Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for improving solar carport systems and in particular, for improving a solar carport integrated with a busbar. Aspects of the disclosed technology include an integrated solar carport that includes at least one beam, at least one rail coupled to the at least one beam, and one or more vertical columns configured to support the at least one beam and the at least one rail. Further, the integrated solar carport includes one or more solar modules coupled to the at least one beam or the at least one rail and a busbar coupled to each beam of the at least one beam and one of the vertical columns. Methods of manufacturing the integrated solar carport are also provided.

Abstract: An EV can be autonomously charged by using its localization and navigation capabilities. The EV determines its pose in a local area and establishes a connection with a charger coordination system. The EV requests the charger coordination system to find a charging station in the local area based on the EV's pose. The charger coordination system uses the EV's pose to find the charging station. The charger coordination system sends the location of the charging station to the EV. The EV navigates to the charger. The EV further determines its pose relative to the charging station and aligns its charge port with the charger plug of the charging station. The EV may plug itself in or request the charger coordination system to insert the charger plug into the charge port. The alignment and insertion process may be managed by using force sensors on the charger plug or charge port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically suppressing noise at electric vehicle charging sites. In particular, systems and methods are provided for measuring the ambient noise at a charging site and adjusting electric vehicle chargers to reduce noise pollution. In some examples, electric vehicle charger cooling fans potentially generate a high level of noise, and the power output of a charger can be decreased to decrease the heat generated by the chargers, thereby reducing the need for fans. In various examples, reduction of noise pollution can be especially important in specified geographies (e.g., residential neighborhoods) and/or during selected timeframes (e.g., overnight). In various examples, the system interfaces with a central computer service (e.g., a dispatch service) to intelligently route autonomous vehicles to charging sites based on noise levels at various available charging sites.

Abstract: An EV can be autonomously charged by using its localization and navigation capabilities. The EV determines its pose in a local area and establishes a connection with a charger coordination system. The EV requests the charger coordination system to find a charging station in the local area based on the EV's pose. The charger coordination system uses the EV's pose to find the charging station. The charger coordination system sends the location of the charging station to the EV. The EV navigates to the charger. The EV further determines its pose relative to the charging station and aligns its charge port with the charger plug of the charging station. The EV may plug itself in or request the charger coordination system to insert the charger plug into the charge port. The alignment and insertion process may be managed by using force sensors on the charger plug or charge port.

Abstract: A charging facility provides a charging lane for charging electric vehicles (EVs). A charging system for charging the EVs in the lane includes a power management system and a set of chargers, each charger at a respective charging position along the charging lane. A load manager receives information about the EVs? charge levels and positions in the lane, and determines a charge rate for each EV. The power management system receives power from a power supply and distributes the power to the chargers according to the charging rates determined by the load manager, and the chargers deliver the power to the EVs.

Abstract: An EV can be autonomously charged by using its localization and navigation capabilities. The EV determines its pose in a local area and establishes a connection with a charger coordination system. The EV requests the charger coordination system to find a charging station in the local area based on the EV's pose. The charger coordination system uses the EV's pose to find the charging station. The charger coordination system sends the location of the charging station to the EV. The EV navigates to the charger. The EV further determines its pose relative to the charging station and aligns its charge port with the charger plug of the charging station. The EV may plug itself in or request the charger coordination system to insert the charger plug into the charge port. The alignment and insertion process may be managed by using force sensors on the charger plug or charge port.

Abstract: An EV can be autonomously charged by using its localization and navigation capabilities. The EV determines its pose in a local area and establishes a connection with a charger coordination system. The EV requests the charger coordination system to find a charging station in the local area based on the EV's pose. The charger coordination system uses the EV's pose to find the charging station. The charger coordination system sends the location of the charging station to the EV. The EV navigates to the charger. The EV further determines its pose relative to the charging station and aligns its charge port with the charger plug of the charging station. The EV may plug itself in or request the charger coordination system to insert the charger plug into the charge port. The alignment and insertion process may be managed by using force sensors on the charger plug or charge port.

Abstract: An EV can be autonomously charged by using its localization and navigation capabilities. The EV determines its pose in a local area and establishes a connection with a charger coordination system. The EV requests the charger coordination system to find a charging station in the local area based on the EV's pose. The charger coordination system uses the EV's pose to find the charging station. The charger coordination system sends the location of the charging station to the EV. The EV navigates to the charger. The EV further determines its pose relative to the charging station and aligns its charge port with the charger plug of the charging station. The EV may plug itself in or request the charger coordination system to insert the charger plug into the charge port. The alignment and insertion process may be managed by using force sensors on the charger plug or charge port.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes voltage limiting devices that are connected in series. A voltage limiting device clips a corresponding photovoltaic string to limit a voltage of the photovoltaic string. Unclipping of clipped photovoltaic strings is coordinated by a central controller or in a distributed fashion by the voltage limiting devices based on monitored string conditions.

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: A method includes measuring one or more performance metrics of a set of solar cells coupled to an inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a first criterion, a first subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a second criterion, a second subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, further reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes voltage limiting devices that are connected in series. A voltage limiting device clips a corresponding photovoltaic string to limit a voltage of the photovoltaic string. Unclipping of clipped photovoltaic strings is coordinated by a central controller or in a distributed fashion by the voltage limiting devices based on monitored string conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems include moving a mobile communication unit along a plurality of module units, and exchanging data with one of the plurality of module units based at least upon the mobile communication unit being in proximity to the one of the plurality of module units.

Abstract: Various example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for diverting current from a Photovoltaic (PV) module. In particular embodiments, the PV module can be part of a series connection (or string) of PV modules. The series connection provides a primary current path through which generated current flows. Current diversion circuit(s) can be used in connection with one or more PV modules. The current diversion circuit detects when the current through the primary current path is less than the desired current level for a corresponding PV module (e.g., the maximum power point). In response to this detection, the current diversion circuit can provide an alternate pathway for current from the corresponding PV module. This results in an overall increase in the current from the PV module and a corresponding increase in efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and systems include moving a mobile communication unit along a plurality of module units, and exchanging data with one of the plurality of module units based at least upon the mobile communication unit being in proximity to the one of the plurality of module units.

Abstract: A method includes measuring one or more performance metrics of a set of solar cells coupled to an inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a first criterion, a first subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter. Based at least on the performance metrics meeting a second criterion, a second subset of the set of solar cells are disabled, further reducing a voltage, power, or current provided to the inverter.

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: Various example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for diverting current from a Photovoltaic (PV) module. In particular embodiments, the PV module can be part of a series connection (or string) of PV modules. The series connection provides a primary current path through which generated current flows. Current diversion circuit(s) can be used in connection with one or more PV modules. The current diversion circuit detects when the current through the primary current path is less than the desired current level for a corresponding PV module (e.g., the maximum power point). In response to this detection, the current diversion circuit can provide an alternate pathway for current from the corresponding PV module. This results in an overall increase in the current from the PV module and a corresponding increase in efficiency.