Converter using active clamp and solar cell system having the same

A solar cell system comprising:

• a first photovoltaic (PV) module and a second PV module connected in series with each other;
• a first circuit configured to convert power from the first PV module and to reset an operation of the converter using a clamp circuit, wherein the first circuit comprises:
• a first winding surrounding a first region of a magnetic material,
• a first main switch connected between the first PV module and the clamp circuit, and
• a first inductor connected between the first winding and the clamp circuit;
• and
• a second circuit configured to convert the power from the second PV module, wherein:
• the clamp circuit comprises:
• a clamp switch connected to the first main switch, and
• a clamp capacitor between the clamp switch and the first inductor and connected in series with the clamp switch and the first inductor;
• the converter is a primary side circuit structure of a flyback converter and comprises:
• a second winding surrounding a second region of the magnetic material,
• a second main switch connected to the second PV module, and
• a second inductor connected to the second winding, and
• the first main switch and the second main switch are configured to be turned on or turned off at a same time, and
• the clamp switch is configured to operate complementary to the first main switch.

A method of operating a converter comprising a magnetic material;

• a first circuit comprising a first winding surrounding the magnetic material, a first main switch connected to a first input voltage source, a first inductor connected to the first winding, and a clamp circuit;
• a second circuit comprising a second winding surrounding the magnetic material, a second main switch connected to a second input voltage source, and a second inductor connected to the second winding, wherein the clamp circuit comprises a clamp switch connected to the first main switch and a clamp capacitor between the clamp switch and the first inductor and connected in series with the clamp switch and the first inductor, and the method comprises:
• converting, by the first circuit, first power received from the first input voltage source to provide the converted first power to a load;
• resetting, by the clamp circuit, a power conversion operation;
• converting, by the second circuit, second power received from the second input voltage source to provide the converted second power to the load;
• turning on or turning off the first main switch and the second main switch at a same time;
• and
• operating the clamp switch complementary to the first main switch.