# US 12,191,668 B2 · Maximizing power in a photovoltaic distributed power system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,191,668 B2 - Document ID: US12191668B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/203,871 - Filed: 2021-03-17 - Published: 2021-09-02 - Granted: 2025-01-07 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-30 - Assignees: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Applicants: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Inventors: Ilan Yoscovich; Ofir Bieber; Tzachi Glovinsky - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12191668B2 ## CPC - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 3/38: Arrangements for feeding a single network from two or more generators or sources in parallel; Arrangements for feeding already energised networks from additional generators or sources in parallel - H02J 3/46: Controlling the sharing of generated power between the generators, sources or networks - H02M 3/04: by static converters - H02M 7/44: by static converters - H02J 2101/25: {involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources} - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A power harvesting system including multiple parallel-connected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string includes a series-connection of photovoltaic panels. Multiple voltage-compensation circuits may be connected in series respectively with the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be configured to provide respective compensation voltages to the photovoltaic strings to maximize power harvested from the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be include respective inputs which may be connected to a source of power and respective outputs which may be connected in series with the photovoltaic strings. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a series string of photovoltaic modules comprising at least a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, wherein each of the first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module comprise a first terminal and a second terminal; wherein the second terminal of the first photovoltaic module is connected to the first terminal of the second photovoltaic module; and a compensation circuit, the compensation circuit comprising: a power converter; a first input terminal connected to the first terminal of the first photovoltaic module; a second input terminal connected to the second terminal of the first photovoltaic module and the first terminal of the second photovoltaic module; a first output terminal connected to the first input terminal of the compensation circuit; and a second output terminal connected to a direct current (DC) bus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the DC bus is connected to a first input terminal of an inverter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the inverter is connected to a power grid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the inverter is connected to an energy storage device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the second terminal of the second photovoltaic module is connected to a different DC bus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the different DC bus is connected to a second input terminal of the inverter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the different DC bus is a ground bus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the DC bus is a power bus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the DC bus is connected to a second compensation circuit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the second compensation circuit is connected to a second series string of photovoltaic modules. ### Claim 11 A method comprising: connecting a compensation circuit to a series string of photovoltaic modules, the series string comprising a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, by: connecting a first input terminal of the compensation circuit to a first terminal of the first photovoltaic module; connecting a second input terminal of the compensation circuit to a second terminal of the first photovoltaic module and a first terminal of the second photovoltaic module; connecting a first output terminal of the compensation circuit to the first input terminal of the compensation circuit; connecting a second output terminal of the compensation circuit to a direct current (DC) bus; and; connecting the second terminal of the first photovoltaic module of the series string to the first terminal of the second photovoltaic module of the series string, wherein the compensation circuit comprises a power converter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising connecting the DC bus to a first input terminal of an inverter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting the inverter to a power grid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting the inverter to an energy storage device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising connecting a second terminal of the second photovoltaic module to a different DC bus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising connecting the different DC bus to a second input terminal of the inverter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the different DC bus is a ground bus. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the DC bus is a power bus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising connecting the DC bus to a second compensation circuit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising connecting the second compensation circuit to a second series string of photovoltaic modules.