Abstract: Technologies for communicating information from an inverter configured for the conversion of direct current (DC) power generated from an alternative source to alternating current (AC) power are disclosed. The technologies include determining information to be transmitted from the inverter over a power line cable connected to the inverter and controlling the operation of an output converter of the inverter as a function of the information to be transmitted to cause the output converter to generate an output waveform having the information modulated thereon.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an integrated electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter and power line communication (PLC) interface. The EMC filter and PLC interface comprises a first filter winding and a second filter winding configured as a common mode choke; and a two-part winding on the common mode choke, wherein the two-part winding comprises (i) a first winding coupled proximate the first filter winding and (ii) a second winding coupled proximate the second filter winding, wherein the first winding and the second winding have an equal number of turns, and wherein phasing of the first winding is reversed with respect to the second winding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating distributed energy resource as-designed parameters. In one embodiment the method comprises obtaining, from MLPE coupled to a PV module of the DER, data corresponding to sunrise on a particular day; obtaining, from MLPE, data corresponding to sunset on the particular day; determining, by the computer system and using the data corresponding to the sunrise and the data corresponding to the sunset, (i) the length of the particular day and (ii) the solar noon for the particular day; computing, by the computer system and using the length of the particular day and the solar noon for the particular day, an as-built latitude for the PV module and an as-built longitude for the PV module; and comparing, by the computer system, (a) the as-built latitude to an as-designed latitude for the PV module, and (b) the as-built longitude to an as-designed longitude for the PV module.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a visualization of energy data. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing an energy visualization scale for visually depicting energy data in terms of one or more color parameters, where the energy data pertains to a distributed generator (DG); and generating a display image, based on the energy visualization scale, that depicts a plurality of energy data values in a grid layout across two dimensions in time.

Abstract: An apparatus formed with a plurality of power subsystems, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the apparatus is formed with plurality of local controllers to control an operating characteristic of at least one of the plurality of power subsystems. A central controller of the apparatus is configured to receive an indication of an overall power produced by the plurality of power subsystems, selectively command a first local controller of the plurality of local controllers to change a value of the operating characteristic of a first power subsystem of the plurality of power subsystems, receive an indication of a change in the overall power in response to the change in the value of the operating characteristic of the first power subsystem, and store, in memory, the change in the value of the operating characteristic of the first power subsystem if the overall power is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for mechanically coupling a power conditioning unit (PCU) to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a base member, adapted for mounting a power conditioning unit (PCU) on a PV module backsheet, comprising a plurality of PCU retention members for retaining the PCU; and at least one compression spring, coupled to the base member, for maintaining the PCU in a position, with respect to the PV module backsheet, that can be dynamically changed between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: Electrical component location is provided. Employed location techniques may include providing a cycling signal, having components to be located sense the cycling signal at the same time, report back the sensed signal, and determining relative locations for one or more of the components using the sensed signals reported by the components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mapping distributed generators (DGs) to corresponding power grid feeder lines. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining grid data pertaining to a power grid that comprises a plurality of feeder lines; obtaining, for each distributed generator (DG) of a plurality of DGs coupled to the plurality of feeder lines, DG data pertaining to the DG; and determining, based on the grid data and the DG data, a mapping that identifies to which feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines each of the DGs of the plurality of DGs is coupled.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module can include a plurality of solar cells and circuitry configured to switch between a first state in which output voltage from the PV module includes voltage from the plurality of solar cells and a second state in which the output voltage includes voltage from fewer that all the plurality of solar cells.

Abstract: An electric system includes a local power controller and solar panel system that includes a plurality of solar modules on one or more branch circuits. A method for commissioning the electric system includes an installer using a commissioning device to send and receive information from a remote system and the local power controller performing an automatic self-test of the electric system. The results of the self-test may be packaged with photographs and measurements of the electric system and sent to a remote system where an inspector can inspect the electric system remotely. After receiving approval by the inspector, the local power controller may automatically activate each branch circuit of the electric system and thus enabling the electric system to generate electricity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequence of event (SOE) data logging. In one embodiment, the method comprises continuously recording, at a power conditioner coupled to a power distribution line, data obtained by sampling a waveform of the power distribution line during a sampling window; analyzing, by the power conditioner, the data to determine whether an event has occurred; and based on the analysis, maintaining the data when it is determined that the event has occurred, and discarding the data when it is determined that the event has not occurred.

