Dykstra Naval Architects reposted this
Foundation Zero is thrilled to co-present a new research on enhancing photovoltaic panel efficiency in partially shaded conditions, such as on the deck of a sailing yacht. The white paper presents a novel control strategy to manage a two-step MPPT conversion process. The design uses cell string-level converters, which adjust to localised shading conditions to maintain optimal power output, connected to a second isolated converter to step up the voltage for integration into a bipolar DC grid. The use of gallium nitride (GaN) transistors further enhances the system’s efficiency. The experimental results show a significant increase in power generation compared to traditional optimisers, making this a promising solution for the deployment of photovoltaic arrays which may encounter unpredictable partial shading patterns. Foundation Zero remains committed to sharing cutting-edge projects like this, which drive sustainable energy innovation in challenging settings. • Research company: DC Opportunities R&D BV • Marine design partners: Dykstra Naval Architects, Vitters Shipyard and VRIPACK DESIGN Authors: Lukas Irazusta Gorostidi, Jesse Echeverry, Hidde Moens, Bob van Someren and Laurens Mackay #environment #zerocarbonyachting #innovation #technology #alternativeenergy
