INH «) United States «2 Patent Application Publicatic Casey et al. (4) PHOTOVOLTAIC DC~DC MICRO-CONVERTER US 20100001587A1 (10) Pub, No.: US 2010/0001587 A1 (43) Pub, Date: Jan. 7, 2010 i) Inver (75) Inventors: Leo Francis Casey, Lexington, MA ee) (2006.01) (US); Mark George Prestero, HOLL 31042 (2006.01) Dox MA (US Sans Raa Missa CA) (@) use aura 136248 Consponinee Ades WEINGARTES, SCIIURGIN, GAGNEBIN & 67) ABSTRACT LEBOVICILLY Se ee Sym fr Psy ag velo an PY BOSTON, MA #2109 (U5) Sealy. coameted ino sings of PV modules. The yen (3) Amiens: SKTCON TECHNOLOGY inspiral poral stings a seroma per CORPORATION Hovion MA Eentating photovtaic mle tat fom a PY" ana, 0) DICIDC misocoverr that re caplet 8 DC vlgs bus doth outta acorespondig polo a 21) Appl. Nos — 1nM8g 840 tle ths ono ig of phoraie mode, tang or cel errand cat yt The con (22) Filed: Sal. 1, 2009 ‘system i structured and arranged to control and manage each lon Dat Stnngat pinot maes onsets poser Related U.S. Application Data by the photovoltaic power generating system is not affected (() Poison apletion No. 61/138(634, Aldon Ju, by belie modules or stings of photo mules 2008 hte not opting at anima power easfrefinsy a v pv-yconverten | {ATG IVERTER smnisnenie | reer a n ' 2 Z ¢ me FF re0-1100V4e ath va a 744 toca \ Coane 1 PROTECTION, i) 7 reste et cone vmetn aPatent Application Publication Jan. 7, 2010 Sheet 1 of 6 US 2010/0001587 A1 ®@ 18 18 | Z| mopute }* & | mooue "8 SUN A. | 129 16~72 | MODULE | Z| MODULE = wes a ® | mooie] 4g—A | MODULE FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART)D 22 20 22 20 Z MODULE | tL CONVERTER | © © o | MODULE | CONVERTER MPP MPP CONTROLLER CONTROLLER 25 FIG. 2 27 28 GRID [~ 26 woneonqng woeoyddy: usyeg 9507 IONS OTOT‘L “EL TV L8stoo0/0107 Ss.v PV- CONVERTER STRINGS IN PARALLEL DC DISCONNECT 32 28 ' eo 22 i ‘ 3 “A Fea Peep | 100-0 | at 7 1 DC SURGE 1 PROTECTION —— g 25 1 27 CONTROL & | ees eseverare ee Oot OOP?! TE FIG, 3 ‘AC SURGE PROTECTION 1 26 we TO GRID uoneanqng uoneoyddy used 9yog ONS OTOT‘L“UEE TV L8stoo0/0107 Ss.uoneaygng worneayddy juaeg 930 FINS OLOT‘L“UEE Ty L851000/0107 SA.Patent Application Publication Jan. 7,2010 Sheet 5 of 6 US 2010/0001587 A1US 2010/0001587 A1 Jan. 7,2010 Sheet 6 of 6 Patent Application Publication 4 FIG. 5US 2010/0001587 Al PHOTOVOLTAIC DODC ‘MICRO-CONVERTER (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, 001) Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application (61/133,634 fled on Jul. 1, 2008 is elsimed STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY ‘SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 002] Not applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10003] A power converte for use with photovoltaic calls Aisclased, of, mre paiculary, individual DCIDC micro converters for dedicated use wih at least one photovlaic module is cisclosed [0004] As poovolac (PV) solr power istalationscon- tinue to nereasein umber ad in seal, harvesting and mane auing power elfienly has bosome more challenging Equally as challenging is the management of PV” power insalations on national level viaa “smart rid”. In pte Jay, iis desiable © ineease the demand for renevable nora, to supplement andor replace ener proved via fossil fuels. Enhancing PV power use, however, requires redetion inthe production cost pr lott hour and edue- tion in uly transection css for PV interconnections. [0005] Tor telat, traditional PV power generating and contol systems use at least one of eatalizd inves, ipa Jarcenalized inverters, svingiaventer, and micrvineres CConveatonlly, DCLAC iaverers have bown ued to extract smeximum power fom PV systems tht include ays formed ty plaza PV modules connected in series and paclleleon- figurations and to conver the unregulated generated DC power to grdvologe, syshroized AC power. The AC power generated can he transmitted and distbuted either direely © AC loads of though distribution transfomes “According to this waitional approach, low-volage DC power tansfer concems and simplicity of power conversion Cptons nccesilate configing the PV modules in secial strings andor in parallel string arrays, However, the delete Fou fet of shading, soiling and othe lighting degrada tion on individual PV modules apd, hence, PV meu hae acteristics matching require prestr consideration {0006} Referring to FIG. 1, fora photovoltaic aay 19 to achiev is highest enowy ye and greatest