Diodeless Solar Array Controller for Shadowing Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terrestrial photovoltaic solar power arrays rely on bypass and blocking diodes to manage current flow, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage to solar cells due to 'LED current' from unshadowed arrays to shadowed ones, especially in concentrated photovoltaic systems.
Innovation Solution
A diodeless system that uses a controller to monitor output voltage and current, adjusting the solar array's pointing to maximize power and preventing current flow into shadowed modules by using a circuit breaker or bi-position switch to bypass or block current when necessary, eliminating the need for physical diodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bypass diodes are used in conventional solar power arrays, then current flow is managed to prevent damage, but system efficiency is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes bypass diodes from the solar power array system entirely. Instead of using diodes to manage current flow, the system employs a controller that monitors voltage and current levels and uses a bi-position switch to bypass or block current flow dynamically, eliminating the need for physical diodes and their associated efficiency losses
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously senses the output voltage and current of the solar module. Based on this feedback, the controller determines when to activate the bi-position switch to bypass or block current, replacing the passive diode-based approach with an active, intelligent control system that optimizes efficiency while maintaining protection
2Reliability
If blocking diodes are used to prevent current flow into shadowed modules, then cell damage is prevented, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-position switch serves multiple functions: it acts as both a bypass switch and a blocking mechanism depending on the system state. This single component replaces what would traditionally require multiple diodes (bypass diodes and blocking diodes), reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own monitoring and control capabilities to protect itself from LED current damage. The controller detects shadowing conditions and automatically activates the bi-position switch to block current flow into shadowed modules, eliminating the need for external protective diodes
3Ease of operation
If physical diodes are used to manage current flow, then current direction is controlled, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble physical diodes into the solar power array. Current flow management is achieved through electronic control of a bi-position switch, which simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces costs, improves efficiency, and enhances reliability by preventing damage from 'LED current' while maintaining solar power array performance, allowing operation near maximum power points and integrating seamlessly with existing tracking and inverter systems.
Implementation Method 1
solar module is producing power below a power threshold level
Implementation Method 2
the controller sends a signal to the solar array tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point
Implementation Method 3
the controller sends a command to the circuit breaker to prevent current flow into the solar module, thereby preventing harm to cells of the solar module
Implementation Method 4
the controller sends a command to the bi-position switch to bypass current around the solar module, thereby maximizing solar power array efficiency
Implementation Method 5
the inverter is a direct current/alternating current (DC/AC) inverter
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device are disclosed for diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power arrays. In one or more embodiments, the method and device involve a solar power array device without blocking diodes and/or without bypass diodes. The method comprises providing a solar module, a solar array tracker, a power bus, a controller, and an inverter. In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises providing a circuit breaker and/or a bi-position switch. When the controller senses that the solar module power is below a threshold level, the controller commands the solar tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination. In some embodiments, when the controller senses that the solar module power is less than a minimum bypass threshold level, the controller commands a bi-position switch to bypass current around the solar module.