Patent ID: 8676398

Claim:
A solar power inverter, comprising: a component; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature at a location proximate to the component; a cooling device configured to cool the component; and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the cooling device, wherein the controller is programmed to: receive the temperature from the temperature sensor; determine a temperature of the component from the temperature of the temperature sensor; determine a temperature setpoint of the component, wherein the temperature setpoint is based upon 1) a component initial temperature, 2) a temperature excursion limit of the component, and 3) an absolute temperature limit of the component; receive an ambient temperature; compare the temperature of the component to the ambient temperature; and delay the activation of the cooling device until the temperature of the component exceeds the ambient temperature by a threshold amount, then activate the cooling device; and wherein the controller is further programmed to control the cooling device based on the temperature of the component and the temperature setpoint.