elliincy, cur rent proctice inciodes carly matching the electicalcar- acteristics of each PV mele 15 in each sere-comnocted String 12andof each parle-connocted 4 strings. Matching creates considerable aborand expense during manufacture at the fciory. More problematical, evenif PV modes 18 are ideally matched atthe ime of manufactur, single PV module 18 in any string 12 can quickly degrade the pecfor ance, ie, DC output, of the entre PV aay 10. Indeed, cocrasing the cunento voltage output fom a single ‘module 15 degndes the ouput of the entire sting 12 of series-connccted PV modules 15, which has 2 multiplied effet on the performance ofthe entice PV’ array 10. This is specially tre when direct sunlight i Blocked fom all or same portion of one of more of the PV modules 18 {0007} For example, if the amount or intensity of sunlight striking discrete PV mosiule 8 isblocked,frexample, due to shading, eg. fom clouds, vegetation, man-made sie Jan. 7, 2010 tures, accumulated moisture, andthe lke, or due fo soiling, i.e, contamination with sil or other organic or nononganic smaiter, then even ideally matched PV modules 18 perform poorly: Moreover, the affected PV module(s) 18 may suffer from excessive heating. [0008] _ When contralized inverters 13 are used output from plural PY modules 18 that are strctured and arranged in strings 12 of parallel rows 14 of stiags 12 is combined and processed. Pawer optimization snd conditioning is, conse ‘quently, performed onthe combined DC inp 10009] "Advantageously, these systems are highly evolved and reliable and, moreover, they Fcilitate centralized com- ‘munication co]-and management through the centralized inverter 13. Disadvantageousy, there is no PV string level ‘management or coatrol, Hence, overall ara performance is still adversely alfected by underperforming individual Strings. Indeed, panel mismatch resulting from, inter aia, shading, soiling, and the like, reduces eficiency. [010] Traditionally, bypass diodes 16 and blocking diodes 18 are adapted to deal with the variability (matching) of sree, individual PV modules 1S aad with sols irradiance ‘More specifically o minimize degradation of the total DC ‘output of the aay 10 that may result from mismatch or dilereaces inthe voltage or cuerent outputs of diserete PV ‘modules 18, bypass diodes 16 canbe inteprated with each PV ‘module 18. When forward biased, the bypass diodes 16 pro- vide naltenate cueent path around an underperforming PV ‘module 18. Bypassing the underperforming PY module 15, ensures thatthe string’s 12 voltage and current outputs arenot limited by the vollage and curent output of the underper- forming PV module 18, Disadvantageously, bypassing the ‘undenperforming PV module 15 reduces the string’s 12 volt- age output by, effectively, taking the underperforming, PV smodule 18 of-ine, [W011] Similarly. blocking diodes 18 canbe integrated with sitings of teries-connected PV modules 12a the PV ary 10 ‘When the total voltage output from a string of seres-con- ected PV modules 12 exceeds a biasing voltage associated ‘with he blocking diode 18, the DC voltage output is fed onto the DC bus for transmission tothe inverter 13, Hovkever, ifthe {otal voltage output from the string of series-connected PV ‘modules 12s less than he biasing voliage associated withthe blocking diode 18, then the blocking diode 18 i nt forward biased and, hence, voltage output from the string 12 is blocked from going the DC bus. [0012] Bi-polar centralized inverters are slightly mor elle cient than uni-polar centralized inverters. Advantageously -polar applications tend wbe cheaper, ighterin weigh, and donot suffer from tansformee loses, simply because hey do ‘ot include a transformer. Disidvantageously, as with cen- tralzed inverters, there isno PV string level management or ‘contro, which, along with parallel processing and pane mis ‘match, reduces efficiency. Bias voltages may also be intco- -US 2010/0001587 Al inverters” wll refer to inverters that perform a DC to AC power comersion and “micro-comerters” ntoduced ‘iow willefertocoavenerstitperiorma DCW DC power (0014) Micro-imerersareadapted reducemismathand cxer losses by comerting DC power to AC power lal eg ateach PV module 18 orcellandlorat every PV string 12 inthe PV array 10, which aitates sting devel management Miero-inserts have proven effective fr smal systems tht ‘el higher total ilowat hous (AWh)-Dsabantapeonsly, ‘nier-averter involve complex elecrnics that my require sophisticated cooling, Moreover, large-scale applications ray require servicing and muotaining hundreds not thousands—of units Which have not yet been engineered to operate dependably for 20 years or mre {0015]_ Mali-phase AC systems also ned to be configured from single phase unis, requzing apropiate wansfomner step-up to uilization andor to distribution vltges. More- «ver although generating single phase AC power, the micro- inverter has double line frequency enor storage require ‘ments. This generally eases eihera significa pplecumeat through the PV’ module 18—which reiuces_yield—or requires ulation of electrolytic capacitors. Blectolytic capaciton, however, ae uaeable an the acknowledged “Achilles bel” any power conversion system that utlizes tem {0016} Furthermore, integrating energy stomge into a PV array 10 with mieoinverers is ao saightforvard. For txample, because the DC node is internal to each of the iero-inverter, each energy storge stem reuires ad crete, deicstd micr-inverer. The issve of aid interaction and contol ean be daunting with so many devices in parallel {0017} Curren practice needs with micro-inverters also ‘nclude addtional electonis, which nomully are oeated in a hotenvronment, which iso say, on the reverse side (back) ofthe PV nodule 8, Theambea' eniconmentontheickot PV module 15 ist particularly conducive to long lite of tne eleetonis, having an operating range as high as 80" C [W018] The challenges facing DC to DC micro-converter applications include achieving a highly reliable, lower Stalled cost por Watt system that peovides increased kWh ‘elds. Such ystems should provide centralized snd de-cen- {ralized monitoringandcontrol features shoud include eec- tronics that canbe controled focally oF remotely, to eat 0 ‘variable array and grid conditions; and that ean be easily integrated wih commercial or wlity sid [0019] US. Pat No. 6,127,621 w Sinbuer discloses « power sper fra spining velit that purport it ‘izes mismatch loses on the soae cll by providing inc Vil DCIDC “regulators” foreach nvidual slar cell to regulate the power delivered to a lad. U.S. Pat No. 6,966, 184 © Toyomur, etal discloses @ PV power-generating apparatus having power conversion deviesindivkualy eon nected to solar cel lemons to conver the outpat of the cements. The plural DC/DC coaverters are connected in orale nd are operated so that changes i the apt voltage toaDC/ACimerter move the operating pont ofthe solar eel clement, which changes the apt voltage tothe DCIDC eon- ‘ert. in this mans iat volte tothe DCIAC inverter from each converter is cntoled 1 be he same [0020] USS. Pat. No. 7.193.872 wo Sic discloses a power supply having an inverter for connecting plural DC power sources faulty grid using a single DCIDC conversion Stage. The Si system purports To onto! curent bated 0 Jan. 7, 2010 feod-forward compensation as some function of an input povver commanding voltage (Vzy,). More specially, the current and voltage from a solar array are sampled from ‘which the input power commanding Voltage is ouput. ccurrent reference generator generates a reference current (er) which i the product ofthe input poser commanding vollage, an instantaneous uiliy line voltage, andthe inverted. square of the Vy signal [0021] A photovoltaic power system that includes plural photovoltaic strings or an array’ of power-generating poto- voltae modules and a contoller therefor that provide PV string level conto, to regulate and stabilize output wlageot cach PV string individually, to harvest greater energy and increase kWh produced i desirable 0022] Means for integrating replacement modules into a PY amay without having io match the eletrical properties of the replacement maduletothoseofthe modules already inthe nay is also very desirable, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [W023] 4 photovoltaic power generating syst is di closed. The system comprises 8 sng oF aay of power acnraing photoolse madly; plait of mier-oon- ‘eres, eich of which i enupe to a DC vollage huss ado the ouput ofa dscretephotvok module ofthe sing or aay poner generating photovoltaic modules anda ting inverter hat sso ane arangd to povide AC power to. gid: or equaenl gating DODC conver hat is Coupled to. high voltage DC bas for instil DC power supply aplication, eg, DC power suples forchloralkal