Photovoltaic Panel Without Bypass Diodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar power systems suffer from significant current reduction and potential damage due to shading, as they rely on bypass diodes to prevent reverse breakdown, which consume space, increase costs, and result in power loss.
Innovation Solution
The solar panel design eliminates bypass diodes by arranging photovoltaic sub-modules in parallel, with microsystem-enabled cells configured in series/parallel arrangements to distribute current evenly, preventing damage from shading and optimizing power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bypass diodes are used to prevent reverse breakdown in shaded cells, then cell protection is improved, but space consumption increases, cost increases, and power production is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bypass diode component from the photovoltaic system entirely. By redesigning the system to operate without bypass diodes, the invention eliminates the space, cost, and power production losses associated with these protective devices while maintaining cell protection through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the photovoltaic cells to protect themselves from reverse breakdown through intrinsic system design. The series-parallel configuration and voltage matching mechanisms allow the system to naturally prevent damage to shaded cells without requiring external protective components like bypass diodes.
2Reliability
If bypass diodes are used to prevent reverse breakdown, then cell protection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes bypass diodes from the system, eliminating the cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining these protective components. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces overall system cost while maintaining protection through system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive protective components (bypass diodes) with a cost-effective system design approach. The series-parallel configuration provides inherent protection without requiring additional expensive parts, making the system more economical to manufacture.
3Reliability
If bypass diodes are used to prevent reverse breakdown, then cell protection is improved, but power production loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing bypass diodes from the system, the invention eliminates the power production loss that occurs when these components are present. The alternative design allows all cells to contribute to power generation even when partially shaded, without the energy diversion caused by bypass diodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by keeping all photovoltaic cells active and contributing to power production. The series-parallel configuration ensures that shaded cells do not force the entire system into reverse breakdown, allowing uninterrupted power generation from all cells regardless of shading conditions.
4Power
If solar cells are arranged in series to increase voltage output, then voltage is improved, but current reduction due to shading worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the photovoltaic system into multiple series-connected parallel configurations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high voltage through series connections while the parallel branches ensure that current is not reduced by shading in any single branch, as other branches can compensate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a parallel dimension to the traditional series arrangement. By organizing cells in series-parallel configurations, the system achieves high voltage from the series connections while the parallel paths provide current redundancy, effectively adding a dimensional solution to the voltage-current trade-off.
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 design effectively prevents damage from shading and reduces power loss by distributing current across cells, allowing the solar panel to operate without bypass diodes, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
Since the current of a photovoltaic cell is proportional to the light that is incident on the cell
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic power generation system that includes a solar panel that is free of bypass diodes is described herein. The solar panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules, wherein at least two of photovoltaic sub-modules in the plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules are electrically connected in parallel. A photovoltaic sub-module includes a plurality of groups of electrically connected photovoltaic cells, wherein at least two of the groups are electrically connected in series. A photovoltaic group includes a plurality of strings of photovoltaic cells, wherein a string of photovoltaic cells comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series. The strings of photovoltaic cells are electrically connected in parallel, and the photovoltaic cells are microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells.