Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) assemblies and modules for converting solar radiation to electrical energy are disclosed. A PV module comprises a plurality of PV or solar cells for generating DC power. In some embodiments, the plurality of solar cells are encapsulated within a PV laminate. A PV assembly comprises an electronic component assembly coupled to the PV module. The electronic component assembly comprises an enclosure defining an interior region and a power conditioning circuit within the interior region of the enclosure. The power conditioning circuit comprises at least one electronic component for conditioning power generated by the plurality of solar cells. The electronic component assembly comprises a first electrical conduit for inputting direct current (DC) generated by the plurality of solar cells to the power conditioning circuit. The electronic component assembly further comprises a second electrical conduit for outputting conditioned power from the power conditioning circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling reactive power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a bidirectional power converter comprising a switched mode cycloconverter for generating AC power having a desired amount of a reactive power component.

Abstract: A method and system for AC battery operation. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining, at a battery management unit (BMU) coupled to an AC battery comprising a power converter and a battery that is rechargeable, a bias control voltage that indicates a state of a charge process of the AC battery; and coupling, by a bias control module of the BMU, the bias control voltage to the power converting for communicating the state of the charge process to and from the BMU and the power converter.

Abstract: Apparatus for communicating across an isolation barrier. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a transformer having a first winding disposed on a first side of a printed circuit board (PCB) and coupled to a first local ground, and a second winding disposed on a second side of the PCB, the second side opposite to the first side, and coupled to a second local ground; a transmitter coupled to the first winding; and a receiver, coupled the second winding, that generates an output signal based on a signal received from the transmitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomous, automatic interleaving of cycled loads coupled to a grid. In one or more embodiments, the method comprises (i) determining, by a smart load coupled to a grid, a first grid stress value; (ii) comparing, by the smart load, the first grid stress value to an activation threshold; (iii) waiting, by the smart load, when the first grid stress value is less than the activation threshold, a delay period; (iv) determining, by the smart load and after the delay period ends, a second grid stress value; (v) comparing, by the smart load, the second grid stress value to the activation threshold; and (iv) activating, by the smart load, when the second grid stress value is less than the activation threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power converter current control. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling an instantaneous current generated by a power converter that is part of an AC battery such that the power converter appears, from the perspective of an AC line coupled to the power converter, as a virtual AC voltage source in series with a virtual impedance, wherein real and reactive phasor currents for the power converter are indirectly controlled by modifying amplitude and phase of a virtual AC voltage waveform that defines the virtual AC voltage source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for voltage clamping including: measuring a DC voltage across the PV module at an input of a power converter, comparing the measured DC voltage to the overvoltage threshold, determining the measured DC voltage exceeds the overvoltage threshold, and operating a clamping circuit to clamp at least a portion of the DC voltage prior to input to the power converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing circulating currents on a power distribution line. In one embodiment, the method comprises dynamically adjusting a turns ratio of a tap changing transformer, the tap changing transformer coupled to a power grid distribution line that is also coupled to a plurality of microgrid branches wherein at least one microgrid branch of the plurality of microgrid branches comprises a distributed energy resource (DER), based on a reactive power measured locally to the tap changing transformer, to minimize current circulating on the power grid distribution line.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing decentralized power conditioner start-up in a distributed resource island system (DRIS). In one embodiment the method comprises determining, by a power conditioner in the DRIS, when a line voltage of the DRIS collapses to zero; starting, by the power conditioner, when the line voltage collapses to zero, a black-start timer, wherein the black-start timer is set to the same amount of time as a plurality of black-start timers corresponding to a plurality of power conditioners of the DRIS; and initiating, by the power conditioner, following expiration of the black-start timer, a black-start.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solar cell installation includes several groups of solar cells. Each group of solar cells has a local power point optimizer configured to control power generation of the group. The local power point optimizer may be configured to determine an optimum operating condition for a corresponding group of solar cells. The local power point optimizer may adjust the operating condition of the group to the optimum operating condition by modulating a transistor, such as by pulse width modulation, to electrically connect and disconnect the group from the installation. The local power point optimizer may be used in conjunction with a global maximum power point tracking module.

Abstract: Various technologies for integrating a microinverter with a photovoltaic module are disclosed. An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module includes a photovoltaic module having a frame and a junction box including a direct current (DC) output connector, and a microinverter having a housing coupled to the frame and a DC input connector electrically mated with the DC output connector of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system includes module-level power electronic (MLPE) devices that produce energy. The PV system includes a gateway to receive and send data to MLPE devices. The gateway also connects the PV system with a network, such as a local area network, that allows access to the Internet. The gateway provides functionality within the PV system to perform various processes to improve operation of MLPE devices.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island. In one embodiment, the method comprises comparing, at a power conditioner operating in a de-energized state, an input of the power conditioner to an input threshold, wherein the power conditioner is coupled to an islanded grid; operating the power conditioner, when the input exceeds the input threshold, in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid; and activating the power conditioner, based on an impedance of the islanded grid and load demand for the power conditioner, to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for provisioning an alternative energy source generator operable with a gateway in communication with a web portal. In one embodiment, the method includes entering system information into the gateway, and transmitting the system information to the web portal. The method also includes validating the system information, determining configuration information for the alternative energy source generator in response to validation of the system information, and transmitting the configuration information to the gateway. The method also includes initiating a discovery process to ascertain discovery information for the alternative energy source generator in response to the configuration information, and transmitting the discovery information to the web portal.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for autonomous charge balancing of an energy storage device of the microgrid. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a power conditioner, coupled to the energy storage device, comprising a droop control module for operating the power conditioner, during an autonomous mode of operation, such that the state of charge of the energy storage device is autonomously driven toward the state of charge of at least one other energy storage device of the microgrid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a microgrid load. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring at least one grid parameter of a microgrid transmission line coupled to a load in a microgrid; computing, using the at least one grid parameter and a droop control technique, at least one virtual set-point; determining a modification to operation of the load based on the at least one virtual set-point; and modifying operation of the load based on the modification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using MLPE data for characterizing real-world operation a PV module. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a plurality of temperature measurements, wherein each temperature measurement is a measure, by an MLPE proximate to a PV module, of temperature; obtaining a plurality of DC voltage measurements, wherein each DC voltage measurement of the plurality of DC voltage measurements is a measure by the MLPE of a DC voltage of the PV module; obtaining a plurality of DC current measurements, wherein each DC current measurement of the plurality of DC voltage measurements is a measure by the MLPE of a DC current of the PV module; obtaining racking design information with respect to the PV module; and determining a plurality of PV module temperatures for the PV module based on the plurality of temperature measurements and the racking design information.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a power electronic device to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a mounting bracket adapted to mechanically couple the power electronic device to the backsheet of the PV module such that the power electronic device can be interchangeably positioned in a retracted position and an extended position, the extended position having an air gap between the power electronic device and the backsheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power converter current control. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling an instantaneous current generated by a power converter such that that power converter appears, from the perspective of an AC line coupled to the power converter, as a virtual AC voltage source in series with a virtual impedance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power converter current control. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling an instantaneous current generated by a power converter that is part of an AC battery such that the power converter appears, from the perspective of an AC line coupled to the power converter, as a virtual AC voltage source in series with a virtual impedance, wherein real and reactive phasor currents for the power converter are indirectly controlled by modifying amplitude and phase of a virtual AC voltage waveform that defines the virtual AC voltage source.