Operating direct current (DC) power sources in an array for enhanced efficiency

An apparatus for harvesting power from a solar panel array, said solar panel array comprising a first string of panels, wherein panels in said first string are coupled in series, said apparatus comprising:

• means for measuring a load current flowing through said first string;
• means for determining a peak current (Ipp) corresponding to a maximum power point (MPP) of a first panel comprised in said first string;
• and
• means for generating, in a first current source coupled across the output terminals of said first panel, a current equal to a difference of said load current and said peak current (Ipp).

A system for generating electric power, said system comprising:

• a first solar panel containing a plurality of photo-voltaic cells, said first solar panel to generate power across a first output terminal and a second output terminal in response to incidence of light;
• and
• a first control block coupled to said first solar panel, wherein said first control block is operable to:
• measure a load current flowing through said first solar panel;
• determine a peak current (Ipp) corresponding to a maximum power point (MPP) of said first solar panel;
• and
• generate, in a first current source coupled between said first output terminal and said second output terminal, a current equal to a difference of said load current and said peak current (Ipp).