Switchable Solar Cell Devices With Integrated MOS Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar cell panels are sensitive to individual cell failures and uneven sunlight exposure, leading to reduced output and single-point failures, which is exacerbated in residential settings with limited installation options and poorer maintenance compared to commercial settings.
Innovation Solution
Integration of MOS-based switches within solar cell terminals to control and bypass underperforming cells, allowing for independent addressing and monitoring of each solar cell area, enabling flexible connection paths and maintaining power output even with shaded or defective cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If solar cells are connected in series to provide large working voltages, then the power output increases, but the system becomes sensitive to individual cell failures causing single-point failures
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell array is divided into multiple independently controllable modules, each with its own switch component. This segmentation allows individual modules to be isolated or controlled separately, preventing a single cell failure from affecting the entire array while maintaining overall power output through the remaining functional modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically controllable switches (such as MOSFETs or diodes) that can change their state based on the performance and condition of individual solar cells. These switches enable real-time reconfiguration of the series connections, allowing the system to adapt to varying light conditions and cell failures, thus maintaining reliability while preserving power output.
2Productivity
If solar cells receive uneven sunlight exposure, then the current output is limited by the lowest producing cell, but the overall power potential is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The switchable connection system dynamically adjusts the series connections between solar cells based on their individual current output. When one cell receives less sunlight and produces lower current, the control circuit can activate bypass switches or reconfigure connections to allow other cells to contribute more effectively, thereby maintaining higher overall power output despite uneven illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical connection parameters (series/parallel configuration) based on the illumination conditions and performance of individual cells. By dynamically altering connection topology through controllable switches, the system optimizes power extraction under varying light conditions, preventing the lowest-producing cell from becoming a bottleneck.
3Reliability
If conventional by-pass diodes are used to solve cell failures, then failed cells can be bypassed, but multiple cells with lower output cannot be effectively managed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using simple by-pass diodes, the invention segments the solar cell array into independently controllable modules with individual switch components. This granular segmentation provides fine-grained control over each cell or small group of cells, enabling selective bypassing or reconfiguration of multiple underperforming cells while maintaining control flexibility and system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces static by-pass diodes with dynamically controllable switches that can be actively managed by a control circuit. This dynamic control enables the system to respond to varying performance conditions of multiple cells, providing adaptability and versatility in managing different failure modes and illumination scenarios while maintaining reliability.
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
The solution enhances the reliability and efficiency of solar cell systems by preventing single-point failures and maintaining power output despite shaded or defective cells, offering improved performance in residential settings through flexible connection arrangements and bypassing underperforming cells.
Implementation Method 1
The most common form of solar cells is based on the photovoltaic (PV) effect in which light falling on a two-layer semiconductor device produces a photovoltage or potential difference between the layers
Implementation Method 2
The solar cell element can include two solar cell terminals having a switch component integrated with at least one of them. Such switch component can be used to control the solar cell element and can include, for example, one or more MOS-based switches within the solar cell element
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments provide a solar cell device, and method for forming the solar cell device by integrating a switch component into a solar cell element. The solar cell element can include a solar cell, a solar cell array and/or a solar cell panel. The integrated solar cell element can be used for a solar sensor, while the solar sensor can also use discrete switches for each solar cell area of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments also provide a connection system for the solar cell elements and a method for super-connecting the solar cell elements to provide a desired connection path or a desired power output through switch settings. The disclosed connection systems and methods can allow for by-passing underperforming solar cell elements from a plurality of solar cell elements. In embodiments, the solar cell element can be extended to include a battery or a capacitor.