rcopperwinding eeetochemial pocesees. [0024] The photowhuie power system is statue and amanged to maximize design flexibility, which leads to hanced longevity. For example, diferent panel tino te, vintages, sizes, monn, nd manufatring bran can be incorporated ino the smears, wich can be efielly contolled bythe disclosed ienton The range of power rings forihedinlosed systems between SOW ant MW {W25] Managerial beasts inlide increased visibly ‘ich includes indepth diggostic and perfomance in Talon, enabling the Condons of PV sings anor core Sponeing DCIDC converter to be monitors remotely. As consequence, poor perfoming_ or malfunctioning PV Stings or PV stings ving pound fat on be sy ta cally isolated witht iterapting throughput fom the reaming PV stings, [W026] From a performance standpoint, both cacy” throught and tam on investment (ROD can be ners sigan Inde, limiting loses that cerise would eer when cups fa PV sting in pall are combined an proces eles te cost per kWh through the ifespan ofthe PV army. An increase in output of batwewn 5 and 20 percents pede, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL, VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS, 027] The iaveation will be sore fully understood by referring tothe Detailed Description ofthe Invention in con- junction withthe Drawings, of which: [0028] FIG. 1 shows an aay of series. and paralle-con- nected photovoltaic power modules acconlingto theprieart,US 2010/0001587 Al [0029] FIG. 2 shows an aray of series. and paralle-con- pected strings of photovoltaic power modules with micro ‘converters aeconing to the preseat invention [0030] _FIG. 3 shows a gating inverter in combination with aDC/DCphotowltaiesystem according to the present inven tion [0031] FIGS, 4A-4C show an isometric view of DCDC photovolaic system (4A) and insets showing coupling of plural PV strings tothe mice>-converter (43) and coupling of plural micro-converers to 8 local controller (4C) within a string combiner according to the present invention and 0032] FIG. § shows representative cureat-voltage curves for three PV strings of PV modules. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0033]. Referring to FIGS, 25 a photovoltaic (PV) system ‘controled athe siing-level by plural DCD miero-convert- cers will now be described, The PV system 29 and, more specifically, the control system 21 forthe PV system 29 is structured and arranged to extract maximum individual string power (hereinafter, the “Maximum Power Point” or “MPP") from each of the PV modules 22 in cach sting of serial- ‘connected PV modules 25 that make up the power-generating portion ofthe PV systom 29. 034] The desirability of sting-evel contol i shown illuseatively in FIG. §, which shows curen-volage curves 52, 54, and 56 for three disree strings of PV modules. Fach ofthe curves 52, 84, and 86 includes an MPP 8 at some location on the curves, The MPP 88 refers to the point of ‘maximum power for an entre string 25 of PV modules 22. [0035] Because of expected mismatch between PV strings 28, the coresponiing MPPs 85 foreach string 28 oceur or ‘may oecurat diferent curens andlor at different voltages for cach PV string 25. As result, the controller 21 is adapted to regulate and to stabilize omput voltage from each PY string 28 at cach MPP 55, to harvest greater energy and increase Wh produced. [0036] Were the controler 24 instead, adapted to regulate ‘output curent or output voltage usinga fixed, predetermined vollage ofa fixed, predetermined current, which is shown illustatively in FIG. 8 a cureat I, and voltage V,, the MPP 855 for each PV string 28 may’ be missed, which means less ‘energy and fever kWh peoiced, ‘The PV System [0037] The PV system 29includes a power-generating pore ‘ion, a power contol und distibution portion, and the afore- ‘mentioned contro system. Inthe discussion below, those of ‘ordinary sil nthe art can appreciate that elements described as structure fr the power-generating portion could, insted, ‘be included as elements forthe poster catroland dstbution portion orth contolsystem, and vice vers, Forexample, the MPP controller 21, the contol unit 24 fr the gating inverter 28, and the central or micro-arid controller M, which are described below at separate and dstnet elements of the power-generating portion, the power contol and distribution portion, an the contol system, respectively, could, instead, ‘be