Temperature compensated photovoltaic array
Abstract
A temperature compensated photovoltaic module comprises a series of solar cells having a thermally activated switch connected in parallel with several of the cells. The photovoltaic module is adapted to charge conventional batteries having a temperature coefficient differing from the temperature coefficient of the module. The calibration temperatures of the switches are chosen whereby the colder the ambient temperature for the module, the more switches that are on and form a closed circuit to short the associated solar cells. By shorting some of the solar cells as the ambient temperature decreases, the battery being charged by the module is not excessively overcharged at lower temperatures. PV module is an integrated solution that is reliable and inexpensive. 2 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 563661
- Patent Number(s):
- 5688337
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-565,428
- Assignee:
- Texas Instruments Inc., Dallas, TX (United States)
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 18 Nov 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 14 SOLAR ENERGY; 25 ENERGY STORAGE; SOLAR CELL ARRAYS; BATTERY CHARGERS; ELECTRIC BATTERIES; SWITCHING CIRCUITS; TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE; DESIGN; OPERATION
Citation Formats
Mosher, D M. Temperature compensated photovoltaic array. United States: N. p., 1997.
Web.
Mosher, D M. Temperature compensated photovoltaic array. United States.
Mosher, D M. Tue .
"Temperature compensated photovoltaic array". United States.
@article{osti_563661,
title = {Temperature compensated photovoltaic array},
author = {Mosher, D M},
abstractNote = {A temperature compensated photovoltaic module comprises a series of solar cells having a thermally activated switch connected in parallel with several of the cells. The photovoltaic module is adapted to charge conventional batteries having a temperature coefficient differing from the temperature coefficient of the module. The calibration temperatures of the switches are chosen whereby the colder the ambient temperature for the module, the more switches that are on and form a closed circuit to short the associated solar cells. By shorting some of the solar cells as the ambient temperature decreases, the battery being charged by the module is not excessively overcharged at lower temperatures. PV module is an integrated solution that is reliable and inexpensive. 2 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1997},
month = {11}
}