WO2014008313A2 - Photovoltaic power generation system free of bypass diodes - Google Patents
Photovoltaic power generation system free of bypass diodes Download PDFInfo
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- WO2014008313A2 WO2014008313A2 PCT/US2013/049165 US2013049165W WO2014008313A2 WO 2014008313 A2 WO2014008313 A2 WO 2014008313A2 US 2013049165 W US2013049165 W US 2013049165W WO 2014008313 A2 WO2014008313 A2 WO 2014008313A2
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- photovoltaic
- cells
- string
- microsystem
- module
- Prior art date
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- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 title abstract description 8
- 229910001218 Gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 18
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910000530 Gallium indium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N AsGa Chemical compound [As]#[Ga] JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 15
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 13
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 5
- 229910052732 germanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- GNPVGFCGXDBREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N germanium atom Chemical compound [Ge] GNPVGFCGXDBREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052738 indium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- APFVFJFRJDLVQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium atom Chemical compound [In] APFVFJFRJDLVQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004377 microelectronic Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003595 spectral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910005540 GaP Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Gallium Chemical compound [Ga] GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000321453 Paranthias colonus Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052733 gallium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BHEPBYXIRTUNPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydridophosphorus(.) (triplet) Chemical compound [PH] BHEPBYXIRTUNPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036961 partial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
- H02S40/30—Electrical components
- H02S40/36—Electrical components characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
- H01L31/05—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells
- H01L31/0504—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E10/56—Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
Definitions
- Conventional solar power systems particularly those utilized to provide electric power to a residence, include solar panels that comprise a plurality of relatively large silicon photovoltaic cells (e.g., approximately six inches by six inches). For instance, a single solar panel can include approximately seventy two cells.
- the solar cells are manufactured to output a certain voltage (e.g., 0.6 volts for silicon cells) that is approximately constant regardless of an amount of solar radiation of particular wavelengths received at the solar cells, and are electrically connected in series within a solar panel, such that the solar panel produces approximately 40 volts.
- a typical residential solar system includes several solar panels (e.g., 5-10), and the panels are electrically connected in series, thereby resulting in several hundred cells being electrically connected in series that, collectively, output a voltage that is approximately equal to the sum of the voltages of the individual cells. It is to be noted, however, that when solar cells and panels are arranged electrically in series, the current must be equal across each of the cells in each of the solar panels.
- the relatively large current (five amperes) and the relatively large power (upwards of one hundred watts) can cause the device to malfunction in either a shorted or open state, causing improper operation and permanent damage to the cell, panel, and/or installation.
- bypass diodes are selectively positioned across the cells, thereby diverting current from cells with no photocurrent and preventing such cells from entering the breakdown region. Utilization of bypass diodes, however, consumes space in a solar power installation, is relatively expensive, and increases assembly time of solar panels. Furthermore, using bypass diodes can result in excessive power production loss, since each bypass diode normally protects one third of the cells in a panel (e.g., there are usually three bypass diodes in a panel).
- a photovoltaic power generation system can include at least one solar panel (also referred to as a module) that is composed of a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules.
- Each photovoltaic sub-module can have an operating voltage of between 50 volts and 2000 volts, and multiple panels, therefore, can be arranged electrically in parallel.
- a nominal operating voltage of the solar panel is generally in a range between 200 volts and 500 volts, which is substantially optimal for conventional commercial inverters, because of the present-day regulatory limit of 600 volts in the United States, although the appended claims are not to be so limited by such regulatory limit.
- a photovoltaic sub-module can be less than 30 cm in width and less than 30 cm in length, although sub-modules of other sizes are contemplated.
- the arrangement of the photovoltaic sub-modules in parallel in the solar panel facilitates prevention of relatively large amounts of power being dissipated across one of such sub-modules when a particular sub-module or set of sub-modules is subjected to shading.
- each photovoltaic sub-module can comprise a plurality of groups of connected cells, wherein each group is configured to output between two volts and three volts, and wherein at least a subset of the groups are electrically connected in series.
