Application overview

AN3319

4/25

DocID18265 Rev 8

1

Application overview

Figure 1 shows the typical architecture of a boost converter based solar battery charger:

Figure 1. Boost application schematic

The SPV1040 adapts the characteristics of load to those of panel. In fact, a PV panel is

made up of a series of PV cells. Each PV cell provides voltage and current which depend on

the PV cell size, on its technology, and on the light irradiation power. The main electrical

parameters of a PV panel (typically provided at light irradiation of 1000 W/m

2

, T

amb

=25 °C)

are:

•

V

OC

(open circuit voltage)

•

V

MP

(voltage at maximum power point)

•

I

SC

(short-circuit current)

•

I

MP

(current at maximum power point)

Figure 2 shows the typical characteristics of a PV cell:

Figure 2. PV cell curve

MPP (maximum power point) is the working point of the PV cell at which the product of the

extracted voltage and current provides the maximum power.