Patent ID: 8344547
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: G05F,Y02E,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of setting an operating parameter of a photovoltaic element using a maximum power point tracker having a processor and a memory, the method comprising: operating a photovoltaic element at a value of an operating parameter of the photovoltaic element; sequentially changing the value of the operating parameter of the photovoltaic element in discrete steps; measuring a power of the photovoltaic element at multiple values of the operating parameter, wherein the multiple values of the operating parameter include the values of the operating parameter after each discrete step of sequentially changing the value of the operating parameter; calculating a slope of a power-operating parameter curve of the photovoltaic element using the power of the photovoltaic element measured at the multiple values of the operating parameter; calculating a new set value of the operating parameter of the photovoltaic element, wherein the new set value of the operating parameter is based at least in part on one of the multiple values of the operating parameter; and adjusting the value of the operating parameter of the photovoltaic element so that the value of the operating parameter of the photovoltaic element is equal to the new set value of the operating parameter.