Electronic device for optimizing the output power of a solar cell and method for operating the electronic device
US8674675B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electronic device for optimizing the output power of a solar cell, the electronic device having: a variable resistor coupled in series between the solar cell and a load, a control unit that is configured to control the variable resistor, a sensor for measuring an output voltage and a sensor for measuring the output current of the solar cell, wherein the control unit is configured to vary the resistance of the series resistor over time such that the first order derivative of the output voltage over time has a constant value, to monitor the second order derivative of the output current over time simultaneously, to detect whether the second order derivative of the output current over time exceeds a predetermined threshold value and to identify the corresponding values of the output voltage and current as a maximum power point (MPP) of the solar cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.