Adapting a low voltage PEM fuel-cell to domestic grid-connected PV system

In this work, we present an electronic system that simplify the incorporation of additional sources to a previously existent small PV system. Particularly, we investigate how to proceed with a low voltage, high-current PEM fuel-cell. The proposed system is developed from the concept of loss-free resistor, and can be easily adapted to any type of energy source and storage elements. Among the advantages of the proposed system, the PV array keeps its maximum power point (MPP), with independence of the power delivered by the new source. In addition, the proposed system allows also a particular MPPT for the new source if required. Finally, as additional benefits, sources can the incorporated or extracted with hot-swapping, and the energy production profile can be smoothed, predictable, and even constant, as wanted by the utility grid regulators.