Patents Assigned to Sunpower Corporation
  • Publication number: 20250047231
    Abstract: A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan BRAUNSTEIN, Zachary KINYON, Guillaume CARRE, David MATRAT
  • Patent number: 12132439
    Abstract: A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Braunstein, Zachary Kinyon, Guillaume Carre, David Matrat
  • Patent number: 12119779
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides photovoltaic (PV) module mounting systems and bracket assemblies for securing PV modules to roofs. The photovoltaic module mounting systems may include a roofing panel having a base layer, a flashing panel coupled along an edge of the roofing panel, and a bracket assembly coupled to the roofing panel, where the bracket assembly includes a bracket and a clip, and where the clip is configured to couple with an edge feature of a PV module to secure the PV module to the roofing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan Ely, Sushrut Bapat, Gary Rossi
  • Publication number: 20240322753
    Abstract: Remotely surveying a photovoltaic system site includes receiving a photograph uploaded by a user device; analyzing the photograph using a trained machine learning model; receiving a confidence score from the trained machine learning model; determining if the photograph includes predetermined information, the predetermined information being used to perform a remote photovoltaic (PV) system site survey remotely; and in response to a determination that the photograph does not include the predetermined information, provide specific instructions regarding the missing information, wherein the specific instructions include guidance on how to retake the photograph to capture the predetermined information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob WACHMAN, Terrence BROWN, Bradley FOLTA, Deepesh MAKKAR
  • Publication number: 20240291901
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing fixtures to a mounting structure may include a first fastener, a washer, a mounting bracket, and second fastener. The first fastener may be coupled to the mounting structure through a mounting aperture. The washer may be disposed around shaft of the first fastener between a head of the first fastener and the mounting surface. The mounting bracket may be disposed on top of the first fastener. The second fastener may be disposed through the mounting bracket and coupled to head of the first fastener. The washer may be a sealing washer that dispenses liquid sealant under compressive force to moisture-proof the securement of the first fastener to the mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyle Donald FELDMANN, John Paul KAPLA, Bryan CUSICK
  • Patent number: 12034398
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides junction boxes for use with roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) modules. The junction boxes may include a housing having a plurality of sides, a bottom having an aperture, and a top edge having a top opening, where the top edge has a lip disposed around the top edge and projecting upward from the top edge. The junction boxes may further include a lid removably coupled to the top edge of the housing and a seal disposed on an outer surface of the bottom of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wares, Ethan Ely, Sushrut Bapat, Gary Rossi
  • Patent number: 12028019
    Abstract: Remotely surveying a photovoltaic system site includes receiving a photograph uploaded by a user device; analyzing the photograph using a trained machine learning model; receiving a confidence score from the trained machine learning model; determining if the photograph includes predetermined information, the predetermined information being used to perform a remote photovoltaic (PV) system site survey remotely; and in response to a determination that the photograph does not include the predetermined information, provide specific instructions regarding the missing information, wherein the specific instructions include guidance on how to retake the photograph to capture the predetermined information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob Wachman, Terrence Brown, Bradley Folta, Deepesh Makkar
  • Patent number: 12021388
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides curtailing photovoltaic (PV) power output and autonomous load breaking in a backup mode of an electrical system. The electrical system includes a PV system, an energy storage system having a storage converter, and an energy control system. The energy control system is electrically coupled to the PV system, the energy storage system, and a plurality of backup loads. The electrical system includes an autonomous load breaker electrically coupled to a first backup load. When the energy control system switches from an on-grid mode to the backup mode, the storage converter adjusts the frequency of the power supplied to the backup side of the energy control system to a setpoint frequency that curtails PV power output, and the autonomous load breaker electrically disconnects the first backup load from the energy control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Kuhn, Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: 12015377
    Abstract: Rooftop photovoltaic solar systems and methods for installing interconnection wiring for photovoltaic solar systems. Cabling systems can include cable support stands secured underneath shingles. Cabling systems can include molded rubber raceways mounted using raceway clips secured underneath shingles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Fischer, Kristine Little
  • Publication number: 20240193319
    Abstract: Determining solar panel placement enables sales representatives and homeowners to modify a solar power system by adding or removing solar panels or arrays of solar panels, or changing module type. The user sees the corresponding solar energy production update instantly in a user interface. Determining solar panel placement includes receiving data corresponding to an installation location. A maximum solar panel design is determined based on the installation location. Energy production is determined for a solar panel on each section of a roof of an installation location, and the energy production and energy offset are dynamically displayed in real time when any solar panel or array is selected or deselected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jake WACHMAN, Matt MOONE, Anthony GARZOLINI, Jeff SOUTHARD
