An integrated multi-input single-output buck converter for laterally-arrayed multi-bandgap solar cells

Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) systems provides a potentially low-cost and high-efficiency alternative to conventional mono-crystalline Si panel PV systems, and a new CPV system with Laterally-Arrayed Multi-Bandgap (LAMB) cells is introduced. In this thesis, an IC-based Multi-Input Single-Output (MISO) power converter, which serves as the small-footprint and self-powered power management module of the CPV system, is designed and tested. The proposed converter shall efficiently harvest energy from 4 types of solar cells and track the Maximum Power Point (MPP) at the cell-block level. First, the circuit topology, MPP Tracking (MPPT) algorithm, and control mechanism are verified with discrete converters, then a qualitative demonstration is conducted outdoors to show the concept of the entire CPV system with power management. Finally, a first-generation integrated converter, with the passive components, Analog/Digital converters and a MPPT-enabling micro-controller off-chip, is implemented.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Zhang, Haoquan(Electrical and computer science engineer)Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• David J. Perreault.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/121745

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/121745