Patent ID: 8810068

Claim:
A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system, the solar panel array comprising: a string of solar panels coupled in series; an inverter configured to couple power from the string of solar panels to a load, the inverter including an energy storage element; multiple voltage converters, each voltage converter coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels and configured to convert power output from the solar panel to the string; and multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers, each MPPT controller coupled to a corresponding voltage converter and configured to control power output from the voltage converter to the string; each MPPT controller configured to detect, at the solar panel, an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and the energy storage element caused by limiting power output from the inverter to the load based on a rate of change of at least one power variable derived from the solar panel exceeding a predetermine maximum value, and without detecting a voltage on the energy storage element; and adjust power output from the voltage converter to the string in response to the detected instantaneous power unbalance.