inclided as elementsin a single contol siwcture Tor exer- cising control overall aspects and operation ofthe PV system », [0038] In general terms, referring to FIG, 2, the power- ‘aenerating portion ofthe PV system 29 includes plural par- alle-connected PV strings 25 of PV modules 22 that collec- Jan. 7, 2010 tively forma PV aray: PV modules 22 are wellknown othe ‘ar an will not be deseribed in detail. The PV aay corte sponds to mule PV strings 25 that are electrically disposed. ‘in parallel so thatthe output of each PV module 2 and each PV string 25 is delivered to a common buss. The power control and distribution portion ineludesplural DC/DC power converters 25 each having 2 local MPP controller 24, and a larg, distribution substation-clss,grd-connected (gating) inverter 28 having a control unit 24 [0039] The PV system 29, and, more particularly, the eon- ‘gol system is structured and arranged to ensue tat any PV ‘module(s)22 that becomes) shaded frm direct sunlight that ‘become(s) contaminated with dict or grime, andor that are otherwise covered withor by some foreign matter onal or on any portion ofthe PV modul(s) 22 does nt cause an entire PV string2S ofthe PV array or multplestrings2Sin he array, to operate at less than maximum power transfer efficiency, i.e outside of MPP. in shor, rather thanallowinga single PV module 22 or a few affected PV modules 22 to diminish powver generation of the entie PV aay the conta system is sinictured and arranged to temporarily preven the affected PV modules) 22 fom delivering powerto he voltage buss 27 ‘until such time as the cause of the afectaton has been eor- rected [0040] Referring to FIG. 2, a serial PV string 25 having plural PV modules 22 that are electrically disposed in parallel fs shown, Advantagoousy, a dedicated power convertor 20, (hereinafier “micro converter’ is coupled to the output of eel PV modile 22 andlor to each PV sting 28 of PY mod ‘ules 22, The micto-converter 20 can be physically movated ‘onthe everse side (back) ofthe dserete PV moslle 22 that it controls. Alteratively, as shown in FIG. 48-4C, discrete ‘micro-convertrs 20 that are electrically coupled to eoare- spon PV modules 22 or PV stings 28 of PV modules 22, ean he centralized in a control box 38, sucha the Soltis™ system manufactured by Satoon Technology Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts. The Sateon contol box 38 sanaturl replacement for combiner boxes or “smart” combiner boxe, ‘which are in common use in popular PV systems toy. [0041] The miceo-converters 20 are adapted to receive the input from that PV module 22 andor from an entire string 25. ‘of PV modikes 22. More specifically, each miero-converter 20is adapted to receive electrical operating parameters, ‘enminal current, terminal voltae, power and the ik, froma corresponding PV module 22 andor from an entre sting 25. ‘of PV modules 22. Optionally or alternatively, the micro= ‘converter 20 can also be adapted to receive thera operating parameters from the associated PV module 22. Bach micro converter 20 is adapted to communicate these operating prance othe control unit 24 ofthe gating inverter 28 or converter) andor to a remote, central controller 34, The ‘means of communicating such data can inelude using pow= eine carrier communication, a wireless coanection, ad so forth, [0042] Thiscommuniations capability allows each micro- converter 20 to sense a curent level andlor voltage level ‘generated by each PV module 22 andlor sting 25 of PV ‘modules 22 and to communicate with the control unit 24 of the gating inverter 28 andor to communicate remotely with, the central controller 34, 10 provide PV module 22 status signals, Asa result, the contol unit 24 ofthe gating inverter 28 andor the remote central controller 34 can communicate ‘with an associated Energy Management System or uty orUS 2010/0001587 Al merogrid eystem controller to provide fine-grained infoma- ‘ionon te performance ofthe PV modules 2, the PV stings 25, and the entire PV array. [0043] The topology of the micro-coaverter 20¢aa include (far example and no forthe purposes o imitation): an inter- leaved boost converter, an interleaved flyback converter, an interleaved forward converter. aa -bridge conver aenulti= sage coaverter, isolated converters, aon-jsolated converters, and the lke. To allow ar circulation and convectional cool. ing, the micro-coaverter 20 can stand off the back of the corresponding PV module 22 if loated atthe module 22 [0044] Advantageously, when miero-converters 20 are di posed on the back othe PV module 22 itself orare contained ina tring combiner38(FIG. 4A andEIG. 