Project

MASTEEC

The non-linearity characteristic of the I-V (current-voltage) curve in photovoltaic panels enables the existence of a unique Voltage value (Vopt) for which the electric power delivered by the photovoltaic panel is maximum (Pmax). As a result, prior to DC/AC conversion in the solar inverters, a DC/DC voltage conversion takes please in search of such optimum voltage. This task is performed by the so-called Maximum Power Point Tracking systems (MPPT).

Current MPPTs account with performance limitations that limit the overall efficiency of the solar plant. In summary this is so, because its algorithms search for the Vopt within a theoretical I-V curve intrinsic to the solar panel and provided by the manufacturer. However, this curve that determines the Vopt, changes instantly and continuously under insolation and temperature changes as well as partial shading conditions. Tracking in real time the Vopt, enables increasing the overall solar plant efficiency up to 10%, improving as well its economic performance

MASTEEC will be the first commercially available MPPTs whose processing algorithms in search for the Pmax will be based on empirical data in real time, facing temperature, insolation and partial shading changes, enabling an unparalleled tracking efficiency under changing weather conditions. This is achieved by means of our in-house developed low-cost sensor (enabling marketability) and two Artificial Neural Networks in charge of processing the real-time inputs obtained by MASTEEC sensor.

Our solution is perfectly suitable to the midscale solar plants, also called commercial and industrial segment, since rooftop surfaces of these premises are aligned with the installed capacity and number of panels (10kW-1000kW or 20 to 2000 panels approx).

Solar inverter manufacturers will be our customers since they embed the MPPTs within its circuitry to reach Vopt prior to the DC/AC conversion that takes place in them.