Photovoltaic Operating Point Control Circuit for Series-Connected Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
In photovoltaic modules where cells are connected in series, uneven light exposure due to shadows or installation deviations leads to reduced power output, as cells with less light act as resistors, causing a common current flow that deviates operating points from maximum power points, resulting in significant power losses.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic operating point control circuit device with a multistage step-up/down chopper circuit configuration, including switching elements, capacitors, and inductors, that fixes cutoff duty ratios for all switching elements in one cycle, allowing each photovoltaic cell to operate at its maximum power point by adjusting the voltage between output terminals, thereby minimizing power losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common current flows through all photovoltaic cells connected in series, then the circuit configuration is simple, but the operating points of cells with uneven light exposure depart from maximum power points, causing significant power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the series-connected photovoltaic cells into multiple groups, with each group having an independent operating point control circuit. This segmentation allows each group to independently control the operating points of its cells, enabling cells with different light exposure conditions to operate at their respective maximum power points, thereby reducing power losses while maintaining manageable circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through operating point control circuits that can adjust the operating points of photovoltaic cells based on their individual light exposure conditions. The control circuits dynamically modify the electrical characteristics of each cell group to ensure optimal power extraction, transforming the static series connection into a dynamically adaptable system.
2Loss of energy
If individual operating point control is implemented for each photovoltaic cell, then power losses are minimized, but the device complexity and adjustment time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple photovoltaic cells into groups, with each group controlled by a single operating point control circuit. This merging approach reduces the total number of control circuits needed compared to individual cell control, while still enabling independent optimization of each group's operating points based on their light exposure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating point control circuits are designed with universal functionality to manage multiple cells within a group. Each control circuit can adaptively regulate the operating points of its associated cells based on varying light conditions, providing multi-functional control that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining optimization capabilities.
3Loss of energy
If traditional multistage step-up/down chopper circuits are used for operating point control, then power optimization is achieved, but the adjustment time and labor required are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the operating point control circuits to automatically detect and adjust to optimal operating points without requiring manual intervention. The control circuits are designed to proactively respond to changes in light conditions and automatically optimize power extraction, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating point control circuits operate autonomously, self-adjusting the operating points of photovoltaic cells based on real-time light exposure conditions. The system serves itself by automatically detecting suboptimal operating conditions and correcting them without external intervention, significantly reducing adjustment time and labor requirements.
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 configuration significantly reduces the time and labor required for adjusting photovoltaic operating points, stabilizes power generation, and minimizes power losses by ensuring each cell operates at its maximum power point, even under varying light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A voltage generated from one photovoltaic cell is generally lower than operating voltages of various mechanical mechanisms or chargers
Implementation Method 2
A photovoltaic operating point control circuit device with a multistage step-up/down chopper circuit configuration, including switching elements, capacitors, and inductors
Data Source
AI summary
In a photovoltaic device or an operating point control circuit in which a current is output from a corresponding power supply cell or capacitor to between output terminals by periodically cutting off switching elements which are connected in series to a plurality of power supply cells and/or capacitors connected in series between the output terminals via inductors, cutoff duty ratios of all the switching elements are uniformly fixed to the same value in one cycle in which all the switching elements are cut off once.