Increasing PV Panel Energy Output

by Perry Tsao, Renewable Energy Technologist, National Semiconductor, Electronic Design, Mar 31 2009

Focus:
One-hour narrated presentation provides overview of current photovoltaic (PV) technology including PV cells, arrays, and panels; power inverters, and maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The narrator discusses the causes and impact of shading on PV system power output with cases studies to illustrate real-world effects. Narrator explains how distributed MPPT can recover energy that would otherwise be lost due to shading and presents National Semiconductor's implemention of distributed MPPT in its SolarMagic power optimizer. This product, which consists of a dc-dc converter module with MPPT controls, provides MPPT for each panel in a PV panel array. Operation of the SolarMagic power optimizer is explained and its impact on PV panel power output is discussed. Other implementations of distributed MPPT are also briefly discussed.

What you’ll learn:

• How to understand the impact of shading on the power output of photovoltaic systems
• How to increase the power output of photovoltaic systems by applying maximum power point tracking (overview)

Notes:
Webcast presented as part of ED's One Powerful Day event. You must register to view this webcast.

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