POWER OPTIMIZERS IN SERIES WITH VOLTAGE SENSORS AND A COMMON REFERENCE SIGNAL

A common reference signal is received. The common reference signal has a voltage that is permitted to vary and it is used by serially-connected power optimizers to manage photovoltaic panels. A given individual voltage output and a combined voltage output are received. It is determined whether the given individual voltage output exceeds an individual limit. If so, a corresponding photovoltaic panel is adjusted to reduce the individual voltage output which in turn reduces the combined voltage output. It is determined whether the combined voltage output relative to the common reference signal exceeds a maximum offset. If so, the corresponding photovoltaic panel is adjusted to reduce the individual voltage output which in turn reduces the combined voltage output.