- Each group of connected cells in a photovoltaic module can comprise a plurality of strings of photovoltaic cells, wherein the strings of photovoltaic cells are electrically connected in parallel.
- Each string of photovoltaic cells can include a plurality of photovoltaic cells that are electrically connected in series.
- This series/parallel/series/parallel arrangement of photovoltaic cells in the solar panel facilitates prevention of relatively large amounts of current from being driven through any single photovoltaic cell when that cell happens to be shaded (while other cells in the solar panel are illuminated).
- the photovoltaic cells utilized to construct the solar panel can be microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells that are configured to have an operating voltage of between 0.3 volts and 2.0 volts. Due to the relatively large number of cells that can be included in a given solar panel (e.g., over 30,000 cells), an amount of power that can be dissipated across a single cell, for nearly any potential shading pattern on the solar panel, will not cause damage to any given cell even if the cell is operating in reverse breakdown. Accordingly, the solar panel described herein need not include bypass diodes, which are conventionally employed to ensure that cells in a solar panel are not damaged when one or more of such cells are operating in reverse breakdown.
- the photovoltaic cells in the solar panel can be microsystem enabled cells.
- such cells can be III-V cells, such as gallium arsenide cells, indium gallium phosphide cells, or indium gallium arsenide cells.
- the photovoltaic cells can comprise silicon cells.
- the photovoltaic cells can comprise germanium photovoltaic cells.
- the solar panel can comprise multi-junction photovoltaic cells, wherein each multi-junction photovoltaic cell can comprise a plurality of photovoltaic cells of different band gaps.
- each photovoltaic cell in a multi- junction photovoltaic cell can be integrally connected electrically in series, such that the operating voltage of the multi-junction photovoltaic cell is equivalent to the sum of the operating voltages of the respective microsystem enabled photovoltaic cells therein.
- individual types of photovoltaic cells can be selectively arranged in series and parallel, wherein a number of photovoltaic cells electrically arranged in series can depend on a desired output or intermediate voltage.
- Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary solar panel that comprises a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules.
- Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary photovoltaic sub-module that comprises a plurality of photovoltaic groups of electrically connected photovoltaic cells.
- Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary photovoltaic group of cells that comprises a plurality of strings of photovoltaic cells.
- Fig. 4 illustrates another exemplary solar panel that is composed of a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules, which are themselves composed of respective pluralities of groups of electrically connected photovoltaic cells.
- Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary multi-junction microsystem enabled photovoltaic cell.
- Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary methodology for constructing a solar panel that does not include bypass diodes.
- Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary methodology for constructing a solar panel that fails to include a bypass diode.
- the solar panel 100 can be between one meter and two meters in length, and between one half meter and 1 1/2 meters in width. Furthermore, the solar panel 100 can be configured to output between 200 volts and 300 volts, although in other embodiments the solar panel 100 can be configured to output up to 2000 volts. Pursuant to a particular example, the solar panel 100 can be configured to output 240 volts. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, however, an amount of voltage that can be output by the solar panel 100 can depend upon an application in which the solar panel 100 is employed and may be higher or lower than the 200 - 300 volt range.
- the solar panel 100 comprises a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules
- the solar panel 100 is shown as including 24 photovoltaic sub- modules, it is to be understood that the solar panel 100 may include more or fewer photovoltaic sub-modules, depending upon the application in which the solar panel 100 is employed, amount of space available upon which to install the solar panel 100, as well as the arrangement of the photovoltaic sub-modules 102-148 in the solar panel 100.
- the photovoltaic sub-modules 102-148 can be electrically connected in parallel with one another. Therefore, each of the photovoltaic sub-modules can output approximately the same voltage (e.g., between 200 and 600 volts).
