Smart photovoltaic cells and modules
AssigneeTesla, Inc.
InventorMehrdad M. Moslehi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar photovoltaic module laminate for electric power generation is provided. A plurality of solar cells are embedded within module laminate and arranged to form at least one string of electrically interconnected solar cells within said module laminate. A plurality of power optimizers are embedded within the module laminate and electrically interconnected to and powered with the plurality of solar cells. Each of the distributed power optimizers capable of operating in either pass-through mode without local maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) or switching mode with local maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) and having at least one associated bypass switch for distributed shade management.
Claims33
A solar photovoltaic module for electric power generation, said module comprising:
- a plurality of backplane-attached, back-contact solar cells embedded within a laminate said plurality of solar cells arranged to form at least one string of electrically interconnected solar cells within said laminate, each of said plurality of solar cells having a positive lead and a negative lead;
- a plurality of power optimizer packages, wherein each of said plurality of solar cells includes at least one corresponding power optimizer package electrically connected to each of said plurality of solar cells and embedded within said laminate, said at least one corresponding power optimizer package electrically connected to said positive lead and said negative lead and powered with said at least one of said plurality of solar cells, said at least one corresponding power optimizer package having a pass-through circuit with a transistor switch, and said at least one corresponding power optimizer package having a switching circuit with a local maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) optimizer electrically interconnected to said pass-through circuit, said at least one corresponding power optimizer package configured to operate in at least a non-switching pass-through mode using said pass-through circuit with said transistor switch closed and a switching mode with local maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT);
- and
- a plurality of bypass switches, which each of said plurality of solar cells includes at least one bypass switch mounted on a backside of an electrically insulating backplane and electrically interconnected to said corresponding at least one power optimizer package.
A solar photovoltaic system, comprising:
- a plurality of electrically interconnected modules for electric power generation, each of said modules comprising:
- a plurality of backplane-attached, back-contact solar cells embedded within a laminate, said plurality of solar cells arranged to form at least one string of electrically interconnected solar cells within said laminate, each of said plurality of solar cells having a positive lead and a negative lead;
- a plurality of power optimizer packages, wherein each of said plurality of solar cells includes at least one corresponding power optimizer package mounted on a backside of an electrically insulating backplane, electrically connected to each of said plurality of solar cells and embedded within said laminate, said at least one corresponding power optimizer package electrically connected to said positive lead and said negative lead and powered with said at least one of said plurality of solar cells, said at least one corresponding power optimizer package having a pass-through circuit with a transistor switch, and said at least one corresponding power optimizer package having a switching circuit with a local maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) optimizer connected to said pass-through circuit, said at least one corresponding power optimizer package configured to operate in at least a non-switching pass-through mode using said pass-through circuit with said transistor switch closed and a switching mode with local maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT);
- and
- a power conversion unit with maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) connected to and receiving power from said plurality of electrically interconnected module laminates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.