公开(公告)号：US10158321B2

公开(公告)日：2018-12-18

申请号：US15861543

申请日：2018-01-03

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Trevor B. Guthrie ,  Gregory Philip Patnude ,  Brian Despard West ,  David Molina ,  Ryan Devine

IPC: H02S20/23 ,  H02S30/10 ,  H01L31/048

Abstract: Methods and systems for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules atop a rooftop are disclosed. In particular the mounting hardware includes a photovoltaic module tray supported above the rooftop by a number of support structures fastened to the rooftop. The photovoltaic module trays include bottom and sidewalls configured to support and align photovoltaic modules along the rooftop. Since the bottom wall supports the weight of the photovoltaic module, the sidewalls can have a thin form-factor that allows the photovoltaic modules trays to be tightly spaced. In this way, the photovoltaic module tray can occupy very little area on the roof allowing the effective collection area of photovoltaic modules supported by the photovoltaic module trays to be significantly larger than photovoltaic modules using wider photovoltaic module frames.

公开(公告)号：US10116256B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-30

申请号：US14983358

申请日：2015-12-29

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： David Miljkovic ,  Brian Atchley ,  Jack Raymond West ,  Nicholas G. J. de Vries

IPC: H01L31/00 ,  H02S40/34 ,  H02S40/36

Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are constructed having separate positive and negative junction boxes positioned at the corners of each photovoltaic module. A photovoltaic array assembled from these photovoltaic modules can be aligned such that the positive and negative junction boxes connect in an arrangement that minimizes the amount of wire needed to install the photovoltaic array. The arrangement of photovoltaic modules connecting the positive and negative junction boxes on adjacent photovoltaic modules leads to successive rows of photovoltaic modules in the photovoltaic array are oriented in opposing directions.

公开(公告)号：US10110160B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-23

申请号：US15166197

申请日：2016-05-26

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Tyrus Hawkes Hudson

IPC: H02S20/24 ,  H02S20/30 ,  H02S30/10 ,  H02S20/23 ,  F24S25/00

Abstract: A three-directional photovoltaic module connector. The module connector includes first serial connection portion on each side for connecting two adjacent photovoltaic modules together in a serial, end-to-end connection. The module connector also includes a first parallel connection portion for connecting the two serially connected pairs of adjacent photovoltaic modules together in parallel, that is, side-to-side. The module connector further includes a vertical connection portion for attaching a mounting foot to elevate the photovoltaic module connector above a support surface such as a roof.

公开(公告)号：US10097005B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-09

申请号：US14828048

申请日：2015-08-17

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Sandeep Narla ,  Alex Mayer ,  Brett Alten

IPC: H02J3/38 ,  G05B15/02 ,  H02S10/00 ,  H01R29/00

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling an energy-generation device may be provided. Sockets of the device may be configured to electrically couple to respective energy-generation modules. In some examples, the device may include a connector, memory, and a processor configured to execute instructions for managing the electrical configuration of the sockets.

公开(公告)号：US10063053B2

公开(公告)日：2018-08-28

申请号：US14802581

申请日：2015-07-17

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Eric Daniel Carlson ,  Nathan Murthy

IPC: H02J3/14

CPC classification number: H02J3/14 ,  Y02B70/3225 ,  Y04S20/222

Abstract: Methods for controlling an energy storage device to reduce peak power demand at a site are provided. In one embodiment, load data corresponding to a load in a utility grid-connecting energy generation (EG) system is received. The load data may be sampled at a first predetermined interval, and the EG system may include an energy storage device. A load threshold level is received, and a discharge control signal is generated. The discharge control signal may be generated when the measured load is at or above the load threshold level. The control signal may be applied to the measured load for a second predetermined interval that is longer than the first predetermined interval.

