Patent ID: 8050804

Claim:
A method for controlling the operation of a solar panel by an electronic module, wherein the electronic module includes means for measuring a value of the temperature of the solar panel and means for measuring a value of the voltage across the solar panel and means for configuring the electronic module to demand more or less current from the solar panel, comprising: determining a value of the temperature of the solar panel; determining an expected output voltage of the solar panel as a function of the value of the temperature; determining an instant value of the output voltage of the solar panel; comparing the instant value of the output voltage of the solar panel to the expected value of the output voltage of the solar panel; and configuring the electronic module so that a value of current drawn from the solar panel prevents the instant value of the output voltage from exceeding a negative difference value of the expected output voltage without the use of a bypass diode; wherein the negative difference value is determined by adjusting a maximum power point voltage condition by subtracting a tolerance value and by subtracting a temperature correction factor characteristic of the solar panel.