Patent ID: 7476987

Claim:
A renewable energy power conversion apparatus suitable for generating electrical power at an output to drive a load using power obtained from a renewable energy source, the electrical power at the output of the apparatus provided at a substantially pre-determined output voltage level despite variations in the availability of the renewable energy source, the apparatus comprising: a. a power generator having a generator output, said power generator adapted to convert energy from the renewable energy source into a generated power at a generated voltage level that varies subject to the availability of the renewable energy source, the power generator rated for a pre-determined nominal generator voltage level; b. a buck-boost power flow channel coupling the generator output of said power generator to the output of the apparatus, said buck-boost power flow channel adapted to provide a first portion of the output power at the output of the apparatus by regulating a first portion of the generated power to a regulated voltage level and by boosting the first portion of the generated power to a voltage level which is substantially compatible with the pre-determined output voltage level; and c. a bypass power flow channel coupling the generator output of said power generator to the output of the apparatus, said bypass power flow channel adapted to operate in parallel with said buck-boost power flow channel to provide a second portion of the output power by passing the second portion of the generated power directly to the output of the apparatus at a voltage level which is substantially equal to the generated voltage level; wherein most of the generated power flows from the output of said power generator to the output of the apparatus via said bypass power flow channel when the generated voltage level rises substantially above the nominal generator voltage level.