Abstract: A maximum power point tracking charge controller for photovoltaic systems includes a buck converter for receiving the maximum power voltage from a PV array as input and for supplying voltage output to charge a battery bank while converting the voltage input to a voltage output that matches the voltage required by the battery bank for charging. The buck converter includes an inductor, a first switch, and a second switch comprised of a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET connected in series with a parallel diode, wherein the configuration of the second MOSFET is reversed from the configuration of the first MOSFET.

Abstract: A maximum power point tracking charge controller for photovoltaic systems includes a buck converter for receiving the maximum power voltage from a PV array as input and for supplying voltage output to charge a battery bank while converting the voltage input to a voltage output that matches the voltage required by the battery bank for charging. The buck converter includes an inductor, a first switch, and a second switch comprised of a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET connected in series with a parallel diode, wherein the configuration of the second MOSFET is reversed from the configuration of the first MOSFET.

Abstract: A maximum power point tracking charge controller for photovoltaic systems tracks the maximum power point voltage of a PV array, and employs a coupled inductor multi-phase buck converter for converting the maximum power voltage to the voltage required to charge one or more batteries. The phase configurations are phase shifted from one another. One of the phase configurations is intentionally temporarily shut down when the output power is low. A first switch or a second switch of the phase configuration that is shut down is turned on to conduct electrical current when predetermined conditions are satisfied. A method of controlling battery charging in a photovoltaic system involves operating a coupled inductor multi-phase buck converter so that one of the phase configurations is intentionally temporarily shut down when the power output is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A high voltage maximum power point tracking bidirectional charge controller for photovoltaic (PV) systems having a high voltage PV array, a battery bank and a high voltage DC load comprises a DC to DC converter electrically connectable to the high voltage PV array, the battery bank, and the high voltage DC load. The converter receives DC input from the PV array and operates in a first direction to step-down the voltage of the DC input to obtain a stepped-down DC output of appropriate voltage to charge the battery bank. The converter receives DC input from the battery bank and operates in a second direction to step-up the voltage of the DC input received from the battery bank to obtain a stepped-up DC output of appropriate voltage for the high voltage DC load.

Abstract: A maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller for photovoltaic (PV) systems employs a maximum power point tracking algorithm for tracking the maximum power point voltage of a PV array at which the PV array produces maximum power voltage, and a buck converter for converting the maximum power voltage to the voltage required to charge one or more batteries. The buck converter includes multiple buck converter phase configurations phase shifted from one another. Each of the buck converter phase configurations has a phase inductor, and the phase inductors are combined on a single core to form a coupled inductor. One of the buck converter phase configurations is intentionally temporarily shut down when the output power is low. A first switch or a second switch of the buck converter phase configuration that is intentionally temporarily shut down is turned on to conduct electrical current when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A grid-connected power system includes a primary power source, a back-up power source, a DC/AC inverter and a DC/DC converter. Direct current from the primary power source is supplied to the DC/AC inverter to obtain an alternating current output supplied to a utility grid when power from the utility grid is available to power a load. The output of the inverter is supplied to a selected portion of the load when power from the utility grid is unavailable to the load. Direct current from the back-up power source is supplied to the inverter through a DC/DC converter when power from the utility grid is unavailable to the load. The DC/DC converter converts the voltage of direct current from the back-up power source to direct current having a voltage compatible with the voltage of the primary power source and the inverter. The back-up power source may be charged by the primary power source or by the utility grid.