System and method for controlling a solar panel output

Abstract

A control system includes a control module and one or more input sources. The control module is coupled to an output of the solar module in order to operate the solar panel so that an output of the solar panel is at a maximum power level. The control module is able to selectively decrease a current level of the solar panel's output in response to a condition that is indicative of a temperature of the solar panel while maintaining the power output of the solar panel at or within a designated percentage of the maximum level. The input source is coupled to the control module to provide an input that is indicative of the temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling an output of a solar panel, the method comprising:
 determining a temperature input for the solar panel; and   when the temperature input is above a threshold, selectively reducing a current output of the solar panel while maintaining a power level of the output of the solar panel above a designated threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selectively reducing the current output of the solar panel includes:
 when the temperature input of the solar panel is above the threshold, determining whether the power level of the output of the solar panel is within a designated range of a maximum power level, and reducing the current output of the solar panel when the power level of the output of the solar panel is within the designated range.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein determining whether the power level of the output of the solar panel is within the designated range of the maximum power level includes determining a maximum power point of the output of the solar panel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the temperature input includes determining an input from a temperature sensor that is coupled to the solar panel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the temperature input includes determining a time of day from a clock input. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the temperature input includes determining a data input provided through a data port. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising:
 after reducing the current output of the solar panel, making a determination of whether a temperature condition exists for the solar panel.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising reducing the current output again when the temperature condition is determined to exist. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the temperature condition includes determining, after reducing the current output of solar panel, that a temperature of the solar panel is within a designated range of a temperature of the solar panel before the current output of the solar panel is reduced. 
     
     
         10 . A system for controlling an output of a solar panel, the method comprising:
 a temperature input; and   a control module coupled to the temperature input and to the output of the solar panel to:
 determine a temperature input for the solar panel from the temperature input; and 
 when the temperature input is above a threshold, selectively reduce a current output of the solar panel while maintaining a power level of the output of the solar panel above a designated threshold. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control module selectively reduces the current output of the solar panel by (i) determining, when the temperature input of the solar panel is above the threshold, whether the power level of the output of the solar panel is within a designated range of a maximum power level, and then (ii) reducing the current output of the solar panel when the power level of the output of the solar panel is within the designated range. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control module determines whether the power level of the output of the solar panel is within the designated range of the maximum power level by determining a maximum power point of the output of the solar panel. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the temperature input includes a temperature sensor that is coupled to the solar panel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the temperature input includes a clock input. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the temperature input includes a data port. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein, after reducing the current output of the solar panel, the control module makes a determination of whether a temperature condition exists for the solar panel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the control module reduces the current output again when the temperature condition is determined to exist. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control module determines that the temperature condition exists by determining, after reducing the current output of solar panel, that a temperature of the solar panel is within a designated range of a temperature of the solar panel before the current output of the solar panel was reduced. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control module reduces the current level by controlling one or more switches that regulate the output of solar panel. 
     
     
         20 . A system for controlling an output of a solar panel, the system comprising:
 means for determining a temperature input for the solar panel; and   means for selectively reducing a current output of the solar panel while maintaining a power level of the output of the solar panel above a designated threshold when the temperature input is above a threshold.