Abstract: The invention relates to a holding system (1) for mounting a photovoltaic module (6) to a base (8) by means of ground supports (2, 2a, 44, 44a) which comprise a bearing head (4, 4a, 50, 50a), a ground support body (22) and a bearing surface (28, 48) on the bottom side which counteracts a penetration of the ground supports into the base (8), wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) comprise on their head side a bearing plate (14, 14?, 14a, 14a?, 54, 54?, 54a, 54a?) that is disposed at a slanted angle (?) in relation to the base (8), and wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are provided and prepared such that, in the mounted state, the bearing plates (14, 14?, 14a, 14a?, 54, 54?, 54a, 54a?) of a ground support pair (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are spaced apart from each other vertically in relation to the base (8) and from each other horizontally in adjustment to the photovoltaic module (6) and that they are aligned with each other at least in essence.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a photovoltaic system for feeding a medium-voltage grid, wherein the photovoltaic system has a photovoltaic generator including a plurality of photovoltaic modules, at least one inverter and at least one medium-voltage transformer. The medium-voltage transformer is connected on the primary side directly to a low-voltage AC output of the inverter, the inverter is connected to the photovoltaic generator via a DC input, and the inverter permits reverse currents from the low-voltage AC output to the DC input. The method is characterized by the fact that in the event that there is insufficient generation of electric power for the feed by the photovoltaic modules, the inverter remains connected on the AC side to the medium-voltage grid via the medium-voltage transformer, and remains connected on the DC side to the photovoltaic generator.

Abstract: A method for checking the operation of a photovoltaic module of a photovoltaic power station. The module has a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a number of solar cells, in particular thin-layer solar cells. An electric field emitted by the photovoltaic module as a result of solar radiation is measured at an exposed measurement location during the operation of the power station and the electrical voltage present between the positive terminal and the negative terminal is determined from the measured electric field. A corresponding measuring instrument has a sensor to be placed near the photovoltaic module so as to measure the electric field strength. A rod or wand may be used to position the sensor, or a robot may be configured for automatic travel on the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system has a plurality of subsystems, each with a photovoltaic generator and an associated inverter. The inverter has a control element for setting the maximum power point of its subsystem. A battery is connectible in parallel with the photovoltaic generator. The inverters are connectible to a power grid, which is operated by a utility operator. When a control device receives an emergency signal from the utility operator indicating impending instability of the grid, the following is initiated: If the battery voltage is above the current voltage as set by the MPP control element, the battery is immediately connected to the input of the inverter while the generator remains connected to the inverter. If the battery voltage is below the current voltage the battery connection is delayed until the MPP control element has adjusted the voltage. Then the voltage is further lowered to generate a discharge current from the battery.

Abstract: A method for operating a photovoltaic system provides, with the turning off of the otherwise adjusted regulation to the maximum power point MPP, to make a selective mismatching at the inverter, in order to cause a battery current, which is added to the system current. As a result, an additional energy source to maintain a minimum feed power is achieved during a rapidly changing cloud pattern.

Abstract: A housing having three side walls and a cover is provided, wherein an opening for introducing a pipe is formed in one of the side walls. The side walls are arranged in a U-shape, with the opening being provided in the side wall forming the first side thereof, and with a pipe section that aligns with the opening being connectable to the second side forming the opposite side wall thereof. The cross-section of the pipe section, in particular its diameter, is larger or smaller than the cross-section of the pipe. As a result, the pipe and the pipe section can be slid one inside the other.

Abstract: During operation of at least one power generator (EE) in a power supply network, a reactive power transfer between the two upper voltage levels (1, 2) is sensed at a first transformer (T1) connecting these levels, and the voltage at a first network connection point (5) at the lowest voltage level (3) is ascertained. The amount of a reactive power demand served by the power generator (EE) is calculated as a function of the ascertained voltage value in order to maintain the voltage ascertained at the lowest voltage level (3) within a predefinable voltage range, wherein a means (WR) of the power generator (EE) is activated for a reactive power draw or a reactive power delivery, based on the calculated reactive power demand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for disintegrating a recyclable item in a material-selective manner and using the electrohydraulic effect, an electric discharge being generated, in a container filled with a liquid, using a pulsed current source and within an underwater spark gab between a container base-side electrode and at least one container cover-side electrode that points towards the first electrode, with electric discharge having an average field strength of less than or equal to 5 kV/mm and a pulse or discharge energy of greater than 10 J, and being generated at least substantially in the liquid. In the container, the recyclable item lies partially in the underwater spark gab on the container base-side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding system (1) for mounting a photovoltaic module (6) to a base (8) by means of ground supports (2, 2a, 44, 44a) which comprise a bearing head (4, 4a, 50, 50a), a ground support body (22) and a bearing surface (28, 48) on the bottom side which counteracts a penetration of the ground supports into the base (8), wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) comprise on their head side a bearing plate (14, 14?, 14a, 14a?, 54, 54?, 54a, 54?) that is disposed at a slanted angle (?) in relation to the base (8), and wherein the ground supports (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are provided and prepared such that, in the mounted state, the bearing plates (14, 14?, 14a, 14a?, 54, 54?, 54a, 54?) of a ground support pair (2, 2a, 46, 46a) are spaced apart from each other vertically in relation to the base (8) and from each other horizontally in adjustment to the photovoltaic module (6) and that they are aligned with each other at least in essence.

