Abstract: A solar power measurement method is provided. A method may include determining an azimuth of a reference roof edge relative to an orientation of an aerial image of a structure. The method may include capturing at least one image at at least one determined measurement location proximate the structure. Further, the method may include determining a relative azimuth of the reference roof edge from a downward view of a lower hemisphere of the at least one image. In addition, the method may include determining an orientation of an upper hemisphere of the at least one image based on the azimuth of the reference roof edge, the relative azimuth of the reference roof edge, and a known tilt of a roof edge of the structure. Furthermore, the method may include calculating shading conditions for a time period for known sun positions during the time period based on the orientation of the upper hemisphere of the at least one spherical image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to solar module mounting systems. A system may include an adhesion sheet configured to be secured to a roof of a structure via an adhesive. The system may further include at least one clamp configured for securing at least one solar module to the adhesion sheet. Other embodiments are related to methods of attaching one or more solar modules to a structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to determining at least one attribute of a roof of a structure. A system may include at least one image capture device configured to capture two or more images of a photovoltaic installation site. The system may also include an image processing engine communicatively coupled to the at least one image capture device and configured to receive at least two images from the at least one image capture device and determine at least one attribute of the roof at the installation site based on the at least two received images.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a methods, devices, and systems communicatively coupling a solar system to a network. A system may include a local router and a solar gateway. The solar gateway may include an interface for coupling to a network via the local router and a long-range module for coupling to the network via at least one other solar gateway.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to photovoltaic installation systems and methods. A method may include determining a maximum number of photovoltaic (PV) modules for positioning on a roof of a structure, and determining one or more regions on the roof for positioning at least the maximum number of PV modules. Further, the method may include submitting a permitting package including the maximum number of PV modules and the one or more regions. In addition, the method may include determining a number of PV modules to be installed on the roof, where in the number of PV modules less than or equal to the maximum number of PV modules. The method may also include installing the number of PV modules within at least one of the one or more regions. The method may also include establishing the as-built characteristics of the PV system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a carrier device. A device may include a handle and at least one attachment device coupled to the handle. The at least one attachment device may be configured to couple to a solar module, wherein each attachment device includes at least one of a channel for receiving a portion of a frame of the solar module and a clamp for securing the solar module.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to community virtual net metering of photovoltaic systems. A method may include identifying at least two photovoltaic (PV) system customers in a single geographical area. The method may also include crediting power overproduction of a first PV system customer of the at least two PV system customers to a second, different PV system customer of the at least two PV system customers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, systems, and devices for predicting production of a photovoltaic (PV) system. A method may include establishing a reference performance model for a reference PV system at a reference site. Further, the method may include establishing a performance factor for an installed PV system based on configuration parameters of the installed PV system, measurements of the installed PV system, weather data at an installation site of the installed PV system and a comparison of the measurements of the installed PV system to the reference performance model. The method may also include predicting production of the installed PV system based on the performance factor, cumulative weather data and a time dependent performance ratio.

Abstract: A solar monitor measures electrical characteristics of a designated solar device within an array of solar devices that are coupled in series. The solar monitor includes a charge storage element and a charger coupled to the charge storage element to establish a positive voltage and/or a negative voltage on the charge storage element. A switch within the solar monitor is coupled in a shunt configuration with the designated solar device and with a subsequent device in the array. The switch selectively couples the charge storage element to the designated solar device to vary an operating current that flows between the designated solar device and the subsequent solar device. The solar monitor includes a current detector to measure the current of the designated solar device, and a voltage detector to measure the voltage of the designated solar device.

Abstract: A solar monitor measures electrical characteristics of a designated solar device within an array of solar devices that are coupled in series. The solar monitor includes a charge storage element and a charger coupled to the charge storage element to establish a positive voltage and/or a negative voltage on the charge storage element. A switch within the solar monitor is coupled in a shunt configuration with the designated solar device and with a subsequent device in the array. The switch selectively couples the charge storage element to the designated solar device to vary an operating current that flows between the designated solar device and the subsequent solar device. The solar monitor includes a current detector to measure the current of the designated solar device, and a voltage detector to measure the voltage of the designated solar device.