  • Patent number: 12003213
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for integrating an energy control system with an electrical system having a utility meter connected to a utility grid, a photovoltaic (PV) system, an energy storage system, and a plurality of electrical loads. The systems and methods include determining a site condition of the electrical system, determining a type of backup configuration for the electrical system based on the determined site condition, and determining a location of at least one of a main circuit breaker, the PV system, a subpanel, and a site current transformer with respect to the energy control system based on the determined site condition and the determined type of backup configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Brian Risi, Andrew Lutkus
  • Patent number: 12003208
    Abstract: A solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having several PV modules mounted on a torque tube is described. The torque tube may include several sections joined by a torque tube coupler. For example, the torque tube coupler may having a medial section and end sections to join to the torque tube sections. The medial section and the torque tube sections may have a same outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Sushrut Bapat, Tyler Grushkowitz, Nicholas James McKibben, Brian Wares
  • Patent number: 12000428
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing fixtures to a mounting structure may include a first fastener, a washer, a mounting bracket, and second fastener. The first fastener may be coupled to the mounting structure through a mounting aperture. The washer may be disposed around shaft of the first fastener between a head of the first fastener and the mounting surface. The mounting bracket may be disposed on top of the first fastener. The second fastener may be disposed through the mounting bracket and coupled to head of the first fastener. The washer may be a sealing washer that dispenses liquid sealant under compressive force to moisture-proof the securement of the first fastener to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyle Donald Feldmann, John Paul Kapla, Bryan Cusick
  • Patent number: 11947880
    Abstract: Determining solar panel placement enables sales representatives and homeowners to modify a solar power system by adding or removing solar panels or arrays of solar panels, or changing module type. The user sees the corresponding solar energy production update instantly in a user interface. Determining solar panel placement includes receiving data corresponding to an installation location. A maximum solar panel design is determined based on the installation location. Energy production is determined for a solar panel on each section of a roof of an installation location, and the energy production and energy offset are dynamically displayed in real time when any solar panel or array is selected or deselected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jake Wachman, Matt Moone, Anthony Garzolini, Jeff Southard
  • Patent number: 11949032
    Abstract: Improved photovoltaic (PV) assemblies for converting solar radiation to electrical energy and methods of installation thereof are disclosed herein. PV arrays comprising a plurality PV modules are also described herein. A PV assembly can comprise at least one PV module having a front side and a back side opposite the front side. A PV module can comprise a plurality of solar cells encapsulated within a PV laminate. In some embodiments, a PV module includes a frame at least partially surrounding the PV laminate. In such embodiments, frame can comprise an outer surface feature. The PV assembly can further comprise at least one spacing device positioned between adjacent PV modules. A spacing device can comprise a spacer body having a predetermined width for defining a predetermined distance or gap between adjacent PV modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: John Paul Kapla, Kyle Donald Feldmann
  • Publication number: 20240075588
    Abstract: An end clamp for installation of a solar module includes a cap member that is installed in an opening of a rail. The end clamp also includes an assembly having a slider member and a base member, and also includes a fastener that attaches the assembly to the cap member. The slider member moves relative to the base member to clamp down on a flange of the solar module based on tightening of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian WARES, Ethan M. ELY
  • Publication number: 20240039465
    Abstract: A solar module skirt assembly includes a skirt that is attached to a frame of a solar module, and a clip to attach the skirt to the solar module. The clip includes a first portion to attach to a frame of the solar module and to the skirt, a second portion to hold a portion of the frame of the solar module and a portion of the skirt, and a fastener to affix the clip to the frame of the solar module and the portion of the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary ROSSI, Ethan ELY
  • Patent number: 11855482
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides energy control systems for whole home and partial home backup with integrated breaker spaces and metering. The energy control system includes a grid interconnection electrically coupled to a utility grid, a backup power interconnection electrically coupled to a backup power source, a backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one backup load, and a non-backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one non-backup load. The energy control system includes a microgrid interconnection device that switches between an on-grid mode to electrically connect the grid interconnection and the backup power interconnection with the backup and non-backup load interconnections and a backup mode to electrically disconnect the grid interconnection and the non-backup load interconnection from the backup power interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Brian Kuhn, Kevin C. Fischer, Udo Uebel, Marc A. Robinson
  • Patent number: D1042512
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron Lawrence, Ahmad H. Hares, Miltiadis Vratimos, Jacob Wachman, Christos Voutsaras
  • Patent number: D1043743
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron Lawrence, Ahmad H. Hares, Miltiadis Vratimos, Jacob Wachman, Christos Voutsaras