Controlled power interface between solar cells and AC source

A novel interface circuit between solar cells and a commercial AC source using Van Allen's multivibrator is presented. In this circuit, the AC source is used as a backup for solar cells, and the source and load power flow is automatically balanced by the circuit itself without any external phase control. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of solar cells and Van Allen's multivibrator, the authors describe a new method of controlling the DC power from solar cells according to the current load conditions, and a simple and fast optimization method for deriving the maximum solar power is discussed.<>