Bypass-diode replacement shuts down solar-panel hot spots

摘要

Solar panels usually find use in multiple-unit configurations-whether on residential rooftops with a dozen panels or a utility solar farm with thousands of panels. These arrays need protection from panel failures or shading; otherwise, 8 to 12A in a string of panels has nowhere to go.rnPanels traditionally rely on a simple bypass diode to shunt current around a failed panel. STMicroelectronics has introduced a more sophisticated controller-switch SIP (system in package), which replaces the bypass diode with a more intelligent device. The SPV1001 contains a low-loss power switch and a precision controller and eliminates almost all ofrnThe SPV1001 contains a low-loss power switch and a precision controller and eliminates almost ail of the energy each diode loses when the panel is producing energy and the diode is in its off state.