Switch for the Optimization of Module Power by Reconfiguration of All Strings (SOMBRA): An Insulated Integrated Switch for a Reconfigurable Solar Panel

Pieter Bauwens and Jan Doutreloigne
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Pieter Bauwens: CMST–ELIS, imec and Ghent University, Tech Lane Ghent Science Park—Campus A 126, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
Jan Doutreloigne: CMST–ELIS, imec and Ghent University, Tech Lane Ghent Science Park—Campus A 126, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: The energy yield of a solar panel can be severely impacted by partial shading. Shade caused by nearby static objects can hardly be avoided in installations such as building-applied or building-integrated photovoltaics. Smart reconfigurable photovoltaics (PV) panels are able to change their intra-module configuration to reduce this impact: small substrings can be rewired to be connected in a more optimal configuration. To achieve this, a reconfiguration switch needs to be designed. In this paper a switch for the optimization of module power by reconfiguration of all strings (SOMBRA), a smart switch, is presented. SOMBRA is a fully integrated, low-ohmic switch, designed for currents up to 10 A. It is fully floating up to 50 V, while still being able to communicate with a central unit as an inter-integrated circuit (I 2 C) slave. Two versions were realized, SOMBRA-LV10 for low voltages (LV) and a load current of 10 A, and SOMBRA-HV05 for high voltages (HV) and a load current of 5 A. Measurements proved these devices to be functional, measuring an on-resistance of 1.3 m Ω for SOMBRA-LV10 and 7.3 m Ω for SOMBRA-HV05. This paper will elaborate on the operation, design, and implementation of SOMRBA, as well as the first tests with a small reconfigurable PV module.

Keywords: photovoltaic power; power loss; partial shading; power optimization; panel reconfiguration; smart switch (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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