Method for distributed power harvesting using DC power sources

In a distributed power system having a DC power source coupled to a load, a method for improving the reliability of components within the load, comprising:

• coupling the DC power source to the load, the DC power source comprising a plurality of converters;
• maintaining by the load the input voltage to the load at a fixed predetermined constant voltage, thereby holding the input voltage at a set value,
• the fixed predetermined voltage being a safe operating voltage for the components within the load;
• varying the current input to the load according to the power drawn from the DC power source;
• and,
• monitoring load on each converter individually and limiting power output from each converter to a preset safe level until predetermined criterion is reached.

A method for harvesting power from a plurality of solar panels, comprising:

• coupling each of the plurality of solar panels to one of a plurality of DC/DC converters;
• coupling the plurality of DC/DC converters in series to form a string;
• coupling the string to an input of a DC/AC inverter;
• operating the DC/AC inverter to maintain a constant voltage at the input;
• operating each converter individually to draw maximum power from its respective solar panel and to convert the power to be output at the string by individually varying the input voltage or current to each respective converter according to a predetermined criterion;
• and,
• monitoring load on each converter individually and limiting power output from each converter to a preset safe level until predetermined condition is reached.