Photovoltaic system and method of controlling same

A method of operating a photovoltaic (PV) system comprising:

• monitoring an output voltage of a PV array;
• determining whether the monitored output voltage of the PV array is above a maximum operating voltage of a PV inverter;
• if the monitored output voltage of the PV array is above the maximum operating voltage of the PV inverter, activating a damping circuit to reduce the output voltage of the PV array to a first predetermined threshold, the damping circuit comprising a damping resistor and a damping switch;
• determining whether the monitored output voltage of the PV array is below the first predetermined threshold;
• and
• if the monitored output voltage of the PV array is below the first predetermined threshold, deactivating the damping circuit.

A photovoltaic (PV) system comprising:

• a PV inverter;
• a DC link electrically coupled to the PV inverter and configured to operate at a DC link voltage;
• a PV array connected to the DC link;
• a damping circuit coupled between the PV array and the PV inverter, the damping circuit comprising a damping resistor and a damping switch;
• and
• a controller programmed to:
• monitor an output voltage of the PV array;
• and
• selectively operate the damping switch based on the monitored output voltage of the PV array.