Diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power array

A method for providing a solar power array device without bypass diodes, the method comprising:

• providing a solar module;
• connecting a solar array tracker and a bi-position switch to the solar module;
• connecting a power bus and a controller to the bi-position switch;
• connecting an inverter to the power bus;
• and
• sensing with the controller the output voltage and current of the solar module,
• wherein when the controller senses the solar module is producing power below a power threshold level, the controller sends a signal to the solar array tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination, and
• when the controller senses that the maximum power of the solar module is less than a minimum bypass threshold level, the controller sends a command to the bi-position switch to bypass current around the solar module.

A method for providing a solar power array device without blocking diodes and bypass diodes, the method comprising:

• providing a solar module;
• connecting a solar array tracker, a circuit breaker, and a bi-position switch to the solar module;
• connecting a power bus and a controller to the circuit breaker and the bi-position switch;
• connecting an inverter to the power bus;
• sensing with the controller the output voltage and current of the solar module,
• wherein when the controller senses the solar module is producing power below a power threshold level, the controller sends a signal to the solar array tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination, and
• when the controller senses that the maximum power of the solar module is less than a minimum bypass threshold level, the controller sends a command to the bi-position switch to bypass current around the solar module;
• and
• determining, with the controller, an amount of shadowing on the solar module by using the output voltage and the output current of the solar module,
• wherein when the controller determines that the amount of shadowing on the solar module is less than a minimum shadowing threshold level, the controller sends a command to the circuit breaker to prevent current flow into the solar module.

A solar power array device without blocking diodes, comprising:

• a solar module;
• a solar array tracker;
• a circuit breaker;
• a power bus;
• a controller;
• and an inverter,
• wherein the controller senses output voltage and current of the solar module,
• when the controller senses the solar module is producing power below a power threshold level, the controller sends a signal to the solar array tracker to vary the solar module's pointing until the solar module is operating at its maximum power point for the solar module's level of illumination, and
• wherein the controller determines an amount of shadowing on the solar module by using the output voltage and the output current of the solar module,
• when the controller determines that the amount of shadowing on the solar module is less than a minimum shadowing threshold level, the controller sends a command to the circuit breaker to prevent current flow into the solar module.