Abstract: A photovoltaic generator is provided that has at least one string of multiple series-connected photovoltaic modules, each of which has a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic cells. One quarter to one half of all photovoltaic modules of the at least one string can be short-circuited by means of a switch. Activation of the switch takes place when a predefined voltage value across the string is exceeded. The shorting switch is only present in some of the arrays making up the photovoltaic generator, which reduces cabling costs. Because of the parallel connection of the arrays, the voltage of the arrays without shorting switches is drawn down to a lower voltage that is safe for the inverter.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system has a plurality of subsystems, each with a photovoltaic generator and an associated inverter. The inverter has a control element for setting the maximum power point of its subsystem. A battery is connectible in parallel with the photovoltaic generator. The inverters are connectible to a power grid, which is operated by a utility operator. When a control device receives an emergency signal from the utility operator indicating impending instability of the grid, the following is initiated: If the battery voltage is above the current voltage as set by the MPP control element, the battery is immediately connected to the input of the inverter while the generator remains connected to the inverter. If the battery voltage is below the current voltage the battery connection is delayed until the MPP control element has adjusted the voltage. Then the voltage is further lowered to generate a discharge current from the battery.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system having a photovoltaic generator, whose strings with series-connected photovoltaic modules have a positive pole and a negative pole, and with an inverter whose DC input is connected to the two poles. The voltage of the positive pole and/or of the negative pole is measured with respect to ground, and a first switching element located between the positive pole and the DC input of the inverter and/or a second switching element located between the negative pole and the DC input of the inverter is opened, while a third switching element located between the positive pole and the negative pole is closed, when the voltage of the positive pole or of the negative pole exceeds a predefined first or second limit value.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic modules which are electrically connected to a string or to multiple parallel-connected strings and form a PV generator. The first string end forms the negative pole of the photovoltaic generator, and the second string end forms the positive pole. A voltage reduction device is provided with the aid of which the potential of the negative pole is lowered to ground. Advantages with regard to the insulation class of the connecting cable used are also provided.

Abstract: A method for checking the operation of a photovoltaic module of a photovoltaic power station. The module has a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a number of solar cells, in particular thin-layer solar cells. An electric field emitted by the photovoltaic module as a result of solar radiation is measured at an exposed measurement location during the operation of the power station and the electrical voltage present between the positive terminal and the negative terminal is determined from the measured electric field. A corresponding measuring instrument has a sensor to be placed near the photovoltaic module so as to measure the electric field strength. A rod or wand may be used to position the sensor, or a robot may be configured for automatic travel on the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A method for storing energy using a combined heat and pressure storage device, includes mixing a gaseous first component and a liquid second component in an initial first step at a first pressure/temperature point to form a working medium. The working medium is compressed in a following step in such a way that the working medium has a second pressure/temperature point, at which the second component is at least partially gaseous. The compressed working medium is led into the combined heat and pressure storage device and stored there. In order to recover the energy, the working medium is expanded, whereupon the second component is at least partially liquefied. An apparatus for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and a device for carrying out the method are disclosed in order to aid in the search for faulty photovoltaic modules. In a photovoltaic system comprising multiple PV units electrically connected in parallel, each PV unit is assigned its own fixed current sensor. Furthermore, each PV unit can be removed from the parallel circuit by a switching device.

Abstract: A measuring method for determining an output drop of a PV unit is provided. The PV unit is arranged within a photovoltaic system comprising a plurality of electrically parallel-connected PV units. Each PV unit can be removed from the parallel circuit by a switching device. Further, a total current measuring device for measuring the total current through all PV units of the parallel circuit is provided. The defective PV unit is determined in an evaluation unit by the connection and disconnection of a disconnect switch.

Abstract: In a method for forecasting shadowing of a photovoltaic (PV) system due to cloud formation or movement, part of the firmament is imaged with fisheye optics onto the input optics of a digital camera. Pixel groups associated with luminous intensity ranges are formed. The spatial arrangement of the groups is analyzed to forecast shadowing of a photovoltaic system. A line extending from the PV system to the sun is formed and is continuously tracked. A reference line located inside a region around the line is formed. Passage of clouds across a reference line is analyzed. The result of the analysis is used to increase the electric power from the PV system to a minimum value through supply of additional backup energy or to reduce the electric power consumption by disconnecting users to ensure that key users do not experience a drop in supplied power below a minimum value.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes an inverter, a photovoltaic generator with a plurality of serially connected photovoltaic modules, said photovoltaic generator connected to the inverter by an electrical supply line, a controllable fuse interconnected in the electrical supply line between the inverter and the photovoltaic generator and having a signal input, and a voltage-dependent resistor connected between the signal input of the controllable fuse and the electrical supply line and generating a control signal which triggers the controllable fuse responsive to the control signal and interrupts the electrical supply line. The controllable fuse can be used to disconnect the electrical connection of the photovoltaic system to the inverter when a switch short-circuiting one or more modules of the photovoltaic generator malfunctions. The arrangement permits operation of photovoltaic system at an operating voltage of close to 1000 V, thereby allowing use of thinner cables.