AN3392 datasheet(6/57 Pages) STMICROELECTRONICS

6 / 57 page

Application overview

AN3392

6/57

Doc ID 018749 Rev 1

Application overview

The following diagram shows the typical architecture of a photovoltaic system for a grid

connected application and consists of a photovoltaic field and an electronic section.

Figure 2.

SPV1020 output series connection

The photovoltaic field is made up of PV panels. Some PV panels are connected in series to

make a PV string. Each string is connected in parallel with the others and then connected to

the electronic section of the system, the “inverter”, which has the role of adapting the

produced power to the characteristics of the public electrical grid.

Other electronic components are the bypass diodes and the blocking diodes.

Each bypass diode protects the panel to which it is connected by providing an alternative

path for the current flow generated by other panels. These diodes guarantee both panel

protection and system functionality in case of damaged or shaded panels.

Blocking diodes (or “cut-off” diodes) protect the entire string from current following from

other strings due to a lower voltage of the string, typically caused by shadows on a part of

the string.

AN3392 Datasheet(PDF) 6 Page - STMicroelectronics