US 7,602,080 B1
Systems and methods to balance solar panels in a multi-panel system
Ron Hadar, Cupertino, Calif. (US); and Shmuel Arditi, Los Gatos, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Tigo Energy, Inc., Los Gatos, Calif. (US)
Filed on Mar. 25, 2009, as Appl. No. 12/411,317.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/200601, filed on Dec. 02, 2008.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/200279, filed on Nov. 26, 2008.
Int. Cl. H02J 1/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 307—20  [307/19] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a photovoltaic energy production unit to generate electricity; and
a management unit coupled between the photovoltaic energy production unit and a series connection of energy production units, the management unit having at least a first switch, the photovoltaic energy production unit to generate a first current to provide electricity to the series connection of energy production units via the first switch of the management unit, the management unit to allow a second current larger than the first current to flow through the series connection of energy production units.