公开(公告)号：US20180224159A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-09

申请号：US15866116

申请日：2018-01-09

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Jack Raymond West ,  David Youmans ,  Brian Atchley

IPC: F24S25/70 ,  F24S25/636 ,  F24S25/65 ,  F24S25/33 ,  H02S20/23 ,  F24S25/613 ,  F24S25/632 ,  F24S25/00

CPC classification number: F24S25/70 ,  F24S25/33 ,  F24S25/613 ,  F24S25/632 ,  F24S25/636 ,  F24S25/65 ,  F24S2025/801 ,  F24S2025/807 ,  H02S20/23 ,  Y02B10/12 ,  Y02B10/20 ,  Y02E10/47 ,  Y10T403/32975 ,  Y10T403/38

Abstract: An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed. One embodiment provides a rail system for receiving a PV module, including a first rail, a second rail, a substantially rectilinear double male connector adapted for coupling an end of the first rail to an end of the second rail, and a connector adapted to attach a PV module to the first rail. Another embodiment provides a PV module including a PV laminate, a frame integral with and supporting the PV laminate, and a spanner bar adapted to solely span a width of the PV module, orthogonally connect at various locations along the frame, and attach to a support structure. A further embodiment provides a coupling device for a PV module comprising a first coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a PV module, and a second coupling portion adapted to rotatably engage a rail.

公开(公告)号：US10033292B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-24

申请号：US15807540

申请日：2017-11-08

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez

IPC: H02M5/458 ,  H02M7/48 ,  H02J3/38 ,  H02M1/12 ,  H02M7/5387 ,  H02M1/08 ,  H02M1/00 ,  H02J3/40

Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.

公开(公告)号：US20180151766A1

公开(公告)日：2018-05-31

申请号：US15363901

申请日：2016-11-29

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Christoph G. Erben ,  Milan Padilla ,  Zhi-Wen Sun

IPC: H01L31/048 ,  H01L31/02 ,  H01L31/0747 ,  H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/18

Abstract: A system for fabricating a photovoltaic module is provided. During operation, the system can obtain a plurality of photovoltaic structures. A respective photovoltaic structure can include first and second metallic grids on first and second surfaces, respectively. The system can then encapsulates the photovoltaic structures between a first cover and a second cover using an encapsulant having a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) less than a predetermined value, thereby preventing oxidation and corrosion of the metallic grids during the service life of the photovoltaic module.

公开(公告)号：US09927471B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-27

申请号：US14095709

申请日：2013-12-03

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Eric Daniel Carlson ,  Karthikeyan Varadarajan

IPC: G01R21/133 ,  G05B15/02 ,  H02J3/32 ,  H02J3/28 ,  H02J3/30 ,  H02J7/35

CPC classification number: G01R21/1331 ,  G05B15/02 ,  G05B2219/2642 ,  H02J3/28 ,  H02J3/30 ,  H02J3/32 ,  H02J7/35 ,  Y02B70/3241 ,  Y04S20/227

Abstract: Techniques for controlling an energy storage device to reduce peak power demand at a site are provided. In one embodiment, instantaneous power usage at the site can be monitored, where the instantaneous power usage corresponds to power that is instantaneously imported or exported at a point of common coupling (PCC) between the site and a utility-managed energy grid. A historical power usage value for the site can then be calculated based on the monitored instantaneous power usage, and the historical power usage value can be compared with a target peak value plus a buffer value. If the historical power usage value exceeds the target peak value plus the buffer value, the target peak value can be set to the historical power usage value.

公开(公告)号：US20180019349A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-18

申请号：US15209307

申请日：2016-07-13

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Christoph G. Erben

IPC: H01L31/02 ,  H01L31/0224 ,  H01L31/0376 ,  H01L31/20

CPC classification number: H01L31/0201 ,  H01L31/022433 ,  H01L31/022466 ,  H01L31/0747 ,  Y02E10/50

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module includes a front-side cover, a back-side cover, and a plurality of photovoltaic strings situated between the front- and back-side covers. A respective photovoltaic string includes a plurality of gridless photovoltaic cells sharing one or more metallic grids while coupled in series. The photovoltaic strings are in turn coupled in parallel to form the photovoltaic module.