US 11,817,699 B2
Power converter for a solar panel
F. William Capp, Boston, MA (US); and William J. Driscoll, Westford, MA (US)
Assigned to Solaredge Technologies Ltd., Herzeliya (IL)
Filed by Solaredge Technologies Ltd., Herzeliya (IL)
Filed on Feb. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/676,371.
Application 17/676,371 is a division of application No. 17/509,303, filed on Oct. 25, 2021, granted, now 11,476,663.
Application 17/509,303 is a continuation of application No. 17/353,916, filed on Jun. 22, 2021, granted, now 11,658,508.
Application 17/353,916 is a continuation of application No. 17/153,454, filed on Jan. 20, 2021, granted, now 11,075,518, issued on Jul. 27, 2021.
Application 17/153,454 is a continuation of application No. 16/162,574, filed on Oct. 17, 2018, granted, now 10,910,834, issued on Feb. 2, 2021.
Application 16/162,574 is a continuation of application No. 15/052,633, filed on Feb. 24, 2016, granted, now 10,135,241, issued on Nov. 20, 2018.
Application 15/052,633 is a continuation of application No. 13/282,037, filed on Oct. 26, 2011, granted, now 9,438,035, issued on Sep. 6, 2016.
Application 13/282,037 is a continuation of application No. 10/556,764, granted, now 8,102,144, issued on Jan. 24, 2012, previously published as PCT/US2004/016668, filed on May 27, 2004.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/473,749, filed on May 28, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2022/0173589 A1, Jun. 2, 2022
Int. Cl. H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H02J 7/14 (2006.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01); H02J 3/38 (2006.01); H02J 1/00 (2006.01); H02M 3/04 (2006.01); H02M 7/44 (2006.01); H02M 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 7/35 (2013.01) [H02J 1/00 (2013.01); H02J 3/388 (2020.01); H02M 3/04 (2013.01); H02M 7/44 (2013.01); H02J 3/38 (2013.01); H02M 1/0077 (2021.05); Y02E 10/56 (2013.01)] 41 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
connecting outputs of a plurality of solar units in series to form a series connection, wherein each of the plurality of solar units comprises:
a solar generator having at least one solar cell to generate electric power, and
a DC/DC converter coupled with the solar generator to receive the electric power generated by the solar generator in entirety and configured to output the electric power through the plurality of solar units connected in series,
wherein the DC/DC converter is configured to employ a switching frequency for transferring electric power from the solar generator;
wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched on, the solar generator is connected in the series connection with the plurality of solar units;
wherein when the DC/DC converter is switched off, the solar generator is electronically disconnected from the series connection;
controlling the DC/DC converter of each of the plurality of solar units to operate a respective solar generator at a maximum power point independent of other solar units of the plurality of solar units that are connected in series; and
coupling a galvanically isolated inverter with the plurality of solar units in series to provide the electric power to a load.