Power conversion device having multi-level structure

A power conversion device comprising:

• a plurality of converters respectively connected to a plurality of cell strings;
• an auxiliary power supply unit configured to supply driving power to each of the plurality of converters;
• and
• a control unit configured to monitor at least one of an input signal, an output signal of the plurality of converters, and a current flowing in the inductor comprised in each of the converters,
• wherein the auxiliary power supply unit comprises:
• a first voltage conversion part configured to convert a first voltage of at least one output terminal from among output terminals of the plurality of cell strings into a second voltage, and output the second voltage;
• and
• a second voltage conversion part configured to convert the second voltage, outputted from the first voltage conversion part, into a third voltage and supply driving power to each of the plurality of converters,
• wherein the first voltage conversion part supplies driving power to the control unit,
• wherein the plurality of converters constitutes a multi-level structure,
• wherein each of the plurality of converters comprises at least one switch, and
• wherein the driving power is a power to drive the at least one switch of each of the plurality of converters.

A solar module comprising:

• a plurality of cell strings each comprising one or more solar cells;
• a plurality of converters respectively connected to the plurality of cell strings;
• and
• an auxiliary power supply unit configured to supply driving power to each of the plurality of converters using voltages outputted from the each of the plurality of cell strings,
• wherein the auxiliary power supply unit comprises:
• a first voltage conversion part configured to convert a first voltage of at least one output terminal from among output terminals of the plurality of cell strings into a second voltage, and output the second voltage;
• and
• a second voltage conversion part configured to convert the second voltage, outputted from the first voltage conversion part, into a third voltage and supply driving power to each of the plurality of converters,
• wherein the plurality of converters constitutes a multi-level structure,
• wherein each of the plurality of converters comprises at least one switch, and
• wherein the driving power is a power to drive the at least one switch of each of the plurality of converters.