Journal
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS
Volume 28, Issue 3, Pages 1189-1198Publisher
IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC
DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2012.2206056
Keywords
Maximum power point tracking (MPPT); microinverter; resonant converter; solar energy; switched-capacitor
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This paper discusses the theory and implementation of a class of distributed power converters for photovoltaic (PV) energy optimization. Resonant switched-capacitor converters are configured in parallel with strings of PV cells at the sub-module level to improve energy capture in the event of shading or mismatch. The converters operate in a parallel-ladder architecture, enforcing voltage ratios among strings of cells at terminals normally connected to bypass diodes. The balancing function extends from the sub-module level to the entire series string through a dual-core cable and connector. The parallel configuration allows converters to handle only mismatch power and turn off if there is no mismatch in the array. Measurement results demonstrate insertion loss below 0.1% and effective conversion efficiency above 99% for short-circuit current mismatch gradients up to 40%. The circuit implementation eliminates large power magnetic components, achieving a vertical footprint less than 6 mm. The merits of a resonant topology are compared to a switched-capacitor topology.
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