Patent ID: 8013472
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: H02J,H02M,Y02B,Y02E,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A method for harvesting power from a distributed power system having a plurality of DC power sources and a plurality of DC power converters, the method comprising: coupling each of the power sources to a respective DC power converter; coupling the power converters in series, to thereby form a serial string; coupling the serial string to an input of an inverter; fixing voltage level at the input of said inverter to a predetermined constant value, thereby holding the input voltage at a set value thereby forcing current flowing through the serial string to vary according to power provided by the power sources, wherein said fixing is performed by said inverter; and controlling power output from each power source individually and individually varying the input voltage or current to each respective converter according to a predetermined criterion; and, monitoring load on each converter individually and limiting power output from each converter to a preset safe level until predetermined criterion is reached.