Imec Vzw

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Ku Leuven R&d

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Universiteit Hasselt

Maria-Iro Baka

Francky Catthoor

Patrizio Manganiello

A method for generating/updating a database of current-voltage characteristic curves is disclosed. This method includes simulating for at least one combination of a topology of a photovoltaic cell group, an internal cell temperature(s) and a cell irradiation(s), a model of the photovoltaic cell group to provide a representative current-voltage characteristic curve, and clustering the current-voltage characteristic curves to identify at least one plurality of similar current-voltage characteristic curves. The method also includes generating a many-to-one mapping in the database to map query requests corresponding to each of the at least one plurality of similar current-voltage characteristic curves onto a single representative current-voltage characteristic curve for that plurality, each query request identifying a topology of a photovoltaic cell group, at least one internal temperature for the photovoltaic cells in the photovoltaic cell group and at least one cell irradiation for the photovoltaic cells in the photovoltaic cell group.

Simulation of photovoltaic systems

The present disclosure relates to reconfigurable voltaic modules. One example embodiment includes a photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in a grid having logical rows and columns. The photovoltaic module also includes a plurality of non-reconfigurable interconnects electrically interconnecting subsets of the plurality of photovoltaic cells to form a plurality of cell strings. In addition, the photovoltaic module includes a plurality of reconfigurable interconnects. Each cell string includes at least four photovoltaic cells connected in an electrical series from a first cell to a last cell, the first cell and the last cell being located on a same edge of the grid.

Reconfigurable photovoltaic module

A PV module is described with an array of PV cells whereby the module is reconfigurable, allowing different configurations to be applied after installation and during operation, i.e. at run-time. The run time configuration of the module has controllable devices. The main controllable devices are any of (individually or in combination): a) switches which determine the parallel/series connections of the cells as well as hybrid cases also. b) switches between the cells and local dc/dc converters and/or among the DC/DC converters; c) actively controlled bypass diodes placed in order to allow excess current to flow in the occurrence of a mismatch.

Growing community of inventors

Heverlee, Belgium

Maria-Iro Baka