- each of the photovoltaic sub-modules 102-148 can be electrically connected in parallel, at least a subset of the photovoltaic sub-modules 102-148 can be connected to a power management integrated circuit, wherein such integrated circuit can be configured to output desired voltage and/or current levels resulting from the power that is produced from the subset of the photovoltaic sub-modules 102-148 electrically connected thereto.
- the solar panel 100 can include a single integrated circuit that is connected to each of the photovoltaic sub-modules 102-148 directly.
- the power management integrated circuit can then cause a final amount of power to be output by the solar panel 100 to be at a predefined, desired level (voltage and current).
- subsets of photovoltaic sub-modules can be coupled in parallel, and such subsets can be connected to the power management integrated circuit.
- a first subset of photovoltaic sub-modules can include the photovoltaic sub-modules 102, 104, 106 and 108, which can be electrically connected in parallel.
- a second subset of photovoltaic sub-modules can include the photovoltaic sub-modules 110, 112, 114 and 116, which can be electrically connected in parallel.
- the first subset of photovoltaic sub-modules and second subset of photovoltaic sub-modules may then be connected to the integrated circuit, which performs power management to cause a desired amount of power to be output by the solar panel 100.
- Other arrangements are also contemplated and are intended to fall under the scope of the hereto-appended claims.
- the solar panel 100 in parallel effectively reduces the potential of any of the photovoltaic sub-modules (or cells therein) from being damaged when one or more photovoltaic cells in the photovoltaic sub-modules are operating in reverse breakdown.
- the photovoltaic sub-modules 102-148 are electrically arranged in parallel, current matching between modules need not occur when at least one of the photovoltaic sub-modules 102-148 is shaded. This effectively reduces an amount of power that can be dissipated across any one of the photovoltaic sub-modules, thereby reducing risk of damage to a photovoltaic sub- module in the solar panel 100 when at least a portion of such sub-module is shaded. Accordingly, the solar panel 100 lacks a bypass diode.
- FIG. 2 an exemplary photovoltaic sub-module 200 that can be included in the solar panel 100 is illustrated.
- size of the photovoltaic sub-module 200 can be between 10 centimeters and 30 centimeters in length, and between 10 centimeters and 30 centimeters in width.
- the photovoltaic sub-module 200 comprises a plurality of groups 202-240 of electrically connected photovoltaic cells, wherein the groups 202-240 are electrically connected in series.
- photovoltaic sub-module 200 is shown as including 20 groups, it is to be understood that a number and arrangement of groups in the photovoltaic sub-module 200 can depend upon a desired voltage output by the photovoltaic sub-module 200.
- the photovoltaic sub-module 200 is shown as being a definable, physical sub-element of a solar panel, it is to be understood that a photovoltaic sub- module can be defined by a circuit that is employed to connect cells in a solar panel; both arrangements are intended to fall under the scope of the hereto-appended claims.
- the photovoltaic sub-module 200 can comprise approximately 100 groups, wherein each of the groups is configured to output a consistent voltage; for example, approximately 2.4 volts.
- the desired output of the photovoltaic sub-module 200 is approximately 240 volts.
- the photovoltaic sub-module 200 can comprise a first plurality of groups that are connected in series and a second plurality of groups that are connected in series, wherein the first plurality of groups and the second plurality of groups are connected in parallel.
- each of the groups 202-240 is configured to output approximately 2.4 volts. Even if a subset of the groups 202-240 are shaded in the photovoltaic sub-module 200, because the voltage output thereby is relatively low and the current passing through the groups 202-240 is relatively low (on the order of milliamps), even if individual cells in the groups are operating in reverse breakdown, insufficient power is dissipated across the groups 202-240 to cause such groups 202-240 (or cells therein) to suffer damage. Accordingly, the photovoltaic sub-module 200 need not include any bypass diodes connected to any of the groups 202-240.
- the group 300 comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells 302-332.
- the photovoltaic cells 302-332 can be microsystem enable photovoltaic cells that are relatively thin (1.0 - 50 micrometers thick), small (50 micrometers- 10 millimeters laterally) photovoltaic cells that are built using microfabrication concepts.
