# US 9,438,035 B2 · Power converter for a solar panel

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- Number: US 9,438,035 B2
- Document ID: US9438035B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/282,037
- Filed: 2011-10-26
- Published: 2012-03-08
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2003-05-28
- Assignees: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
- Applicants: F. William Capp; William J. Driscoll
- Inventors: F. William Capp; William J. Driscoll
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438035B2

## CPC

- H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells
- H02J 1/00: Circuit arrangements for DC mains or DC distribution networks
- H02J 3/388: Arrangements for the handling of islanding, e.g. for disconnection or for avoiding the disconnection of power
- H02M 3/04: by static converters
- H02M 7/44: by static converters
- H02J 3/38: Arrangements for feeding a single network from two or more generators or sources in parallel; Arrangements for feeding already energised networks from additional generators or sources in parallel
- H02M 1/0077: {Plural converter units whose outputs are connected in series}
- Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A solar array power generation system includes a solar array electrically connected to a control system. The solar array has a plurality of solar modules, each module having at least one DC/DC converter for converting the raw panel output to an optimized high voltage, low current output. In a further embodiment, each DC/DC converter requires a signal to enable power output of the solar modules.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a plurality of solar panels; and
a plurality of DC/DC power converters, each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters being connected to a respective solar panel of the plurality of solar panels; and
a central control system configured to generate a control signal, wherein each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters is configured to vary its mode of operation in response to receiving the control signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each of the DC/DC power converters is configured to perform maximum power point tracking (MPPT).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the central control system comprises a DC/AC inverter connected to the plurality of DC/DC power converters.

### Claim 4

An apparatus comprising:
a solar panel comprising a plurality of solar cells; and
a DC/DC power converter configured to maximize power generated by the plurality of solar cells, wherein the solar panel varies its mode of operation in response to a control signal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a DC/AC inverter connected to the DC/DC power converter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, further comprising a storage device connected between the DC/AC inverter and the plurality of DC/DC power converters.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the storage device is one selected from a group consisting of a flywheel energy storage system, a capacitor, an ultra capacitor, and a fuel cell.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the storage device is a flywheel energy storage system.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each respective solar panel comprises a plurality of solar cells divided into two groups with a respective diode disposed across each of the two groups.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a storage device connected between the DC/AC inverter and the DC/DC power converter.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the storage device is one selected from a group consisting of a flywheel energy storage system, a capacitor, an ultra capacitor, and a fuel cell.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the storage device is a flywheel energy storage system.

### Claim 13 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of solar cells are divided into two groups with a respective diode disposed between each of the two groups.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each DC/DC power converter of the plurality of DC/DC power converters outputs power in response to receiving the control signal and does not output the power in response to not receiving the control signal.

### Claim 15 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the solar panel outputs no power in a default off mode of operation.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the default off mode of operation of the solar panel is achieved in response to the solar panel not receiving the control signal.