Solar Cell Voltage Control Circuit Reducing Joule Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
In solar cell modules where cells are connected in series, variations in light exposure lead to reduced output due to one cell acting as a resistor, causing power loss, and existing power generation operation voltage control circuits face increased Joule loss as the number of stages in the boosting and deboosting chopper circuit increases.
Innovation Solution
An operation voltage control circuit device with 2k selective electrical conduction elements, capacitors, inverted voltage generation units, and a circuit controller that alternately switches the state of selective electrical conduction elements to cyclically invert the voltage generated by inverted voltage generation units, stabilizing operation voltages and reducing Joule loss by detouring current through auxiliary capacitors rather than all voltage stabilization capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a plurality of solar cells is connected in series to increase output voltage, then the operation voltage can match machine and instrument requirements, but output loss occurs when light exposure varies among cells causing one cell to act as a resistor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the series-connected solar cell array into multiple groups, with each group having its own voltage stabilization capacitor. This segmentation allows independent voltage control for each group, preventing the entire array from being limited by the weakest cell and reducing power loss when light exposure varies among cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voltage stabilization capacitors as intermediary elements connected in parallel to groups of series-connected solar cells. These capacitors act as mediators that stabilize the voltage of each group, preventing voltage drops when individual cells receive varying light exposure, thereby maintaining overall system power output.
2Ease of operation
If a power generation operation voltage control circuit with multiple stages of boosting and deboosting chopper circuits is used to control operation voltage of each solar cell, then individual voltage control is achieved, but Joule loss increases with the number of circuit stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage control function into a simplified circuit architecture where voltage stabilization capacitors work in conjunction with a single-stage control circuit. This combines multiple control functions into a unified system that achieves individual cell voltage control without requiring multiple stages of boosting and deboosting chopper circuits, thereby reducing Joule loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential voltage stabilization function from complex multi-stage chopper circuits and implements it through voltage stabilization capacitors connected in parallel to solar cell groups. This extraction removes unnecessary circuit stages while preserving the core functionality of individual voltage control, reducing energy loss in the process.
3Device complexity
If solar cells with varying light exposure are simply connected in series, then circuit complexity is minimized, but the cell with reduced light exposure becomes a resistor decreasing overall module output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the series-connected solar cell array into multiple groups, each with its own voltage stabilization capacitor. This segmentation adds minimal circuit complexity while preventing the weakest cell from limiting the entire array's output, thereby maintaining high productivity with only slight increases in device complexity.
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 allows for even adjustment of generated voltages across all cells without relying on light exposure, minimizing Joule loss and maintaining maximum power generation output even as the number of solar cells connected in series increases.
Implementation Method 1
inverted voltage generation units... configured to generate a voltage, which is cyclically inverted between both ends
Implementation Method 2
2k capacitors, which are connected in parallel to the respective selective electrical conduction elements and connected in series to one another
Implementation Method 3
2k selective electrical conduction elements... configured to be selectively brought into an electrical conduction state in which electrical conduction is provided between both terminals of each of the selective electrical conduction elements
Data Source
AI summary
An operation voltage control circuit device includes a column of selective electrical conduction elements connected in series, a column of capacitors connected in parallel to the selective electrical conduction elements, inverted voltage generation units alternately inserted between the selective electrical conduction elements and the capacitors, and electrode connection terminals connected in parallel to the capacitors between a pair of output terminals and connected to power supply cells connected in series to each other. The column of the selective electrical conduction elements are alternately grouped and are controlled to be alternately switched to an electrical conduction state or a cutoff state. The operation voltage control circuit device further includes auxiliary capacitors connected in parallel to the selective electrical conduction elements excluding both ends of the selective electrical conduction element column, and auxiliary inverted voltage generation units alternately inserted between the selective electrical conduction elements and the auxiliary capacitors.