- a photovoltaic cell can be no larger than two centimeters in length by two centimeters in width.
- the photovoltaic cells 302-332 can be or include Si cells,
- GaAs cells and/or Indium Gallium Phosphorous (Phosphide) (InGaP) cells.
- InGaP Indium Gallium Phosphorous
- At least one of the photovoltaic cells 302-332 can be a III-V photovoltaic cell. Additionally or alternatively, the photovoltaic cells 302- 332 can include at least one Germanium (Ge) photovoltaic cell. Still further, the photovoltaic cells 302-332 can be, or may be included in, multi-junction cells that include layers of differing types of photovoltaic cells with differing band gaps.
- Heterogeneously integrating (e.g., vertically stacking) different cell types for dielectric layers therebetween, can yield high performance multi-junction cells, where a designer of a photovoltaic panel is free from lattice matching and series connected constraints of monolithic cells.
- each of the photovoltaic cells 302-332 can be a multi-junction cell wherein, for each multi-junction cell, layers are integrally connected. This effectively creates a string of photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series in a relatively small amount of space.
- cells in a multi-junction cell may not be integrally connected.
- the photovoltaic cells 302-332 can be of the same type (silicon). Other arrangements of photovoltaic cells are also contemplated.
- the submodule 300 can comprise a first string of photovoltaic cells 334, a second string of photovoltaic cells 336, a third string of photovoltaic cells 338, and a fourth string of photovoltaic cells 340.
- the first string of photovoltaic cells 334 comprises the photovoltaic cells 302-308 electrically connected in series.
- the second string of photovoltaic cells 336 comprises photovoltaic cells 310-316 electrically connected in series.
- the third string of photovoltaic cells 338 comprises the photovoltaic cells 318-324 electrically connected in series
- the fourth string of photovoltaic cells 340 comprises the photovoltaic cells 326-332 electrically connected in series.
- the first string of photovoltaic cells 334, the second string of photovoltaic cells 336, the third string of photovoltaic cells 338, and the fourth string of photovoltaic cells 340 are electrically connected in parallel.
- photovoltaic cells 302-332 have different operating voltages. For instance, if the photovoltaic cells 302-332 are Ge cells, the operating voltage may be approximately 0.3 volts. If the photovoltaic cells 302-332 are Si cells, then the operating voltage may be approximately 0.6 volts. If the photovoltaic cells 302-332 are GaAs cells, then the operating voltage may be approximately 0.9 volts, and if the photovoltaic cells 302- 332 are InGaP cells, then the operating voltage may be approximately 1.3 volts. Pursuant to an example, the photovoltaic cells 302-332 can be Si cells.
- each of the strings of photovoltaic cells 334-340 outputs approximately 2.4 volts (a common voltage), and therefore the output of the group 300 is approximately 2.4 volts.
- strings 334, 336, 338, and 340 have different numbers of cells for the different cell types, approximating the common voltage.
- the slight voltage mismatch is tolerable, and if desired, a larger number of cells and a higher voltage can be used to provide more precise voltage matching.
- power management circuitry can be used to independently boost the voltages generated by the series connections of different cell types to a common voltage.
- the photovoltaic sub- module 200 can include one hundred of the groups 300 electrically connected in series. Therefore, each sub-module 102-148 in the solar panel 100 outputs approximately 240 volts, and the output of the solar panel 100 is thus approximately 240 volts.
- the solar panel 100 includes 38,400 cells.
- the photovoltaic cells 302-332 in each of the groups generate 4 milliwatts of electric power.
- a solar panel that is composed of photovoltaic cells described above can be free of any bypass diodes, since individual cells are not likely to be damaged even when a portion of the solar panel is subject to shading.
- the photovoltaic sub-module 400 can comprise a plurality of multi-junction photovoltaic cells, such that each multi-junction photovoltaic cell comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells.
