40
Operation
4.2 TrakStar
TM
MPPT Technology
The TS-MPPT-600V-TR utilizes Morningstar’s TrakStar
TM
Maximum Power Point Tracking
(MPPT) technology to extract maximum power from high voltage solar arrays commonly used in
grid-tie applications. The tracking algorithm is fully automatic and does not require user adjust-
ment. TrakStar
TM
technology tracks an array’s
maximum power point
as it varies with weather
conditions, ensuring that maximum power is harvested throughout the course of the day.
Power Conversion
The power into the TS-MPPT-600V-TR is the same as the power out of the TS-MPPT-600V-TR.
A system may have 5 amps of solar current flowing into the TS-MPPT-600V-TR
and 50 amps of
charge current flowing out to the battery. Since power is the product of voltage and current (Volts
x Amps), the following is true*:
(1) Power Into the
TS-MPPT-600V-TR
= Power Out of the
TS-MPPT-600V-TR
(2) Volts In x Amps In = Volts Out x Amps Out
* assuming 100% efficiency -- wiring and conversion losses neglected.
If the solar module’s
maximum power voltage
(V
mp
) is greater than the battery voltage, it follows
that the battery current must be proportionally greater than the solar input current so that input
and output power are balanced. The greater the difference between the V
mp
and battery voltage,
the greater the current “boost”. Current boost can be substantial in systems where the solar array
is of a higher nominal voltage than the battery as described in the next section.
