Photovoltaic Converter Box with Shared PLC Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of power converters into a junction box for photovoltaic modules, particularly in tripartite split configurations, results in high costs due to the need for multiple power converters with independent power-line communication modules, which are costly.
Innovation Solution
A power converter box design that includes a primary power converter and secondary power converters, where the primary converter communicates with the inverter and secondary converters, reducing the need for external communication modules and cables by using pulse width modulation, infrared, serial communication, or voltage translation to share status and control information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple power converters are integrated into the junction box for module slicing and bifacial modules, then the power converter can be integrated into the junction box, but the preparation costs of PLC communication modules become high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power converters into a single integrated power converter box, where multiple power conversion functions are combined into one unified device. This eliminates the need for separate PLC communication modules for each power converter, reducing overall costs while maintaining integration benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated power converter box serves multiple functions: it performs power conversion for multiple photovoltaic substrings, provides centralized PLC communication capability, and enables module monitoring and control functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate communication modules for each power converter
2Adaptability or versatility
If each power converter is equipped with independent PLC communication module, then module monitoring and control functions can be implemented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PLC communication capabilities into a centralized unit within the integrated power converter box, eliminating the need for separate communication modules at each power converter location. This reduces device complexity while maintaining full monitoring and control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated power converter box acts as an intermediary between the photovoltaic substrings and the external control system. It centralizes communication functions, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling comprehensive module monitoring and control
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter box includes at least two power converters, and the at least two power converters include one primary power converter and at least one secondary power converter. The primary power converter obtains status information of a photovoltaic substring corresponding to a secondary power converter, and sends, to an inverter by using a power-line carrier (PLC) communication module in the primary power converter, the status information of the photovoltaic substring corresponding to the secondary power converter and status information of a photovoltaic substring corresponding to the primary power converter. The primary power converter further receives, by using the PLC communication module in the primary power converter, control information sent by the inverter, controls, based on the control information, an output power of the photovoltaic substring corresponding to the primary power converter.