4B) energy storage atthe PV module 22 is not necessary Instead, the energy or power generated by each individual PV module 22 and each DY string 28 i introduced to and collected on a high voltage DC (HVDC) buss 27. Because the HVDC buss 27 carries higher voltage, the associated currents are relatively low, ‘which reduces conduction losses. Manuaeturin cost asso- ciatod with conductive materials are also reduced. Witin the limitations ofthe regulatory environment, eg, UL orCE, the higher the voltage, the more compact and evonomic the sys tem. [0$5] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the HVDC buss 27 isclectically coupled toa large distribution substation-class, arid-connected (gating) inverter 28, the output of which is delivered toa commercial yrid, oa ullity grid 26 andlor toa Focal AC load. The gating inverter 28 includes an optional energy storage device 23 anda control uit 24, which can be organic tothe inverter 28 or (as shown in FIG. 4C) can be electrically couples to local MPP controller 24 that sare disposed proximate tothe miero-convertrs 20 [0046] DC storage of power is easily integrated with this approach and will pent diferent sizings of PV modules 22, PY strings 25, and gating inverters 28 so that he ray sizing can be infinitely fine-grained without requiring peak power capability to be matched by the gating inverter 28, Elimina- tion ofthe nod for energy’ storage a or near each individual PY module 22 (such asthe double frequency requirement of the microinverter) and integrating an energy storage device 23 withthe gating inverter 28, eliminates one ofthe biggest problems of miero-inverter-based or micro-converer-based systems [0047] Energy storage is easily inteprated using, for ‘exaaiple, bi-directional coaverters operating from the HVDC buss 27 andlor “AC storage” 28 coupled atthe ouput stage “AC storage” 23 refers toa battery or other DC energy storage device in combination with «separate DCIAC inverter. 1 dition to readily accommodating enemy storage this archi tweture is also amenable to supplying relatively large DC Toadsandoe AC loads locally, such for facility AC Toads or industrial DC Fighting, and also compatible with modern ‘micro-gridinfratructires where applicable, The industrial DC buss canbe fd directly by the repulsed de bass ofthis micro-converter architecture. [0048] Referring to FIG. 3, at the inpot stage ofthe gating inverter 28, a switching system 32 controls application of powver generated by the PV array to the gating inverter 28. DC powersurgeprotctor 3 is coupled tothe HVDC buss 27 ator proximate to the switching system 32, At the output sage, to guard against AC back. feed from the commercial! Jan. 7, 2010 uility grid 26, an AC surge protector 3 is provided. The AC surge protector 33 can include rectifier diodes that serve as blocking diodes. [0049] "A commercal- or ulty-scale grid 26 can generste Standard voltages (480V or 600) directly from the HVDC buss 27 without a transformer. Accordingly, optionally, the PV system 20 would not require a 60-Hz transformer, which is to say thatthe gating inverter 28 can be transformer les, [0050] - Recalling that each mivo-converter 20s adapted provide operational data... current voltage, power. andthe Tike, and, optionally, other data, eg, temperature andthe ike, about is corresponding PV modle(s} 2, the local MPP ‘controller 21 and the control unit 24 ofthe gating inverter 28. fare adapted to provide such operational data fo a remote central controller 34, Awareness ofeach PV modiles’ oper- ‘ting parameters allows the cetral controller 34 to adjust the paranieters ofthe boost circuit ofthe miero-converters 200 ‘maintain the chosen output voltage, or to disconnect select PV modules 22 orstrings 25 fom the PV array when adsited ‘output cannot be maintained dve to degradation of output Advantageously, the ability to isolate or remove affected, low-output PV modules 22 o strings 25 prevents degrading the efficiency ofthe ene PV array. [0051] The MPP controller 21, ie, the ultatoeal eontol- ler within the micro-converter 20, and the control unit 24 coupled to the gating inverter 28 constitute components of central contol