System and method for local string management unit
AssigneeTigo Energy, Inc.
InventorsShmuel Arditi, Ron Hadar, Maxym Makhota, Mordechay Avrutsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods include a solar array having one or more strings of series-connected local management units (LMUs). Each LMU is parallel-connected to one of a plurality of solar modules. The strings are connected in parallel via a parallel bus. Local string management units (LSMUs) can increase or decrease an output voltage of the solar array by upconverting or downconverting string output voltages from each string. LSMUs can also operate in a bypass mode to increase overall power output.
Claims15
A local string management unit (LSMU) comprising:
- an input configured to receive an input voltage from a string in a plurality of strings connected in parallel;
- a voltage conversion portion connected to the input and configured to:
- operate in a bypass mode when the input voltage is within a range from an output voltage of a strongest string in the plurality of strings;
- and
- convert the input voltage to a target voltage when the input voltage is not within the range from the output voltage of the strongest string in the plurality of strip;
- and
- an output connected to the voltage conversion portion and configured to provide the target voltage to a load;
- wherein each respective string in the plurality of strings comprises a plurality of power generators connected in series;
- and
- wherein the strongest string is strongest in producing power in the plurality of strings.
A system, comprising:
- a parallel bus;
- and
- a plurality of local string management unit, each respective local string management unit of the plurality of local string management units comprising:
- an input configured to receive an input voltage;
- an output connected to the parallel bus;
- a voltage converter;
- a switchable connection controllable to bypass the voltage converter;
- and
- a controller coupled with the voltage converter and the switchable connection to
- operate the respective local string management unit in a bypass mode via activating the switchable connection to bypass the voltage converter, when the input voltage is within a range;
- and
- operate the respective local string management unit in a voltage conversion mode via controlling the voltage converter to convert the input voltage to a target voltage, when the input voltage is not within the range.
A method in a local string management unit (LSMU), the method comprising:
- receiving, in the local string management unit, an input voltage from a string in a plurality of strings connected in parallel;
- operating a voltage conversion portion of the local string management unit in a bypass mode, when the input voltage is within a range from an output voltage of a strongest string in the plurality of strings;
- converting the input voltage to a target voltage using the voltage conversion portion, when the input voltage is not within the range from the output voltage of the strongest string in the plurality of strings;
- and
- providing the target voltage from the voltage conversion portion to a load;
- wherein each respective string in the plurality of strings comprises a plurality of power generators connected in series;
- and
- wherein the strongest string is strongest in producing power in the plurality of strings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.