Systems and methods for detecting and correcting a suboptimal operation of one or more inverters in a multi-inverter system
AssigneeTigo Energy, Inc.
InventorSam Arditi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is a system and method for detecting and correcting a suboptimal operation of one or more maximum power point tracking (MPPT) devices in a solar photovoltaic power generation (SPVPG) system. MPPT devices may become stuck in a local maximum in a power curve and fail to reach an optimal maximum power point. Described herein are methods and systems for detecting sub-optimal performance of an MPPT device and managing components within the SPVPG system to cause the MPPT device to track a different maximum power point.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- receiving first power output information from a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) device configured to track a maximum power point of a solar power production system;
- wherein the solar power production system contains a plurality of direct current (DC) to DC converting devices each connected with at least one of a plurality of solar panel units within the solar power production system;
- making a determination, from the first power output information, that the MPPT device has been operating the solar power production system at a first state for a predetermined period of time, the first state being sub-optimal for the solar power production system;
- and
- based on the determination, transmitting a first instruction to a first device, selected from the group consisting of the MPPT device and the plurality of DC to DC converting devices, to change a control operation of the first device.
A solar photovoltaic power generation system, comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic panels;
- a plurality of direct current (DC) to DC converting devices each configured to adjust an output of a corresponding panel of the plurality of photovoltaic panels;
- a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) device adapted to control the plurality of photovoltaic panels;
- a master management unit (MMU) adapted to:
- receive information about a power output of the plurality of photovoltaic panels,
- make a determination, based on the information, that the MPPT device has been operating the plurality of photovoltaic panels in a sub-optimal state for a period of time, and
- instruct a first device, selected from the group consisting of the MPPT device and the DC to DC converting devices to change a control operation of the first device, based on the determination about the MPPT device.
An apparatus adapted to control a solar power production system, the apparatus comprising:
- a memory to store a first executable program;
- a microprocessor to execute the first executable program;
- and
- a communications device coupled to the microprocessor to receive first power output information from a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) device configured to track a maximum power point of the solar power production system;
- wherein the solar power production system contains a plurality of direct current (DC) to DC converting devices each connected with at least one of a plurality of solar panel units within the solar power production system;
- wherein the microprocessor is adapted to make a determination in accordance with the first executable program, from the first power output information, that the MPPT device has been operating the solar power production system at a first state for a predetermined period of time, the first state being sub-optimal for the solar power production system;
- and
- wherein the communications device is adapted to transmit, in response to the determination, a first instruction to a first device, selected from the plurality of DC to DC converting devices, to change a control operation of the first device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.