system, which can include hardware and soft- ‘ware applications. The contol system is adapted to extract [MPP from each individual PV module 22 and from each string 25; to selectively use all or less than all ofthe PV modules 22 or stings 25 at any given time for power genera- tion; to instrument each PV module 22 for power, voltage, current, temperature, and other characteristics to achieve (MPP, and to integrate energy storage filly. These epplica- tions and more can be accomplished by the MPP controller 21, by the contol unit24, and bythe remote central controller M [0052] The central controller 34 ean also be coupled to the Tntemet to provide for Web-based monitoring using, for ‘example Web-based management tools suchas PV ZONE" and PV VIEW, which are provided by Saton Technology Corporation. PV VIEW? isa Web-enabled data monitoring system that is adpted to monitor power inverters. PV ZONE™ is a Web-based sub-eray monitoring program that ‘monitors solar radiation, module temperature, ambien tem- perature, wind specd, wind direction, and the ike [033] "By coanecting an inpuv output device tothe Internet via a local area net (LAN), wide area net (WAN), cellular ‘modem, andthe like, the PV system 29 can provide complete realtime perfomance data of each miero inch (2 mm) in diameter except when ‘mechanical reasons dicate using alargerbus at. Ascuent magnitudes increase, which is cerialy the casein age commerval PV systems, and Fine feqieney remains ree tively low (0H), wine adi lrgr than "ofan inch (8 sm) coud be used to advantage reduce conduction loses ‘With skin depth ia copper of 6 im, and askin dep in huminom of approximately 8 mm, ther is itl value in ‘sig conductor cables tht are more han och in diameter. {0059} The ial points of comparison between mic ‘verte nd mcr-comverter approaches lates tothe redced levies and dramatic redetion in energy storage require ‘ents fr the micr-convertr. The reguiement for double line frequency enegy storage and location ofthe micro daverterproxinutet the module mean that even welll, inal reliable nts are isle ose from wear and ear after several years have passed de the use of eectuytic capaci. {0060] _ Many changesin he details, materials and arange- spent of porta steps, erin describe an ustate, can be made by those skilled inthe art in Tight of teachings conics leeinabove, Accordingly, it willbe understood thatthe following clams ae not abe Hinited to the embod Jan. 7, 2010 ‘ments disclosed hersin and can inch practices other than those specifically described, and are to be interpreted as ‘boodly as allowed uder the lw. ‘What is claimed is: 1.A photovolaie power generating system comprising power-generating portion including plural paralleled Strings of power-generating photovoltaic modules, \which ae stinged in series, tha form an array, each of the strings and each ofthe modules having an output; 1 plurality of DCIDC miero-coaverters, each of said plu rity of miero-converters being couplod o a regulated DC voltage buss and tothe output ofa discret, come- sponding photovoltaic module oto the outputs of & photovoliaic module’ strings ‘gating inverter thas coupledto the regulated DC voltage bssand hat sstrcturedandarrangedto provide power ‘oan AC grid orto an AC load over the grid and ‘contol system thats structured and aranged w contol ‘and manage each serial string of photovoltaic modules, ‘weasue that power delivered by the photovoltaic power generating system is nt affected by photovoltaic mod- lesor serial strings of photovoltaic moles that arenot ‘operating at maximum power elficieny. 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each ofthe plurality of DC/DC miero-converters i adapted to commu nicate performance data and operating parameters selected from the group consisting ofteminal curent level, teins voltage level, power parameters, sting ground faults, and thermal operating parameters to coatroller, 3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the controller is adapted to provide finerained data on performance of discrete photovoltaic modules, serial strings of photovoltaic ‘modules or any portion of the array of power-generating photovoltaic modules 4, The system as rete in claim 2, wherein communica ‘ion to the controllers viaa wireless Connection ora power- Tine carrer connection. $5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the controller {sa control unit coresponding to the gating inverter or a portion ofthe contol system, 6. The systom as rocited in claim 1, wherein each ofthe plurality of DC/DC micro-converters i disposed ina sting combiner 7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the gating ‘verter includes conrol unit anda least one energy storage device. 