Illumination agnostic solar panel

Abstract

In an example embodiment, a method to operate a PV module includes measuring module output power collectively generated by a plurality of power conversion circuits of the PV module. The module output power collectively generated by the plurality of power conversion circuits is characterized by a module power output curve having a peak. A current measured output power is compared to a preceding measured output power. Based on a preceding direction variable indicating a side of the peak on which the PV module was previously operating and the comparison of the current measured output power to the preceding measured output power: a current direction variable indicating a side of the peak on which the PV module is currently operating is determined, and a switching period of the power conversion circuits is adjusted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to operate a photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
 measuring module output power collectively generated by a plurality of power conversion circuits of a photovoltaic module, wherein the module output power collectively generated by the plurality of power conversion circuits is characterized by a module power output curve having a peak;   comparing a current measured output power to a preceding measured output power; and   based on a preceding direction variable indicating a side of the peak on which the photovoltaic module was previously operating and the comparison of the current measured output power to the preceding measured output power:
 determining a current direction variable indicating a side of the peak on which the photovoltaic module is currently operating; and 
 adjusting a switching period of the plurality of power conversion circuits. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operating the plurality of power conversion circuits in pairs, each power conversion circuit in a pair being operated 180 degrees out of phase with the other power conversion circuit in the pair. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, in response to detecting the failure of at least one of the power conversion circuits, applying full current of the photovoltaic module through the failed power conversion circuit to cause a corresponding fuse to fail. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the current direction variable and adjusting the switching period based on the preceding direction variable and the comparison of the current measured output power to the preceding measured output comprises:
 if the preceding direction variable is greater than zero and the current measured output power is greater than the preceding measured output power, maintaining the preceding direction variable as the current direction variable and increasing the switching period;   if the preceding direction variable is greater than zero and the current measured output power is less than the preceding measured output power, setting the current direction variable to a negative number and decreasing the switching period;   if the preceding direction variable is less than zero and the current measured output power is greater than the preceding measured output power, maintaining the preceding direction variable as the current direction variable and decreasing the switching period; or   if the preceding direction variable is less than zero and the current measured output power is less than the preceding measured output power, setting the current direction variable to a positive number and increasing the switching period.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein each power conversion circuit includes at least one capacitor, the method further comprising:
 allowing the at least one capacitor to change charge in response to the adjustment to the switching period, wherein the current measured output power becomes a new preceding measured output power and the current direction variable becomes a new preceding direction variable after allowing the at least one capacitor to change charge;   measuring the module output power collectively generated by the plurality of power conversion circuits after allowing the at least one capacitor to change charge to obtain a new current measured output power;   comparing the new current measured output power to the new preceding measured output power; and   determining a new direction variable and adjusting the switching period based on the new preceding direction variable and the comparison of the new current measured output power to the new preceding measured output power.