PV Panel Power Tapping for Solar Tracker Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy systems face complexity in powering electronic controllers, often requiring wiring to a grid or frequent battery charging, which complicates the power supply for tracking PV systems.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy system where photovoltaic (PV) panels are electrically coupled to a recipient system, allowing an electronic element to tap electricity directly from the PV panels, reducing the amount of electricity delivered to the recipient system, and utilizing DC to DC converters to manage power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic controllers are powered by connection to a power grid or backup-power battery, then the electronic element can operate reliably, but the power supply system becomes complex requiring wiring to remote grid connections or frequent battery charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from external sources (grid or battery) and implements it locally by tapping electricity directly from the PV panels themselves. This eliminates the need for separate power supply infrastructure and reduces system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The PV system serves itself by using its own generated electricity to power the electronic controllers. The controllers are powered directly from the PV panels through DC-DC converters, eliminating dependence on external power sources and reducing maintenance requirements.
2Device complexity
If electricity is tapped from PV panels to power electronic elements, then the power supply for electronic components is simplified, but the amount of electricity delivered to the recipient system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs DC to DC converters to manage the electrical parameters when tapping power from PV panels. These converters adjust voltage and current levels to ensure that sufficient power is available for both the electronic elements and the recipient system, optimizing the distribution of available electricity.
Solution Approach 2:
DC to DC converters act as intermediary devices between the PV panels and the various loads (electronic elements and recipient system). They efficiently manage power distribution, converting and regulating electricity to meet the specific requirements of different components while maximizing overall system utilization.
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 solution simplifies the power supply for electronic components, such as controllers and motors, by tapping electricity directly from PV panels, reducing the amount of electricity sent to the grid or stored in batteries, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of solar energy system operations.
Implementation Method 1
Solar energy systems comprising photovoltaic (PV) arrays of PV cells are commonly deployed to capture energy from both direct and diffuse (including reflected) solar irradiance, for the purpose of generating electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A solar energy system comprising a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) panels for production of electricity, electrically coupled to a recipient system. Each of the PV panels includes a negative terminal and a positive terminal. An electronic element, including at least one component requiring power for operation or charging thereof, is electrically connected to the negative terminal and to the positive terminal of one of the plurality of PV panels. Electricity for powering the electronic element is tapped from electricity produced by the one of the plurality of PV panels, such that the quantity of produced electricity delivered to the recipient system is reduced.