Abstract: A solar resource measurement system captures an orientation-referenced image within a field of view of a tilted surface that includes a skyline, detects the skyline within the orientation-referenced image to establish a set of zenith angles as a function of azimuth angles associated with the skyline, and determines a solar resource for the tilted surface from the orientation-referenced image and the set of zenith angles as the function of azimuth angles that are associated with the skyline.

Abstract: A vector modulator calibration system (“VMCS”) for obtaining a calibrated modulated output signal while minimizing spurious output signals from a vector modulator is shown. The VMCS may include a power sensor in signal communication with the vector modulator and a digitizer in signal communication with the power sensor.

Abstract: A solar monitor measures electrical characteristics of a designated solar device within an array of solar devices that are coupled in series. The solar monitor includes a charge storage element and a charger coupled to the charge storage element to establish a positive voltage and/or a negative voltage on the charge storage element. A switch within the solar monitor is coupled in a shunt configuration with the designated solar device and with a subsequent device in the array. The switch selectively couples the charge storage element to the designated solar device to vary an operating current that flows between the designated solar device and the subsequent solar device. The solar monitor includes a current detector to measure the current of the designated solar device, and a voltage detector to measure the voltage of the designated solar device.

Abstract: A method of phase shifting bits in a digital signal pattern combines a bit-wise phase-shift signal with an external clock signal to produce a perturbed clock signal. The perturbed clock signal is provided to a digital pattern source to generate a shifted digital signal pattern wherein at least one bit is selectively phase-shifted according to the bit-wise phase-shift signal.

Abstract: A method of measuring jitter frequency response includes recovering a clock signal from a data input stream to provide a recovered clock signal and counting the recovered clock signal over a selected time period to provide a recovered clock count. A reference signal is counted over the selected time period to provide a reference signal count. The recovered clock count is compared to the reference signal count and a frequency of the recovered clock signal for the selected time period is calculated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital signal having a modulation format is demodulated, in real time, to extract symbols from the digital signal. The extracted symbols are then mapped to one or more target symbol states of the modulation format, in real time; and the performance of the digital signal is indicated based on the mapping of extracted symbols to the one or more target symbol states. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for asynchronous triggering in a waveform generator comprising a DAC sample clock for generating DAC sample clock signal. The system includes a sequencer clock for generating a sequencer clock signal having a frequency of 1/N of the DAC sample clock. The system also includes an output data generator having I outputs to receive a waveform data stream of samples shifted into the data generator at the rate of the sequencer clock signal. An output multiplexer coupled receives samples from each of the I outputs of the output data generator and outputs the samples as a multiplexed data stream to the DAC. A triggering system receives an asynchronous trigger and splits the signal into an integer multiple M trigger inputs, each trigger input delayed by a DAC sample clock cycle. A shift controller determines a trigger position based on the trigger inputs and shifts a different waveform data stream into the data generator in accordance with the trigger position.

Abstract: A vector modulator calibration system (“VMCS”) for obtaining a calibrated modulated output signal while minimizing spurious output signals from a vector modulator is shown. The VMCS may include a power sensor in signal communication with the vector modulator and a digitizer in signal communication with the power sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods which provide a widely tunable, low-noise, synthesized microwave source with an OEO oscillator.

Abstract: A system and method for asynchronous triggering in a waveform generator comprising a DAC sample clock for generating DAC sample clock signal. The system includes a sequencer clock for generating a sequencer clock signal having a frequency of 1/N of the DAC sample clock. The system also includes an output data generator having I outputs to receive a waveform data stream of samples shifted into the data generator at the rate of the sequencer clock signal. An output multiplexer coupled receives samples from each of the I outputs of the output data generator and outputs the samples as a multiplexed data stream to the DAC. A triggering system receives an asynchronous trigger and splits the signal into an integer multiple M trigger inputs, each trigger input delayed by a DAC sample clock cycle. A shift controller determines a trigger position based on the trigger inputs and shifts a different waveform data stream into the data generator in accordance with the trigger position.