System and method for controlling a group of photovoltaic generators

Abstract

A method for controlling a group of photovoltaic energy generators, the method includes providing, to a junction that is coupled to a component of a first photovoltaic energy generator (PEG), power generated by at least a second PEG such as to increase the power that is generated from the group of photovoltaic energy generators (PEGs); wherein the group of PEGs comprises the first PEG and the second PEG.

1 . A system for controlling a group of photovoltaic energy generators, the system comprising a power feedback circuit configured to provide, to a junction that is coupled to a component of a first photovoltaic energy generator (PEG), power generated by at least a second PEG such as to increase the power generated from the group of photovoltaic energy generators (PEGs); wherein the group of PEGs comprises the first PEG and the second PEG. 
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first PEG contributes to the production of power of the group of PEGs. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the power feedback circuit receives power generated from the group of the PEGs. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the power feedback circuit receives power generated from multiple PEGs of the group of the PEGs. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the power feedback circuit receives power generated only from the second PEG of the group of the PEGs. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first PEG generates less current then another PEG that is serially coupled to the first PEG and belongs to the group of PEGs. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the power feedback circuit provides current to the conductive element that is coupled to the first PEG such as to at least partially compensate for a difference between the current generated by the first PEG and a current generated by the other PEG. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first PEG generates less voltage then at another PEG that is coupled in parallel to the first PEG and belongs to the group of PEGs. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a power or voltage or current sensor configured to sense power or voltage or current generated by the group of PEGs. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein the power or voltage or current sensor also senses power or voltage or current generated by the first PEG. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a controller adapted to determine whether to provide the power in response to power considerations. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the provision of power determines a working point of the first PEG. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the power feedback circuit provides a power of a first value to the first PEG; a power (or voltage or current) sensor of the system that measures the power (or voltage or current) generated by the group of PEGs to provide a first measurement result; the power feedback circuit provides a power of a second value to the first PEG; the power sensor measures the power generated by the group of PEGs to provide a second measurement result; and wherein a controller of the system determines a value of power to be provided to the first PEG in response to a comparison between the first and second measurement results. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the power feedback circuit is a direct current (DC) to DC converter adapted to provide to the first PEG a first current and a first voltage. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the DC to DC converter is responsive to a number of PEGs in the group of PEGs and to a desired power correction parameter. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein a controller of the system is configured to determine a value of power to be provided to the first PEG. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein a controller of the system is configured to determine a value of power to be provided to the first PEG in a periodic manner. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein a controller of the system is configured to determine a value of power to be provided to the first PEG in response to an event. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein a controller of the system is configured to determine a value of power to be provided to the first PEG in response to an expected illumination condition change. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein a controller of the system is configured to determine a value of power to be provided to the first PEG in response to reduction in the power generated by the group of PEGs. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein a controller of the system is configured to select the first and second PEGs in response to an illumination condition. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first PEG is a single photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first PEG comprises multiple photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first PEG is a photovoltaic cell panel. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising at least one power feedback circuit that provides power to each conducting element out of multiple conducting elements that are coupled to multiple PEGs of the group of PEGs. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising a second power feedback circuit that provides, to a junction that is coupled to a component of a third PEG, power generated by at least a fourth PEG such as to increase the power generated from the group of PEGs; wherein the group of PEGs comprises the third PEG and the fourth PEG. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 1  comprises a bypass element that selectively bypasses a PEG of the group of PEGs. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising comprises a bypass element that selectively bypasses a PEG of the group of PEGs if a power generated by the PEG is below a power threshold. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising the group of PEGs. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising the first PEG. 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 1  comprising the second PEG. 
     
     
         32 . A system for controlling a group of photovoltaic energy generators, the system comprising a power feedback circuit that provides, to a junction that is coupled to a component of a first photovoltaic energy generator (PEG), power generated by at least a second PEG such as to alter a working point of the group of photovoltaic energy generators (PEGs); wherein the group of PEGs comprises the first PEG and the second PEG. 
     
     
         33 - 68 . (canceled)