Maximum power sensor for photovoltaic system
US6979989B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S323/906
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A maximum power level sensor and method for reliably providing instantaneous estimates of maximum power level for a photovoltaic system including one or more photovoltaic cells under prevailing conditions of irradiance, array temperature and spectrum of sunlight. The maximum power level sensor produces a reference voltage signal which is proportional to the maximum power level of the photovoltaic system. The maximum power level sensor comprises a reference circuit including at least one reference photovoltaic cell and a thermistor network in parallel with the reference cell. The thermistor network comprises at least one negative temperature coefficient thermistor, at least one resistor in parallel with the thermistor, and at least one resistor in series with the thermistor and the parallel resistor. The thermistor is positioned in or on the photovoltaic array. The reference cell is preferably constructed of materials which are similar to those of the photovoltaic cells in the photovoltaic system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.