System and Method for Enhanced Watch Dog in Solar Panel Installations

    公开(公告)号:US20190207556A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-07-04

    申请号:US16293514

    申请日:2019-03-05

    申请人: Tigo Energy, Inc.

    摘要: A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shut down, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.

    SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING THE POWER OUTPUT OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL

    公开(公告)号:US20190173288A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-06-06

    申请号:US16264427

    申请日:2019-01-31

    申请人: Solarlytics, Inc.

    摘要: A solar cell management system for increasing the efficiency and power output of a solar cell and methods for making and using the same. The management system provides an electric field across an individual solar cell, an array of solar cells configured as a panel, or a group of solar panels. The imposed electric field exerts a force on both the electrons and holes created by light incident on the solar cell and accelerates the electron-hole pairs towards the electrodes of the solar cell. Compared to conventional solar cells, these accelerated electron-hole pairs travel a shorter distance from creation (by incident optical radiation) and spend less time within the solar cell material, therefore the electron-hole pairs have a lower likelihood of recombining within the cells' semiconductor's material. This reduction in the electron-hole recombination rate results in an overall increase in the solar cells' efficiency and greater power output.

    SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO MANAGE AND CONTROL ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

    公开(公告)号:US20190154462A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-23

    申请号:US16257436

    申请日:2019-01-25

    申请人: MELROK, LLC

    摘要: A system for analyzing energy usage measures one or more parameters indicative of energy usage for a plurality of sub-circuits, where the sampling rate for the measuring is substantially continuous, and automatically transmits information related to at least one of the measured parameters at a rate that enables monitoring of current energy usage. The system further detects a significant change in a measured parameter, determines whether the significant change in the measured parameter is caused by a change in energy usage, and automatically transmits information related to the significant change in the measured parameter caused by the change in energy usage after detecting the significant change.

    Smart sensor devices for measuring and verifying solar array performance and operational methods for use therewith

    公开(公告)号:US10284140B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-07

    申请号:US15980010

    申请日:2018-05-15

    申请人: PowerOwners, LLC.

    摘要: A device comprises a platform constructed and arranged to be mounted to one or more solar array modules and one or more solar irradiance sensors on the platform configured to receive incident solar energy, the one or more solar irradiance sensors oriented on the platform so that the received incident solar energy is comparable to that received by the solar array modules, the one or more solar irradiance sensors providing solar irradiance signals in response to the incident solar energy. A processor is on the platform, the processor configured to receive the solar irradiance signals and, in response, generating a performance reference metric based on the solar irradiance signals, the performance reference metric related to the expected performance of the one or more solar array modules to which the platform is mounted. A transmitter is on the platform, the transmitter configured to periodically transmit the performance reference metric to a receiver.

    Functionally integrated detachable photovoltaic module junction box

    公开(公告)号:US10250185B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-04-02

    申请号:US15837141

    申请日:2017-12-11

    摘要: A functionally integrated detachable photovoltaic module junction box has a base part and an upper cover part. The base part has string ports and two power supply ports. The string port electrically connects to strings on a photovoltaic module. The upper cover part has a circuit board therein. The circuit board has an optimizing and monitoring circuit and multiple electrical connection pieces connected to the optimizing and monitoring circuit. The electrical connection pieces are detachably connected to the string ports and the power supply port on the base part, for the optimizing and monitoring circuit to perform such functions as component optimization, monitoring, communication and shutdown on the photovoltaic module. Use of the junction box reduces the production, assembly and maintenance costs. When the junction box requires maintenance, only the upper cover part is needed to be replaced, thereby quickly completing the repair.