Abstract: A method of monitoring state of health for an energy generation system includes receiving a measurement of a parameter of an electrical component in the PV energy generation system at an instance in time, referencing a look-up table containing several values of the parameter representing an expected degradation trend across a progression of time for the electrical component, comparing the measurement to an expected value of the expected degradation trend for a period of time corresponding to the instance in time, and initiating a preventative measure based upon the comparison between the measurement and the expected value of the expected degradation trend.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a distributed generation management system may be provided. Real-time power generation information may be collected from sensors of energy generation systems that make up a grid of controlled systems. An aggregate real-time power generation requirement may be determined for the grid based on the real-time power generation information. Using the aggregate requirements, a power profile may be calculated for the grid that indicates a level of power generation for the grid. In some examples, a control signal to control power generation may be generated and provided to the controlled systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grid synchroniser for connecting an AC output of a power converter to the AC grid mains. In one aspect the invention provides a grid synchroniser comprising an inverter controller to control an AC output of the inverter, the controller including a receiver to receive grid data from a grid sensor location remote from said inverter. In another aspect we describe techniques for rapid removal of charge from a control terminal of a power switching device such as a MOSFET, IGBT or Thyristor using a particular driver circuit.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.

Abstract: A system for energy conversion with electric vehicle (EV) charging capability includes a hybrid inverter comprising a DC/DC converter stage for receiving power from a photovoltaic array, a capacitor bank, and a DC-AC inverter coupled to the capacitor bank. The DC-AC inverter includes a battery pack connection for supplying energy to or receiving energy from a battery pack, an AC grid connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an AC grid, a connection for supplying power to a load, and an EV connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an EV battery. The system also includes a controller for generating control signals to control the flow of power within the hybrid inverter, which converts power received from at least one of the photovoltaic array and the battery pack and provides the converted power to charge the EV battery via the EV connection.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module sub-circuit for an energy generation system includes a plurality of PV sub-modules coupled together via external cables, the plurality of PV sub-modules includes a first PV sub-module and a second PV sub-module, a negative output terminal coupled to the first PV sub-module, a positive output terminal coupled to the second PV sub-module, and a plurality of connectors external to the PV sub-modules and coupling the PV sub-modules together to form the PV module sub-circuit. The sub-circuit further includes a bypass mechanism including a first terminal coupled to only the negative output terminal and the first PV sub-module, and a second terminal coupled to only the positive output terminal and the second PV sub-module, the bypass mechanism configured to prevent current flow in a first direction and allow current flow in a second direction opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: Mounting systems are disclosed for attaching photovoltaic modules to torque tubes. Such systems can include saddle brackets that maximize space along a torque tube by sharing torque tube mounting holes between adjacent brackets. The brackets can be positionally stable on the torque tube prior to complete installation to enable a single installer to assemble a complete tracker array.

Abstract: A cleaving system and method are described. The system can include a holding apparatus to retain a photovoltaic structure at a center section of a cleaving platform. The system can further include a contact apparatus to make contact with the photovoltaic structure and separate it into a plurality of strips. During operation, the system can activate an actuator to move the contact apparatus against the photovoltaic structure, thereby separating the photovoltaic structure into strips.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.

Abstract: PV modules and ballast arm assemblies are mounted onto a torque tube suspended from a support structure. The support structures allows torque tube, and mounted PV modules and ballast arm assemblies, to freely rotate. The ballast arm assembly includes a drive mechanism, an arm and a ballast. The drive mechanism allows the adjustment angle between the PV module and the arm and ballast to be changed. Changing the adjustment angle causes the torque tube, and mounted PV modules, to freely rotate to a different orientation angle in order to balance the moments of PV modules and ballast arm assemblies caused by gravity. The orientation angle can be changed throughout the day by changing the adjustment angle in order for the PV modules to track the sun.

Abstract: An energy generation system includes an inverter power control system and a plurality of energy storage devices coupled to the inverter power control system. The inverter power control system includes an input configured to receive DC power; a DC/AC inverter stage configured to receive the DC power input; an anti-islanding relay coupled to the output of the DC/AC inverter stage; and a transition relay coupled to the anti-islanding relay, where the transition relay configured to route an output of the inverter power control system between one or more onsite back-up loads and an AC grid. Each energy storage device is configured to communicate with the inverter power control system.

Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors having spring latch assemblies. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. The orientation projections on the spring latch assemblies of each pair of left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connector allow for the photovoltaic array connectors to fit over and settle on a torque tube, and thereby support and mount a photovoltaic module as part of a solar tracker array.

Abstract: Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto PV module mounting brackets of a solar torque tube via clamps. The clamps include a first hook rotatably attached to a main body, and a second hook rotatably attached to the main body. The clamps provide for simultaneously securing a first photovoltaic module to the bracket with the first hook and securing a second photovoltaic module to the bracket with the second hook without the need for tools.

Abstract: A hand-powered photovoltaic module hoist having a sled that slides along a ladder, and a pulley assembly mounted at the top of the ladder with a first cord to lift the sled and a second safety release cord to permit the sled to descend down the ladder. The sled is not attached to the ladder and the pulley assembly is a removable frame that is hung onto rungs of the ladder such that the hoist can quickly be installed on a standard ladder.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, adjacent photovoltaic modules may be oriented so that a boundary between an up-roof photovoltaic module and a down-roof photovoltaic module is not noticeable by observers positioned at typical viewing angles of the roof.

Abstract: A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

Abstract: A bracket for installing photovoltaic modules on a tile roof. The bracket can have a base portion adapted to sit on a flat roof surface below a tile. A pair of curved portions above the base portion can be supported by a pair of vertical portions. A riser portion can be connected to the pair of curved portion and rising in a direction perpendicular to a roof surface. A flange can be connected to and be perpendicular to the riser portion and parallel to the base.

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be on-roof systems, elevated from the surface of a roof, being flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, inverted seams can couple photovoltaic-supporting pans and non-photovoltaic structures, forming a substantively planar surface. In some configurations, the appearance of BIPV systems can be particularly aesthetically pleasing and generally seamless to an observer.

Abstract: A system for controlling a battery state-of-energy within a microgrid includes an energy generation (EG) system, an electrical load coupled to the EG system, an energy storage system coupled to the EG system and the electrical load, and a controller coupled to the EG system and the energy storage system. The energy storage system can charge and discharge according to a target charge value and a target discharge value, which may be based on a state-of-energy of the energy storage system. The controller can control a power generation of the EG system based on the load demand and the target charge value and target discharge value of the energy storage system. The controller can further control a power generation of a second EG system when the EG system cannot meet the load demand and maintain the state-of-energy of the energy storage system within a desired level.