Modular Power Supply for Solar Tracker Inrush Current Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photovoltaic systems face challenges in managing high inrush currents and ensuring stable input voltage in multistage designs, leading to inefficient current distribution and increased costs due to oversized electronics.
Innovation Solution
A modular power supply system comprising a main electronic board and auxiliary boards that set a current reference, allowing even current distribution and using a step-up converter to stabilize input voltage, with the option of 'interleaving' for reduced ripple and extended capacitor life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single stage power supply is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle high inrush currents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is divided into multiple stages (first stage, second stage, third stage) connected in series, where each stage handles a portion of the total power requirements. This segmentation allows the system to manage high inrush currents effectively while maintaining reasonable complexity in each individual stage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular design with multiple auxiliary boards is used, then the adaptability to different string currents is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamic configuration where auxiliary electronic boards can be selectively connected or disconnected based on the required current input range. The main electronic board dynamically adjusts its operation to accommodate different numbers of auxiliary boards, allowing the system to adapt to varying string currents without being permanently oversized.
3Device complexity
If direct duty cycle adjustment is used for output voltage control, then the control simplicity is improved, but the input voltage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control loops in each stage that monitor input voltage and adjust operating parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures stable input voltage across all stages, enabling proper current distribution while maintaining reasonable control complexity through automated regulation.
4Reliability
If oversized electronics are used to handle maximum current, then the reliability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic configuration where the number of active auxiliary electronic boards is adjusted based on the actual string current requirements. This allows the system to maintain reliability by having sufficient total capacity while avoiding the cost of permanently installing oversized electronics that would only be utilized at maximum current levels.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The object of the invention provides a power supply and battery arrangement for feeding a solar tracker. In first aspect of the invention an encompassing a main electronic board, capable of operating autonomously as a charger up to a maximum input current, and auxiliary electronic boards, hereinafter modules, which are connected to the main electronic board to expand the range of current input is provided. Several of these modules, auxiliary electronic boards, may be arranged at the same time to increase the input current. In a second aspect of the invention a method for feeding a solar tracker using control loops is provided.