- each multi-junction photovoltaic cell can comprise a Si photovoltaic cell and a III-V photovoltaic cell.
- each multi-junction photovoltaic cell can comprise a Ge photovoltaic cell, a Si photovoltaic cell, a GaAs photovoltaic cell and an InGaP photovoltaic cell.
- the exemplary photovoltaic sub-module 400 comprises 72 multi- junction photovoltaic cells, wherein each of the multi-junction photovoltaic cells comprises a Ge cell, an Si cell, a GaAs cell, and an InGaP cell. These different cells are shown as laid out adjacent to one another; however, such layout is for purposes of explanation. As indicated above, the cells in the multi-junction cells are stacked on top of one another. In another exemplary embodiment, cells can be placed in a side- by-side configuration (e.g., if spectrum spreading optics are used).
- the photovoltaic module 400 comprises different numbers of each cell type connected in series (to create a string) to arrive at similar intermediate (higher) voltage. These strings can be connected in parallel to effectively add currents.
- a desired intermediate voltage output by the photovoltaic module 400 can be approximately 10 volts.
- a Ge cell may have an operating voltage of approximately 0.3 volts
- an Si cell may have an operating voltage of approximately 0.6 volts
- a GaAs cell may have an operating voltage of approximately 0.9 volts
- an InGaP cell may have an operating voltage of approximately 1.3 V.
- the photovoltaic sub-module 400 can comprise a first string of Ge cells 402 and a second string of Ge cells 404 that each comprises 36 cells electrically connected in series. Accordingly, each of the first string of Ge cells 402 and the second string of Ge cells 404 outputs approximately 10.8 V.
- the exemplary photovoltaic sub-module 400 further comprises a first string of Si cells 406, a second string of Si cells 408, a third string of Si cells 410 and a fourth string of Si cells 412.
- Each of the strings of Si cells 406-412 can comprise 18 cells electrically connected in series, resulting in each string outputting approximately 10.8 volts.
- the sub-module 400 can additionally comprise a first string of GaAs cells 414, a second string of GaAs cells 416, a third string of GaAs cells 418, a fourth string of GaAs cells 420, a fifth string of GaAs cells 422, and a sixth string of GaAs cells 424.
- Each of the strings of GaAs cells 414-424 can comprise 12 cells electrically connected in series, resulting in each string of GaAs cells outputting approximately 10.8 volts.
- the sub-module 400 can also comprise a first string of InGaP cells 426, a second string of InGaP cells 428, a third string of InGaP cells 430, a fourth string of InGaP cells 432, a fifth string of InGaP cells 434, a sixth string of InGaP cells 436, a seventh string of InGaP cells 438, an eighth string of InGaP cells 440, and a ninth string of InGaP cells 442.
- Each of the strings of InGaP cells 426-442 can comprise eight cells electrically connected in series resulting in each string of InGaP cells outputting approximately 10.4 volts.
- an intermediate operating voltage for each string of cells can be approximately 10 volts. It can further be ascertained that voltages output by strings of different cell types are not identical, and thus the voltage output by the sub-module 400 will be the lowest voltage output by the strings of cells.
- the sub-module 400 is less susceptible to output power reductions from spectral shifts that affect response of cell types in an unequal manner when compared to conventional photovoltaic modules.
- the solar panel 100 can be associated with an inverter that transforms the voltage output by the solar panel 100 from DC to AC at a phase desired by a consumer of electric power produced by such solar panel 100.
- the solar panel 100 can comprise micro-concentrating optics that are configured to concentrate light from the sun onto the photovoltaic cells therein.
- microelectronics can be employed to cause intermediate voltages to be at desired levels (voltages output by each of the modules 102-148).
- a photovoltaic sub-module or group can comprise one or more DC to DC converters (with micropower tracking electronics) to cause intermediate output voltages to be approximately equivalent and dynamically adjustable.
- a photovoltaic group can comprise micro-inverters that transform DC voltage output by a cell or arrangement of cells into AC voltage.
