Design and fabrication of a prototype 1/2 kW smart array controller

Battery based photovoltaic power systems normally require provision for means to control their state-of-charge using an electronic charge control regulator element. Present commercial regulator designs are inherently incapable of accepting or converting array power from voltages beneficially greater than battery voltages, and thus impose limitations in array power utilization. Charge control accuracy and precision, and prevent designers from lowering system conduction losses. This paper describes how a new element, created to address these and other drawbacks, was designed and fabricated