Method for operation of a photovoltaic generator at an operating point of maximum power

US8860358B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SMA Solar Technology AG · DE

Inventors

• Gerd Bettenwort · Kassel, DE
• Jens Klein · Grünwald, DE
• Markus Hopf · Vellmar, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 24, 2013
• Grant date: Oct 14, 2014
• Expiry date: Jan 24, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/56
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method includes searching for a point of maximum power based on a systematic load variation, setting the point of maximum power as the operating point of the photovoltaic generator, and tracking the operating point based on a load variation with a narrow variation range. The method also includes analyzing operating variables of the photovoltaic generator to determine the level of probability that the operating point deviates from the point of maximum power, selectively interrupting the tracking and carrying out another search to determine the point of maximum power as a function of the analysis of the operating variables, and setting the point of maximum power as the operating point, and resuming the tracking. The method further takes into account previous searches carried out in the presence of comparable operating variables to determine the probability.