Abstract: A method for converting DC input power into AC output power comprising operating in a continuous mode, while the DC input power is at a first level, wherein DC input power is continuously converted into AC output power and applied to an AC power grid and upon detecting the DC input power is at a second level, operating in a burst mode, wherein a burst of AC output power for a half grid cycle is followed by a period of energy storage lasting an integer number of grid cycles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing multi-phase power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cycloconverter controller for determining a charge ratio based on a reference waveform; and a cycloconverter, coupled to the cycloconverter controller and to a multi-phase AC line, for selectively coupling an alternating current to each line of the multi-phase AC line based on the charge ratio.

Abstract: Location functionality to determine the geospatial location of a PV module is described. This functionality may be performed at the PV module site itself as well as remote from the PV module site. The location functionality may involve the analysis of data collected from the location of the PV module or modules being analyzed as well as data from locations of other PV modules, which are not being analyzed. This data, from other PV modules may be gathered, recorded, and used as a benchmark, or for some other purpose in embodiments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power conditioners in a distributed resource island are provided herein. In one embodiment, an input of a power conditioner that is operating in a de-energized state and coupled to an islanded grid is compared to an input threshold. When the input exceeds the input threshold, the power conditioner is operated in a soft-grid mode to generate a touch-safe AC voltage that is coupled to the islanded grid. The power conditioner compares an impedance of the islanded grid to a grid impedance range and compares load demand of the power conditioner to an activate threshold; when the impedance is within the grid impedance range and the load demand exceeds the activate threshold, the power conditioner is activated to operate proximate its nominal output voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermal management for an electric device. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a primary heat spreader disposed within an enclosure that contains a printed circuit board (PCB) populated with at least one electrical component, wherein the primary heat spreader is thermally conductive and wherein the interior of the enclosure is at least partially filled with an encapsulating material; a secondary heat spreader coupled to an exterior face of a first wall of the enclosure, wherein the secondary heat spreader is thermally conductive; and a thermal interface coupled between the primary head spreader and the PCB, wherein the thermal interface is thermally conductive and electrically insulating.

Abstract: System and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprising a DC stage, comprising a resonant circuit, for generating a high-frequency resonant current; and an AC stage for converting a high-frequency current, generated from the high-frequency resonant current, to an AC output current, wherein the AC stage comprises: a pair of serially-connected switches for (i) passing, during a first half of a cycle of an AC line, a positive portion of the high-frequency current, and (ii) passing, during a second half of the cycle of the AC line, a negative portion of the high-frequency current; and an unfurling bridge for unfurling a current waveform, formed from the positive and the negative portions, to generate the AC output current, wherein the unfurling bridge is operated at a frequency on the order of three orders of magnitude lower than an operating frequency of the serially-connected switches.

Abstract: A planar matrix transformer assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises (a) a core comprising multiple center posts in a matrix pattern; and multiple edge posts along edges of the core for a magnetic flux return path; (b) a single-turn layer comprising a top winding on the top the layer to form a single turn around each center post; and a bottom winding electrically coupled to the top winding and on the bottom of the layer to form a single turn around each center post; and (c) a multi-turn layer comprising multiple top-side windings on top of the layer, wherein each top-side winding is a multi-turn winding around a different center post; and multiple bottom-side windings on the bottom of the multi-turn layer, wherein each bottom-side winding is (i) electrically coupled to a different top-side winding in a one-to-one correspondence, and (ii) a multi-turn winding around a different center post.

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, 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: Apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a battery unit, coupled to a power line, comprising (a) a plurality of power cells, wherein each power cell of the plurality of power cells comprises a battery cell coupled to a pico-converter, wherein the pico-converter is a bidirectional power converter; and (b) a master controller, coupled to each power cell of the plurality of power cells, for dynamically and individually controlling both an operating state and a power conversion direction for each power cell in the plurality of power cells to generate a predetermined power output from the battery unit.