Photovoltaic Module with Distributed Power Conversion Circuits

Content Provider	The Lens
Description	Cette invention concerne un module photovoltaïque, comprenant des cellules solaires (101) et un circuit de conversion de puissance. Le circuit de conversion de puissance comprend un circuit intégré (200) qui est disposé avec les cellules solaires (101) à l'intérieur d'un stratifié (160) du module photovoltaïque. Le circuit de conversion de puissance comprend en outre un circuit externe disposé à l'extérieur du stratifié (160). Le circuit externe se trouve dans une enceinte (150), telle qu'une boîte de jonction. Le circuit externe comprend des composants magnétiques, tels qu'une bobine d'induction ou un transformateur.
Abstract	A photovoltaic module includes solar cells (101) and a power conversion circuit. The power conversion circuit includes an in-laminate circuit (200) that is disposed with the solar cells (101) within a laminate (160) of the photovoltaic module. The power conversion circuit further includes an external circuit disposed outside of the laminate (160). The external circuit is in an enclosure (150), such as a junction box. The external circuit includes magnetic components, such as an inductor or a transformer.
Related Links	https://www.lens.org/lens/patent/010-011-389-159-075/frontpage
Language	English
Publisher Date	2019-01-31
Access Restriction	Open
Alternative Title	Module Photovoltaïque À Circuits De Conversion De Puissance Répartis
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Patent
Date Applied	2018-06-28
Agent	Benedicto, Patrick D. Et Al.
Applicant	Sunpower Corp
Application No.	2018040062
Claim	CLAIMS What is claimed is: A photovoltaic module comprising: a plurality of solar cells; a first subcircuit of a power conversion circuit, the first subcircuit being electrically connected to a solar cell of the plurality of solar cells; an encapsulant that encapsulates the plurality of solar cells and the first subcircuit within the encapsulant; and a second subcircuit of the power conversion circuit, the second subcircuit being disposed outside the encapsulant, the second subcircuit comprising a magnetic component. The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein the magnetic component comprises a first inductor that is housed in an external enclosure of the photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module of claim 2, wherein the second subcircuit further comprises a second inductor that is also housed in the external enclosure, and wherein the first inductor and the second inductor comprise wires that are wound on a same magnetic core. The photovoltaic module of claim 3, wherein the external enclosure comprises a junction box. The photovoltaic module of claim 2, wherein the second subcircuit comprises an inductor filter. The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein the first subcircuit is implemented in a semiconductor die. The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the power conversion circuit comprises a DC-DC converter. The photovoltaic module of claim 1, wherein the power conversion circuit comprises a microinverter. a first group of solar cells that are connected in series; a first DC-DC converter across the first group of solar cells; an encapsulant that encapsulates the first group of solar cells and the first DC-DC converter; and a microinverter outside the encapsulant, the microinverter being configured to convert a DC output of the first DC -DC converter to an AC output. The photovoltaic module of claim 9, further comprising: a second group of solar cells that are connected in series; a second DC-DC converter across the second group of solar cells, the second DC-DC converter being connected in series with the first DC -DC converter, wherein the encapsulant encapsulates the first and second groups of solar cells and the first and second DC-DC converters. The photovoltaic module of claim 10, wherein the microinverter is configured to convert the DC output of the first DC-DC converter and a DC output of the second DC -DC converter to the AC output. The photovoltaic module of claim 9, further comprising a junction box that is disposed outside the encapsulant, the junction box being configured to house the microinverter. a first semiconductor die disposed between solar cells of the plurality of solar cells, the first semiconductor die comprising a subcircuit of a power conversion circuit; an encapsulant that encapsulates the plurality of solar cells and the first semiconductor die within the encapsulant; and a magnetic component of the power conversion circuit, the magnetic component being disposed outside the encapsulant. The photovoltaic module of claim 13, wherein the first semiconductor die is in a first interstitial area formed by a first set of four solar cells of the plurality of solar cells. The photovoltaic module of claim 14, further comprising a second semiconductor die of a second power conversion circuit, the second semiconductor die being formed in a second interstitial area formed by a second set of four solar cells of the plurality of solar cells. The photovoltaic module of claim 13, wherein the first semiconductor die is disposed along an edge of a solar cell of the plurality of solar cells. The photovoltaic module of claim 13, wherein the magnetic component of the power conversion circuit comprises a magnetic core and a wire that is wrapped around the magnetic core a plurality of times. The photovoltaic module of claim 13 , further comprising a junction box that houses the magnetic component of the power conversion circuit. The photovoltaic module of claim 18, wherein the junction box further houses an electrolytic capacitor of the power conversion circuit. The photovoltaic module of claim 13, wherein the power conversion circuit is a DC-DC converter.
CPC Classification	GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION; VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC; BETWEEN AC AND DC; OR BETWEEN DC AND DC; AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS;CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER;CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF Reduction Of Greenhouse Gas [Ghg] Emissions; Related To Energy Generation; Transmission Or Distribution
Extended Family	120-918-683-362-852 149-703-281-984-995 125-755-922-220-324 010-011-389-159-075 103-810-224-544-277 032-660-286-985-196 110-517-646-931-956
Patent ID	2019022915
Inventor/Author	Chapman Patrick
IPC	H02S40/34
Status	Pending
Simple Family	110-517-646-931-956 120-918-683-362-852 125-755-922-220-324 010-011-389-159-075 103-810-224-544-277 032-660-286-985-196 149-703-281-984-995
CPC (with Group)	H02S40/32 H02S40/34 H02M3/33573 H02M7/5387 H02M1/126 H02M3/158 H02M7/003 Y02E10/56 H02M1/123 H02M3/003 H10F77/955 H10F19/00 H10F19/80 H02M7/537
Issuing Authority	United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Kind	Patent Application Publication