Patent ID: 8471408
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: G01R,G05F,H01L,H02J,H02M,H02S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a photovoltaic array comprising: in a first mode, providing DC current from photovoltaic cells, with a first voltage polarity, to a bidirectional power converter, and operating said bidirectional power converter to provide an AC power output onto an AC connection; in a second mode, operating said bidirectional converter in reverse, to apply a DC potential to the string of photovoltaic cells, with a voltage polarity which is opposite to said first voltage polarity; and varying said DC potential, while measuring electric current through said string of photovoltaic cells, to thereby obtain an I-V profile; and using said I-V profile to evaluate the string of photovoltaic cells.