8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the contol system is adapted to adjust gating signals to each of the micro-converers to maintain a desired output voliage. 9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the contol system is adapted to adjust gating signals to each of the :micro-converters to boost output of an affected, low-output photovoltaic module or string of affected, -output pio voltaic modules, o within a capability range of the DC/DC micro-converter of to isolate or remove an affected, low- ‘output photovoltaic module or string of affected, low-outpot ‘photovoltaic modules, to prevent degradation of the aay. 10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein te gating inverter inelndes a contol unit that is adapted to: receive data fom each ofthe plurality of microcontrollers about eacl of said plurality of micro-controllrs and shout thei comesponding photovoltaic module:US 2010/0001587 Al control which ofthe comesponding photovoltsie modules ‘and miero-controllers provide power tothe voltage buss; and control an amount of power fom specifie photovoltaic ‘modules and their miero-contoller individually 11. A control system fora photovoltaic power generating system that includes a power-generating portion including plural serial strings of power-generating photovolaie mod ‘ules that form an array each ofthe serial strings and each of the modules having an output, phrality of DCIDC micro converters, each of sad plurality of miero-convertes boing coupled 10 a voltage buss and tothe output ofa discrete, corresponding photovoltaic module of to the outputs of & serial string of photovoltaic modules, a gating inverter thats coupledto the Volage buss and thats stucturedand arranged to provide power ow grr toa DC load, the control system, being structured and arranged to contro! and manage each serial string of photovoliie modules, to ensure that power elivered by the photovoliaie power generating system is not alfected by photovoltaic modules or serial strings of photo- voltae modules that are not operating at maximum power eficiency 12. The control system as recited in claim 11, wherein the control system is adapted to receive performance data and ‘operating parameters selected from the group consisting of terminal current level, temninal voltage level, power param cers, and thermal operating parameters frm each of the plunity of DCIDC miew-coavertes 13. The contol system as recited in claim 12, wherein the control system is adapted to provide fine-grained data on performance of discrete photovoltaic modules, serial stings Jan. 7, 2010 ‘of photovoltaic modules or any portion ofthe aay of power ‘generating photovoltaic modules, 14, The control system as recited in elim 12, wherein ‘communication between the control system and each of the plunlity of DC/DC miero-couverters is via wireless con ‘ection or & powerline cartier connection, 18. The conlrol system a recited in claim 11 further adapted to adjust gating signal to each othe miero-convert- rs to maintain a desired output voltage. 16. The control system a recited in claim 11 further adapted toast gating signa to each othe mieo-convert- ero isolate or remove an affected, low-cutput photovoltaic ‘module of strng of affected, low-cutput photovoltaic mod ‘ules, to prevent degradation ofthe ary 17. The control system as recited ia claim 11 further adapted receive data fom each ofthe plurality ofmier-contrllers ‘bout each of said plurality of miro-coatrllrs'coere- sponding photovoltaic module; and control which ofthe corresponding photovoltaic modules provide power to the voltage buss, 18, The contol system as recited in claim 11, wherein the control system is coupledtoa Web-base or a non- Web-based ‘monitoring and management system for remotely monitoring ‘and coatrlling the plurality of miro-coavertrs 19. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the contol system is coupled o a Web-base or a nan-Web-hased moni toring and management system for remotely monitoring nd ‘controlling the plurality of miro-coavertrs.