Abstract: An apparatus may include a first switch leg connected between a first input terminal and a first output terminal, the first switch leg comprising serially connected switches. The apparatus may also include a second switch leg connected between a second input terminal and the first output terminal, the second switch leg comprising serially connected switches. The apparatus may further include a third switch leg connected between an input voltage midpoint and the first output terminal. A control circuit may control the first switch leg, the second switch leg and the third switch leg.

Abstract: Distributed maximum power point tracking systems, structures, and processes are provided for power generation structures, such as for but not limited to a solar panel arrays. In an exemplary solar panel string structure, distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) modules are provided, such as integrated into or retrofitted for each solar panel. The DMPPT modules provide panel level control for startup, operation, monitoring, and shutdown, and further provide flexible design and operation for strings of multiple panels. The strings are typically linked in parallel to a combiner box, and then toward and enhanced inverter module, which is typically connected to a power grid. Enhanced inverters are controllable either locally or remotely, wherein system status is readily determined, and operation of one or more sections of the system are readily controlled. The system provides increased operation time, and increased power production and efficiency, over a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Abstract: A distributed power harvesting system including multiple direct current (DC) power sources with respective DC outputs adapted for interconnection into an interconnected DC power source output. A converter includes input terminals adapted for coupling to the interconnected DC power source output. A circuit loop sets the voltage and current at the input terminals of the converter according to predetermined criteria. A power conversion portion converts the power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. A power supplier is coupled to the output terminals. The power supplier includes a control part for maintaining the input to the power supplier at a predetermined value. The control part maintains the input voltage and/or input current to the power supplier at a predetermined value.

Abstract: When a power outage occurs, an uninterruptable power supplies may lose all grid connections including a neutral connection which may be connected to ground. To avoid the loss of a ground connection to the power circuits of the UPS, a switch unit may be used to selectively connect a neutral conductor of the circuit to a ground terminal. The switch unit may comprise a power relay, a fast switch device (FSD), and a controller. The power relay and FSD may be connected in series between the neutral conductor of the circuit and a ground terminal. The controller may be configured to: close the FSD when the voltage between ground and neutral (Vng) goes above a first threshold, open the FSD when the voltage between any grid connection and neutral (Vg) goes above a second threshold, and close the FSD when Vg is below the second threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a DC-to-AC converter comprising a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The apparatus also includes a DC-to-DC converter comprising a third output. The DC-to-AC converter is configured to receive a DC input voltage from a DC power source, and to produce a first alternating output voltage at the first output terminal, and a second alternating output voltage at the second output terminal. The DC-to-DC converter is configured receive a DC input voltage from the DC power source, and to step down the DC input voltage at the third output.

Abstract: A power harvesting system including multiple parallel-connected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string includes a series-connection of photovoltaic panels. Multiple voltage-compensation circuits may be connected in series respectively with the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be configured to provide respective compensation voltages to the photovoltaic strings to maximize power harvested from the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be include respective inputs which may be connected to a source of power and respective outputs which may be connected in series with the photovoltaic strings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for operation of a switched capacitor converter (SCC). In some variations, the SCC includes a resonant circuit including an inductor. Aspects of the disclosure include methods for controlling the SCC switches to decrease switching losses associated with operating the converter and to increase efficiency of the SCC. According to some aspects, a control method is used to switch converter switches under zero-voltage conditions. According to some aspects, a control method is used to switch converter switches under zero-current conditions.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for an inverter which receives a direct current (DC) input, and outputs an alternating current (AC) output. A high AC voltage is achieved by serially connecting AC outputs from inversion modules included in the inverter. Multiple inversion stages are serially connected in order to form the AC output. Windings around a common core of the inverter may cause ripple currents to be shared by the inversion modules. Utilizing a common core enables reducing low frequency ripple currents.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a smart energy home. The smart energy home may promote optimization of consumption of electricity by appliances and other consumer devices. Prioritization of where and when electricity may be provided to various appliances, chargers, or other devices which draw electrical power may be managed by the smart energy home. Information concerning prevailing weather conditions and contemporaneous electrical tariffs may be utilized in processes executed by the smart energy home. Related systems, apparatuses, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A multi-level inverter having at least two banks, each bank containing a plurality of low voltage MOSFET transistors. A processor configured to switch the plurality of low voltage MOSFET transistors in each bank to switch at multiple times during each cycle.

