Solar power generation system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12101057-B2
Application number	US-202318138737-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 25, 2023
Priority date	May 2, 2022
Publication date	Sep 24, 2024
Grant date	Sep 24, 2024

Abstract

A solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, and a plurality of shut-off devices. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups. The plurality of shut-off devices is configured to cut off the connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a control signal from the inverter. The plurality of solar cell module groups includes a first group, a second group connected to the first group, and a third group connected to the second group. The plurality of shut-off devices includes a first shut-off device. The first shut-off device includes a first open-close unit connected to an anode-side terminal of the second group and a second open-close unit connected to a cathode-side terminal of the second group.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A solar power generation system, comprising:
a string including a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series with each other, the plurality of solar cell module groups each including one or more solar cell modules connected in series with each other;
an inverter connected to the string, the inverter being configured to convert DC power output from the string to AC power; and
a plurality of shut-off devices configured to cut off electrical connections between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a control signal from the inverter,
wherein the plurality of solar cell module groups each have an open circuit voltage equal to or less than a predetermined open circuit voltage,
the plurality of solar cell module groups includes a first group, a second group connected to the first group, and a third group connected to the second group,
the plurality of shut-off devices includes a first shut-off device including a first open-close unit connected to an anode-side terminal of the second group and a second open-close unit connected to a cathode-side terminal of the second group, and
the first shut-off device includes a signal receiving unit configured to receive the control signal from the inverter, and a bypass circuit configured to cause the signal receiving unit to receive the control signal from the inverter in a state where the connection between the plurality of solar cell module groups is shut off.

2. A solar power generation system, comprising:
a string including a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series with each other, the plurality of solar cell module groups each including one or more solar cell modules connected in series with each other;
an inverter connected to the string, the inverter being configured to convert DC power output from the string to AC power; and
a plurality of shut-off devices configured to cut off electrical connections between the plurality of solar cell module groups in response to a control signal from the inverter, wherein
the plurality of solar cell module groups each have an open circuit voltage equal to or less than a predetermined open circuit voltage,
the plurality of solar cell module groups includes a first group, a second group connected to the first group, and a third group connected to the second group,
the plurality of shut-off devices includes a first shut-off device including a first open-close unit connected to an anode-side terminal of the second group and a second open-close unit connected to a cathode-side terminal of the second group,
the plurality of solar cell module groups further includes a fourth group connected to the third group, and a fifth group connected to the fourth group,
the plurality of shut-off devices further includes a second shut-off device including a third open-close unit connected to an anode-side terminal of the fourth group and a fourth open-close unit connected to a cathode-side terminal of the fourth group, and
the second shut-off device further includes a second bypass device connected in parallel with the fourth group.

3. The solar power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first shut-off device further includes a first bypass device connected in parallel with the second group.

4. The solar power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first shut-off device is configured in a manner that allows opening and closing of the first open-close unit and the second open-close unit to be controlled independently of each other.

5. The solar power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first shut-off device is driven by an electrical power generated by the second group.

6. The solar power generation system according to claim 1 , at least one of the first group, the second group, or the third group of the plurality of solar cell module groups includes the plurality of solar cell modules connected in series.

7. The solar power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined open circuit voltage is 165 V.

8. The solar power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the inverter is configured to output the control signal to the plurality of shut-off devices by power line communication.

9. The solar power generation system according to claim 1 , wherein the inverter is configured to output the control signal to the plurality of shut-off devices by wireless communication.

10. The solar power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the second shut-off device is configured in a manner that allows opening and closing of the third open-close unit and the fourth open-close unit to be controlled independently of each other.

11. The solar power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the second shut-off device is driven by an electrical power generated by the fourth group.

12. The solar power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the third group, the fourth group, or the fifth group of the plurality of solar cell module groups includes the plurality of solar cell modules connected in series.

13. The solar power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined open circuit voltage is 165 V.

14. The solar power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the inverter is configured to output the control signal to the plurality of shut-off devices by power line communication.

15. The solar power generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the inverter is configured to output the control signal to the plurality of shut-off devices by wireless communication.

Assignees

• Omron Tateisi Electronics Co

Inventors

• Takeyama Takahiro
• Ogura Ryo
• Baik Jeongho
• Nakaichi Jun
• Uchida Tsuyoshi
• Endo Tomoko
• Martin Erica

Classifications

• H02J2101/24

  Photovoltaics · CPC title

• H02J13/34

  the equipment being switches, relays or circuit breakers · CPC title

• H02S40/32

  comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules · CPC title

• H02H7/20

  for electronic equipment (for converters H02H7/10; for electric measuring instruments G01R1/36; for DC voltage or current semiconductor regulators G05F1/569; for amplifiers H03F1/52; for electronic switching circuits H03K17/08) · CPC title

• H02S40/36 Primary

  characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection · CPC title