Abstract:
An electric vehicle charging station parking block. In one aspect, the parking block includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is configured to be closer to the ground than the top surface when the parking block is in an installed state. The parking block has a cord channel defined at a location within the parking block that is between the top surface and the bottom surface. The cord channel is a void configured to accept a cord that connects an electric vehicle (EV) charger to an EV charging port configured to physically connect to an EV.
Abstract:
A photovoltaic in line connector assembly has an integral fuse, and is double molded to provide electrical insulation, protection and strain relief. The assembly can be integrated with, or added to, a wiring harness for a photovoltaic installation, thereby providing one fuse per solar panel. The assembly may include zero, one, or two connectors that are male, female, or one of each.
Abstract:
A base is a platform that supports a component off the ground in a solar energy installation. The specific configuration of a base can vary based on the intended component, for example whether it holds a transformer or power component. Multiple bases are mechanically and/or electrically connected to form a system of bases in the field. Proper placement of bases and engagement of those bases is facilitated by mating alignment mechanisms such that one base can be lowered “fit” with another. A method of positioning components includes positioning a base and aligning and lowering a second base alongside the first such that the bases engage.
Abstract:
A master recombiner box system includes a plurality of input bus bars that receive power from a corresponding combiner box in a solar field. Each input bus bar is coupled with a current transducer, thereby measuring the current of the associated combiner box. Power feeding into the plurality of input bus bars is combined at a recombiner bus bar, which leads to an output bus bar, and ultimately to an external inverter. The current transducers are linked to a control circuit board which utilizes an antenna to send RF signals to a receiver. In this manner individual combiner boxes in a solar field can be monitored wirelessly.
Abstract:
A disconnect system for a solar installation shuts down power upstream from an inverter, so that it is safe for solar field personnel to perform work related to a solar installation. The system actuates multiple disconnect devices in one motion by a linkage assembly which can associate 2-4 disconnect switches with a single handle. This system preferably includes hardware and logic for monitoring the current and voltage output of electrically coupled combiner/recombiner boxes in the solar field, and for wirelessly transmitting this data to a user. A single disconnect cabinet can accommodate 2-20 inputs from associated recombiner boxes with 5 handles or less.
Abstract:
A lead assembly includes at plurality of drop line joined to a feeder cable at joints each having a compression lug that is preferably surrounded by undermolding and overmolding. In use, each drop line is connected to a solar array, and the feeder cable is connected to an inverter. In this manner a plurality of solar arrays are electrically coupled together, with a common feeder cable connecting them all to the inverter. A system of the present invention doesn't require a combiner box which is conventionally employed directly upstream of the inverter.
Abstract:
A master recombiner box system includes a plurality of input bus bars that receive power from a corresponding combiner box in a solar field. Each input bus bar is coupled with a current transducer, thereby measuring the current of the associated combiner box. Power feeding into the plurality of input bus bars is combined at a recombiner bus bar, which leads to an output bus bar, and ultimately to an external inverter. The current transducers are linked to a control circuit board which utilizes an antenna to send RF signals to a receiver. In this manner individual combiner boxes in a solar field can be monitored wirelessly.
Abstract:
A disconnect system for a solar installation shuts down power upstream from an inverter, so that it is safe for solar field personnel to perform work related to a solar installation. The system actuates multiple disconnect devices in one motion by a linkage assembly which can associate 2-4 disconnect switches with a single handle. This system preferably includes hardware and logic for monitoring the current and voltage output of electrically coupled combiner/recombiner boxes in the solar field, and for wirelessly transmitting this data to a user. A single disconnect cabinet can accommodate 2-20 inputs from associated recombiner boxes with 5 handles or less.
Abstract:
Low leakage electrical joints and wire harnesses for simplifying the electrical infrastructure associated with solar energy utilities are disclosed. The low leakage electrical joints include fused wires that have been sealed, encased and configured to plug into other joints to form wire harnesses. The wire harnesses are particularly well suited for coupling a plurality of solar collector junction boxes to a combiner box.