Irradiance based solar panel power point tracking
AssigneeWorcester Polytechnic Institute
InventorYousef Mahmoud
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power point tracking apparatus employs irradiance detection for performing Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) of a PV panel. The apparatus controls an operating voltage of a PV panel inverter by regulating the operating voltage of the inverter at a computed optimal voltage based on a detected irradiance of light on the solar panel providing power to the inverter to result in a maximum power generation from the solar panel. The inverter receives the DC (direct current) from the solar panel and generates an AC (alternating current) signal at a fixed voltage (typically 110-120 v) usable by grid based power consumers.
Claims15
A method of regulating an operating voltage of a solar panel inverter, comprising:
- receiving camera readings indicative of incident light on a solar panel;
- computing, based on the received readings, an operating voltage corresponding to a maximum power generation capability of the solar panel;
- receiving, at an inverter connected to the solar panel, output power from the solar panel;
- and
- directing the inverter to regulate an output power based on the received operating voltage.
A photovoltaic controller comprising:
- a solar panel for generating electrical power at an operating voltage based on available ambient light;
- a camera disposed for receiving camera readings indicative of incident light on a solar panel;
- power curve logic for computing, based on the received readings, an operating voltage corresponding to a maximum power generation capability of the solar panel;
- an inverter connected to the solar panel for receiving output power from the solar panel;
- and
- an interface between the power curve logic and the inverter operable for directing the inverter to regulate an output power based on the received operating voltage.
A computer program product on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method of regulating an operating voltage of a solar panel inverter, the method comprising:
- receiving camera readings indicative of incident light on a solar panel;
- computing, based on the received readings, an operating voltage corresponding to a maximum power generation capability of the solar panel;
- receiving, at an inverter connected to the solar panel, output power from the solar panel;
- and
- directing the inverter to regulate an output power based on the received operating voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.