- microelectronic devices for boost conversion and power tracking.
- the multi-junction photovoltaic cell 500 comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells: an InGaP cell 508 initially receives light from the sun; a GaAs cell 506 is immediately adjacent to the InGaP cell 508; an Si cell 504 is immediately adjacent to the GaAs cell 506; and a Ge cell 502 is immediately adjacent to the Si cell 504. It is to be understood that other arrangements are contemplated by the inventors and are intended to fall under the scope of the hereto appended claims.
- Exemplary embodiments where the solar panel 100 is beneficially employed include any installation where at least partial shading is possible. For example, a rooftop of a building with trees nearby; areas with intermittent cloud cover, areas proximate to air traffic, and the like. Additionally, features described herein are beneficial in installations where the solar panel 100, portions thereof, or an entire installation are flexible, curved, conformed, or otherwise non-planar in such a manner such that at least a portion of the solar panel 100 is always subject to shading. In such an installation, the solar panel can output desired voltages without the solar panel 100 including bypass diodes.
- FIG. 6-7 various exemplary methodologies are illustrated and described. While the methodologies are described as being a series of acts that are performed in a sequence, it is to be understood that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the sequence. For instance, some acts may occur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition, an act may occur concurrently with another act. Furthermore, in some instances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodology described herein.
- FIG. 6 an exemplary methodology 600 that facilitates creating a solar panel that is free of bypass diodes is illustrated.
- the methodology 600 starts at 602, and at 604 a plurality of microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells are received.
- the microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells can have both positive and negative contacts on a backside thereof.
- the plurality of microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells can be electrically connected to create a photovoltaic sub-module, wherein the photovoltaic sub-module is free of bypass diodes.
- the relatively small amount of current that travels through the microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells ensures that any individual photovoltaic cell is not damaged when operating in reverse breakdown when such cell is subjected to shading.
- a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules are electrically connected to create a solar panel. Because the photovoltaic sub-modules are composed of the microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells, the solar panel can be free of bypass diodes.
- the solar panel however, in an exemplary embodiment, can include a power management integrated circuit that is electrically connected to photovoltaic sub-modules in the solar panel such that the power management integrated circuit can output electric power based, at least in part, upon voltages output by respective photovoltaic sub-modules.
- power management integrated circuits can be placed in connection with groups, such that strings of photovoltaic cells are electrically connected to the power management integrated circuit, and the output of a sub-module is based upon voltages output by the respective groups that are connected to the integrated circuit.
- the methodology 600 completes at 610.
- FIG. 7 another exemplary methodology 700 for creating a solar panel that lacks bypass diodes is illustrated.
- the methodology 700 starts at 702, and at 704 a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules are received.
- the photovoltaic sub-modules are electrically connected to generate a solar panel, wherein at least a subset of the photovoltaic sub-modules are electrically connected in parallel, and wherein the solar panel is free of bypass diodes.
