments, when the operation mode is set to the green mode and the surplus charge control is set to on, the surplus charge control is executed. However, regardless of the operation mode, the surplus charge control may be executed when the surplus charge control is set to on.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the control unit 14A sets and limits the upper limit value of the charging power to the power value of the maximum surplus power. However, for example, the upper limit value of the charging power may be set to a power value included in the range of the maximum surplus power ± 10%.

[0071] The maximum surplus power in the first embodiment is calculated by the calculation formula of (maximum surplus power = rated power generation × power conversion efficiency of the first DC / DC conversion unit 11 (for example, 80%) - rated output power of the AC / DC conversion unit 13). However, by further multiplying by a predetermined coefficient, the prediction accuracy can be improved. The predetermined coefficient can be set based on at least one item of, for example, the installation position, direction, outside air temperature, and solar angle (latitude, season) of the solar panel 20.

[0072] The maximum surplus power, start time, and end time of the surplus charge in the first embodiment may be calculated based on the predicted power generation by an artificial intelligence unit (AI) that has been machine-learned to predict the power generation. Alternatively, the power generation may be predicted and calculated from the past actual results of the power generation, or the power generation may be predicted and calculated from the daily weather forecast and solar radiation prediction.

[0073] The control unit 14C in the third embodiment may turn off the setting of the surplus charge control at the timing when the connector 15a becomes in the connector locked state, and turn on the setting of the surplus charge control again at the timing when the connector locked state is released.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 10A, 10B, 10C Power conditioner device 11 First DC / DC conversion unit 12 Second DC / DC conversion unit 13 AC / DC conversion unit Control units 14A, 14B, 14C 15 Third DC / DC converter 15a Connector 20 Solar panel 30 Storage battery 40 Household load 50 Electric vehicle

Claims

1. A first DC / DC converter connected to a power generation means; A second DC / DC converter that supplies at least part of the generated power output from the power generation means to a storage battery via the first DC / DC converter as charging power; An AC / DC converter that converts the generated power into AC power and supplies it to a load; A control unit that controls the first DC / DC converter, the second DC / DC converter, and the AC / DC converter; A power conditioner device comprising: Excess charge control is executed in which the first DC / DC converter outputs the generated power exceeding the rated output power of the AC / DC converter, and the second DC / DC converter performs excess charging of the storage battery with power including excess power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power. The control unit: Executes a calculation process for calculating a maximum excess power corresponding to the excess power at a first time when the generated power is maximized, and an excess charge time for causing the second DC / DC converter to perform the excess charging. A power conditioner device, wherein the start time is set based on the excess charge time such that the start time of the excess charging is before the first time and the end time of the excess charging is after the first time.

2. The control unit: Prevents charging of the storage battery with the generated power from the time when the start time is set until the start time, and limits the upper limit value of the charging power based on the power value of the maximum excess power until at least the excess charge time has elapsed from the start time. The power conditioner device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit: During the calculation process: Calculates the chargeable capacity of the storage battery; Calculates the maximum excess power based on the rated power generation power of the power generation means, the rated output power, and the power conversion efficiency of the first DC / DC converter; Calculates the excess charge time based on the chargeable capacity and the maximum excess power. The power conditioner device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises:

4. A first DC / DC converter connected to a power generation means; A second DC / DC converter that supplies at least part of the generated power output from the power generation means to a storage battery via the first DC / DC converter as charging power; An AC / DC converter that converts the generated power into AC power and supplies it to a load; A control unit that controls the first DC / DC converter, the second DC / DC converter, and the AC / DC converter; A power conditioner device comprising: The first DC / DC converter is caused to output the generated power exceeding the rated output power of the AC / DC converter, and the second DC / DC converter is caused to perform surplus charging of the storage battery with power including surplus power obtained by subtracting the rated output power from the generated power, and surplus charge control is executed; The control unit: Causes the second DC / DC converter to start the surplus charging at the timing when the generated power exceeds the rated output power, and limits the upper limit value of the charging power so that the charging power does not exceed the surplus power; At a second time included in a time zone in which the surplus power decreases, the limitation of the upper limit value is released so as to permit the charging power to exceed the surplus power A power conditioner device characterized by the above.

5. The control unit: Calculates the chargeable capacity of the storage battery at a first time when the generated power is maximum; At the second time when the power value obtained by dividing the chargeable capacity by a predetermined time matches the power value of the surplus power, the limitation of the upper limit value is released The power conditioner device according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

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