Abstract: Intelligent safety disconnect switching methods and arrangements for PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels are disclosed. A switching device that is connected between a PV panel and a PV panel string detects a low current condition or an arc fault condition in the PV panel string. The switching device is automatically controlled to disconnect the PV panel from the PV panel string responsive to detection of the low current condition or the arc fault condition. Switching device control could also be responsive to a disconnect command. For example, such a command could be generated by a grid sensor responsive to determining that an inverter, to which the PV panel string is connected, is not connected to an electrical grid.

Abstract: A PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel switching arrangement includes a first switch and a second switch, which in some embodiments are in a DC converter. The first switch is to be coupled between a power system and a first end of a circuit path of the PV panel, and the second switch is to be coupled between (i) a point between the first switch and the power system and (ii) a point between a second end of the circuit path and the power system. The switches are controlled for DC conversion of PV panel output where the circuit path of the PV panel is not to be bypassed, and to disconnect the first end of the circuit path from the power system and to close a bypass circuit path that bypasses the circuit path on a determination that the circuit path of the PV panel is to be bypassed.

Abstract: A gateway controller allows a plurality of individual power generation units coupled to an electrical distribution grid to be controlled in a coordinated fashion. The gateway controller allows control of the plurality of individual power generation units as a single power generation unit. The gateway controller may determine required control parameters of the power generation units that will provide a desired combined behavior, such as combined alternating current injected into the grid, and issues commands to the power generation units based on the determined control parameters.

Abstract: A PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel bypass switching arrangement includes first and second switches. The first switch is to be coupled between a power system and a first end of a circuit path of the PV panel in which PV cells are connected, and is controllable to connect the first end of the circuit path to a power system and to disconnect the first end of the circuit path from the power system. The second switch is to be coupled between (i) a point between the first switch and the power system and (ii) a point between a second end of the circuit path and the power system, and is controllable to open and close a bypass circuit path that bypasses the circuit path. The first and second switches are controlled based on a determination as to whether the circuit path of the PV panel is to be bypassed.

Abstract: Intelligent safety disconnect switching methods and arrangements for PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels are disclosed. A switching device that is connected between a PV panel and a PV panel string detects a low current condition or an arc fault condition in the PV panel string. The switching device is automatically controlled to disconnect the PV panel from the PV panel string responsive to detection of the low current condition or the arc fault condition. Switching device control could also be responsive to a disconnect command. For example, such a command could be generated by a grid sensor responsive to determining that an inverter, to which the PV panel string is connected, is not connected to an electrical grid.

Abstract: Intelligent safety disconnect switching methods and arrangements for PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels are disclosed. A determination is made as to whether a reconnect condition, for reconnecting a PV panel to a power system from which the PV panel is disconnected, is satisfied. The PV panel is automatically reconnected to the power system responsive to determining that the reconnect condition is satisfied. A determination is then made as to whether a power system operating condition is satisfied on reconnection of the PV panel, and the PV panel is automatically disconnected from the power system responsive to determining that the power system operating condition is not satisfied on reconnection of the PV panel.

Abstract: Self forming microgrids are disclosed. An electrical microgrid includes multiple power domains and power cables coupling the power domains together. Each power domain includes an intelligent distribution panel, and the power domains are coupled to the power cables through the intelligent distribution panels. An intelligent distribution panel includes sockets, an internal power bus coupled to the sockets, and a controller. The sockets enable connection of the intelligent distribution panel to one or more components within a power domain and to one or more other power domains through respective power connections. Power connections between power domains are through power cables coupled to the sockets. The controller is also coupled to the sockets, to control connectivity of the one or more components and the respective power connections with the internal power bus.

Abstract: A method for converting electrical power includes providing a modular power converter having a mode control module and a plurality of autonomously operating power conversion modules operatively connected to a first power bus; selecting, by the mode control module, individual modes of operation for the plurality of power conversion modules to meet a power conversion requirement; receiving electrical power of a first power type from the first power bus by at least one of the power conversion modules; and converting the received electrical power into electrical power of a second power type by the at least one power conversion module.

Abstract: A PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel switching arrangement includes a first switch and a second switch, which in some embodiments are in a DC converter. The first switch is to be coupled between a power system and a first end of a circuit path of the PV panel, and the second switch is to be coupled between (i) a point between the first switch and the power system and (ii) a point between a second end of the circuit path and the power system. The switches are controlled for DC conversion of PV panel output where the circuit path of the PV panel is not to be bypassed, and to disconnect the first end of the circuit path from the power system and to close a bypass circuit path that bypasses the circuit path on a determination that the circuit path of the PV panel is to be bypassed.

Abstract: A gateway controller allows a plurality of individual power generation units coupled to an electrical distribution grid to be controlled in a coordinated fashion. The gateway controller allows control of the plurality of individual power generation units as a single power generation unit. The gateway controller may determine required control parameters of the power generation units that will provide a desired combined behavior, such as combined alternating current injected into the grid, and issues commands to the power generation units based on the determined control parameters.

Abstract: Intelligent safety disconnect switching methods and arrangements for PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels are disclosed. A determination is made as to whether a reconnect condition, for reconnecting a PV panel to a power system from which the PV panel is disconnected, is satisfied. The PV panel is automatically reconnected to the power system responsive to determining that the reconnect condition is satisfied. A determination is then made as to whether a power system operating condition is satisfied on reconnection of the PV panel, and the PV panel is automatically disconnected from the power system responsive to determining that the power system operating condition is not satisfied on reconnection of the PV panel.

Abstract: A PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel bypass switching arrangement includes first and second switches. The first switch is to be coupled between a power system and a first end of a circuit path of the PV panel in which a PV cells are connected, and is controllable to connect the first end of the circuit path to a power system and to disconnect the first end of the circuit path from the power system. The second switch is to be coupled between (i) a point between the first switch and the power system and (ii) a point between a second end of the circuit path and the power system, and is controllable to open and close a bypass circuit path that bypasses the circuit path. The first and second switches are controlled based on a determination as to whether the circuit path of the PV panel is to be bypassed.