- the methodology 700 completes at 708.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN201380035972.8A CN104508834B (zh) | 2012-07-06 | 2013-07-02 | 无旁路二极管的光伏发电*** |
KR1020157002917A KR101638753B1 (ko) | 2012-07-06 | 2013-07-02 | 바이패스 다이오드가 없는 태양광 발전 시스템 |
JP2015520666A JP6010694B2 (ja) | 2012-07-06 | 2013-07-02 | バイパスダイオードがない太陽光発電システム |
EP13812821.0A EP2870636A4 (en) | 2012-07-06 | 2013-07-02 | SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY WITHOUT BYPASS DIODES |
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US13/543,297 US9093586B2 (en) | 2007-11-01 | 2012-07-06 | Photovoltaic power generation system free of bypass diodes |
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JP (2) | JP6010694B2 (zh) |
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Cited By (3)
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CN108281499A (zh) * | 2018-03-09 | 2018-07-13 | 天合光能股份有限公司 | 一种新型电路设计的光伏电池组件 |
WO2021014449A1 (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2021-01-28 | Solarwat Ltd. | High voltage photovoltaic systems using mini/micro solar cells |
US11888442B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 | 2024-01-30 | Solarwat Ltd | Solar modules having solar sub cells with matrix connections between the solar sub cells |
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KR102000062B1 (ko) | 2016-03-15 | 2019-10-01 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | 태양광 모듈 |
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JP4154004B2 (ja) * | 1997-01-06 | 2008-09-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | 太陽電池モジュールの製造方法 |
JP2002373997A (ja) * | 2001-04-10 | 2002-12-26 | Kanegafuchi Chem Ind Co Ltd | 集積型ハイブリッド薄膜光電変換モジュール |
JP2004296658A (ja) * | 2003-03-26 | 2004-10-21 | Sharp Corp | 多接合太陽電池およびその電流整合方法 |
US20070227579A1 (en) * | 2006-03-30 | 2007-10-04 | Benyamin Buller | Assemblies of cylindrical solar units with internal spacing |
US20090217965A1 (en) * | 2006-04-21 | 2009-09-03 | Dougal Roger A | Apparatus and method for enhanced solar power generation and maximum power point tracking |
WO2008052014A2 (en) * | 2006-10-23 | 2008-05-02 | Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. | Flexible high-voltage adaptable current photovoltaic modules and associated methods |
DE502006004401D1 (de) * | 2006-12-05 | 2009-09-10 | Fraunhofer Ges Forschung | Photovoltaisches Modul und dessen Verwendung |
EP2132782B1 (en) * | 2007-02-15 | 2012-07-11 | Transform Solar Pty Ltd. | A substrate assembly, an assembly process, and an assembly apparatus |
US8835748B2 (en) * | 2009-01-06 | 2014-09-16 | Sunlight Photonics Inc. | Multi-junction PV module |
JP4726962B2 (ja) * | 2009-01-09 | 2011-07-20 | シャープ株式会社 | 薄膜太陽電池モジュール及び薄膜太陽電池アレイ |
EP2380070B1 (en) * | 2009-01-19 | 2013-12-25 | FH Joanneum GmbH | Power control of serially connected cells |
KR101055616B1 (ko) * | 2009-03-30 | 2011-08-09 | 김혁 | 바이패스 유닛을 구비하는 태양 전지판 |
US8263920B2 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2012-09-11 | The Boeing Company | Diodeless terrestrial photovoltaic solar power array |
EP2526568B1 (en) * | 2010-01-23 | 2017-04-19 | Solarwat Ltd. | Solar system for generating electric power |
US8859891B2 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2014-10-14 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Socket assembly for a photovoltaic package |
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- 2013-07-02 EP EP13812821.0A patent/EP2870636A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11888442B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 | 2024-01-30 | Solarwat Ltd | Solar modules having solar sub cells with matrix connections between the solar sub cells |
CN108281499A (zh) * | 2018-03-09 | 2018-07-13 | 天合光能股份有限公司 | 一种新型电路设计的光伏电池组件 |
CN108281499B (zh) * | 2018-03-09 | 2023-10-13 | 天合光能股份有限公司 | 一种新型电路设计的光伏电池组件 |
WO2021014449A1 (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2021-01-28 | Solarwat Ltd. | High voltage photovoltaic systems using mini/micro solar cells |
Also Published As
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WO2014008313A3 (en) | 2014-04-03 |
CN104508834B (zh) | 2016-09-21 |
EP2870636A2 (en) | 2015-05-13 |
EP2870636A4 (en) | 2016-03-16 |
CN104508834A (zh) | 2015-04-08 |
KR20150036356A (ko) | 2015-04-07 |
KR101638753B1 (ko) | 2016-07-11 |
JP6010694B2 (ja) | 2016-10-19 |
JP2016149582A (ja) | 2016-08-18 |
JP2015522215A (ja) | 2015-08-03 |
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