Abstract: A method includes plugging a plug into a socket, wherein the plugging includes pushing the plug into the socket at least up to a point that a latch clicks into the plug and locks the plug in place. Pressing down on a lever that rotates around an axis causes the lever to be pushed down. This results in the latch moving away from the plug and unlocking the plug from the socket, to thereby allow the plug to be separated from the socket.

Abstract: A fault identification may be triggered by a component of a power generation system (PGS), such as a hardware component, a controller of a hardware component, a device of the PGS, a computer connected to the PGS, a computer configured to monitor the PGS, and/or the like. The fault identification may be the result of a failure of a component of the PGS, a future failure of a component of the PGS, a routine maintenance of the PGS, and/or the like. The fault is converted to a notification on a user interface using a mapping of faults, root-causes, notification rules, and/or the like. The conversion may use one or more lookup tables and/or formulas for determining the impact of the fault on the PGS, and/or the like.

Abstract: A power device includes one or more electrical components, the electrical components including one or more physical attribute. The power device includes one or more sensors configured to monitor the attribute(s). The power device includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including one or more alerting rule. The power device includes one or more processors configured for retrieving the one or more alerting rule from the storage medium. The processors are configured for monitoring one or more sensor value from the sensor(s), wherein the sensor values are associated with the attribute(s). The processors are configured for evaluating the at least one alerting rule during the monitoring, and when the one or more alerting rule results in a pending failure condition, sending a notification to a user.

Abstract: A method for testing a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module. The electronic module includes an input attached to the photovoltaic panel and a power output. The method activates a bypass to the electronic module. The bypass provides a low impedance path between the input and the output of the electronic module. A current is injected into the electronic module thereby compensating for the presence of the electronic module during the testing. The current may be previously determined by measuring a circuit parameter of the electronic module. The circuit parameter may be impedance, inductance, resistance or capacitance.

Abstract: Apparatuses for locking PV panels to support structures, e.g., support beams. The support beams may be designed and built with corresponding connection elements, e.g., slots and tabs, which may be used to enable locking and unlocking of the PV panels on the support beams. Once in place, a ferromagnetic flap may be put into an engaged position, thereby closing and engaging a panel locking mechanism. The ferromagnetic flap may be lifted by using a magnet. The magnet may be may be embedded in a suction cup device which is designed to lift and maneuver an object with a relatively flat surface, e.g. a glass pane. The suction cup device may, when suction is applied, be attached to glass covering the PV panels, and thus the suction cup device may be used to move the PV panels.

Abstract: A distributed power system including multiple DC power sources and multiple power modules. The power modules include inputs coupled respectively to the DC power sources and outputs coupled in series to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the serial string to output power. A signaling mechanism between the inverter and the power module is adapted for controlling operation of the power modules. Also, for a protection method in the distributed power system, when the inverter stops production of the output power, each of the power modules is shut down and thereby the power input to the inverter is ceased.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure designed to house electronics and a ventilation plug fastened to an exterior of the enclosure, the ventilation plug being adapted for field testing hermeticity.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for thermal fuse circuit breakers. The thermal fuses described herein may be disposed in a connector, so that, should an overheating condition occur, for example, due to an arc discharge across or inside of the connector, the heat of the arc discharge melts a portion of the fuse, thereby preventing a potentially catastrophic event, such as fire, or damage to a component which may be more expensive than the thermal fuse itself.

Abstract: An apparatus having a conducting probe configured to couple with an electrical conductor of an electrical terminal. The apparatus has a sensor in contact with the conducting probe. The apparatus has a controller electrically coupled to the sensor, where the controller is configured to monitor the sensor values, and when the sensor values comply with a monitoring rule associated with a hazardous condition, the controller is configured to initiate an action to mitigate the hazardous condition.