Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a photovoltaic module and an inverter having an input capacitor are presented. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller coupled between the inverter and the photovoltaic module. The MPPT controller includes a direct current (DC) converter configured to reduce, in a forward buck mode, a voltage of the photovoltaic module, to supply power from the photovoltaic module to the input capacitor of the inverter. The photovoltaic system also includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the DC converter to allow the photovoltaic module to operate at a maximum power point, and to increase, in a reverse boost mode, a voltage of the input capacitor of the inverter, to dissipate power from the input capacitor in the photovoltaic module, and the MPPT controller is configured to, based upon one or more triggers.

Abstract: An arc detection and intervention system for a solar energy system. One or more arc detectors are strategically located among strings of solar panels. In conjunction with local management units (LMUs), arcs can be isolated and affected panels disconnected from the solar energy system.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules; an inverter; and a controller configured to generate a signal to be transmitted to a local management unit connected to at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic modules. A first local management unit is configured to receive a communication signal from the controller. The first local management unit is configured to output a message to all other connected local management units. A second local management unit is configured to receive the communication signal from the first local management unit and to output a second message to the first local management unit. The controller is configured to identify a location of the second local management unit using the second message sent to the first local management unit and store the location in a memory of the controller.

Abstract: A system includes a controller configured to generate a communication signal whose modulation represents coded information to be transmitted to a local management unit connected to a photovoltaic module. The system includes a first local management unit configured to receive a first input communication current from a transmitter and output a first value of the first input communication current to the controller. The system includes a second local management unit configured to receive a second input communication current from the transmitter and output a second value of the second input communication current to the controller. The controller is configured to receive the first value, the second value, order the first value and the second value to generate an ordered list; and store the ordered list in a memory of the controller. The ordered list represents a relative location of the first local management unit and the second local management unit compared to the transmitter.

Abstract: A system may include a charging station configured to charge an electric vehicle. The charging station includes a DC input configured to receive a DC input power. The charging station includes a DC output configured to be connected to an electric vehicle. The charging station is a DC-DC charging station.

Abstract: A transmitter having: an oscillator to generate a clock signal and synthesize frequencies for modulating a message to generate first signals to a first direct current power line, and a control circuit to adjust timing of the first signals in synchronization with second signals transmitted in a second direct current power line disposed in a vicinity of the first direct current power line, by synchronizing phase of the first and second signals or by transmitting the first and the second signals in separate time windows.

Abstract: A transmitter having: an oscillator to generate a clock signal and synthesize frequencies for modulating a message to generate first signals to a first direct current power line, and a control circuit to adjust timing of the first signals in synchronization with second signals transmitted in a second direct current power line disposed in a vicinity of the first direct current power line, by synchronizing phase of the first and second signals or by transmitting the first and the second signals in separate time windows.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shut-down of a photovoltaic system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes: communicating, via a central controller, with a plurality of local management units (LMUs), each of the LMUs coupled to control a respective solar module; receiving, via the central controller, a shut-down signal from a user device (e.g., a hand-held device, a computer, or a wireless switch unit); and in response to receiving the shut-down signal, shutting down operation of the respective solar module for each of the LMUs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a photovoltaic module and an inverter having an input capacitor are presented. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller coupled between the inverter and the photovoltaic module. The MPPT controller includes a direct current (DC) converter configured to reduce, in a forward buck mode, a voltage of the photovoltaic module, to supply power from the photovoltaic module to the input capacitor of the inverter. The photovoltaic system also includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the DC converter to allow the photovoltaic module to operate at a maximum power point, and to increase, in a reverse boost mode, a voltage of the input capacitor of the inverter, to dissipate power from the input capacitor in the photovoltaic module, and the MPPT controller is configured to, based upon one or more triggers.

Abstract: An arc detection and intervention system for a solar energy system. One or more arc detectors are strategically located among strings of solar panels. In conjunction with local management units (LMUs), arcs can be isolated and affected panels disconnected from the solar energy system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shut-down of a photovoltaic system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes: communicating, via a central controller, with a plurality of local management units (LMUs), each of the LMUs coupled to control a respective solar module; receiving, via the central controller, a shut-down signal from a user device (e.g., a hand-held device, a computer, or a wireless switch unit); and in response to receiving the shut-down signal, shutting down operation of the respective solar module for each of the LMUs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a photovoltaic module and an inverter having an input capacitor are presented. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller coupled between the inverter and the photovoltaic module. The MPPT controller includes a direct current (DC) converter configured to reduce, in a forward buck mode, a voltage of the photovoltaic module, to supply power from the photovoltaic module to the input capacitor of the inverter. The photovoltaic system also includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the DC converter to allow the photovoltaic module to operate at a maximum power point, and to increase, in a reverse boost mode, a voltage of the input capacitor of the inverter, to dissipate power from the input capacitor in the photovoltaic module, and the MPPT controller is configured to, based upon one or more triggers.

Abstract: An arc detection and intervention system for a solar energy system. One or more arc detectors are strategically located among strings of solar panels. In conjunction with local management units (LMUs), arcs can be isolated and affected panels disconnected from the solar energy system.

Abstract: A transmitter includes a modulator configured to digitally generate a communication signal whose modulation represents coded information to be transmitted to a local management unit. The transmitter can include a control unit configured to generate harmonic frequencies that are in-phase, inverted, or out-of-phase from a raw signal using fundamental frequencies for modulation.

Abstract: An arc detection and intervention system for a solar energy system. One or more arc detectors are strategically located among strings of solar panels. In conjunction with local management units (LMUs), arcs can be isolated and affected panels disconnected from the solar energy system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a photovoltaic module and an inverter having an input capacitor are presented. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller coupled between the inverter and the photovoltaic module. The MPPT controller includes a direct current (DC) converter configured to reduce, in a forward buck mode, a voltage of the photovoltaic module, to supply power from the photovoltaic module to the input capacitor of the inverter. The photovoltaic system also includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the DC converter to allow the photovoltaic module to operate at a maximum power point, and to increase, in a reverse boost mode, a voltage of the input capacitor of the inverter, to dissipate power from the input capacitor in the photovoltaic module, and the MPPT controller is configured to, based upon one or more triggers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a photovoltaic module and an inverter having an input capacitor are presented. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller coupled between the inverter and the photovoltaic module. The MPPT controller includes a direct current (DC) converter configured to reduce, in a forward buck mode, a voltage of the photovoltaic module, to supply power from the photovoltaic module to the input capacitor of the inverter. The photovoltaic system also includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the DC converter to allow the photovoltaic module to operate at a maximum power point, and to increase, in a reverse boost mode, a voltage of the input capacitor of the inverter, to dissipate power from the input capacitor in the photovoltaic module, and the MPPT controller is configured to, based upon one or more triggers.

Abstract: An arc detection and intervention system for a solar energy system. One or more arc detectors are strategically located among strings of solar panels. In conjunction with local management units (LMUs), arcs can be isolated and affected panels disconnected from the solar energy system.

Abstract: A cascading regulation system connected to a number of serially connected power sources and uses multiple regulators having different cutoff voltages to provide an output for the local power consumption unit. Each of the regulators is connected to a subset of serially connected power sources and so configured that if the voltage generated at the lowest tap is no longer sufficient for a stable supply to the local power consumption unit, the next higher regulator takes over, and the output voltage drops in small steps reflective of that takeover of the next higher tap. When the voltage generated across a subsection grows, a lower connected tap may take over again, producing a slightly higher output voltage for the local power consumption unit. The cutover steps are chosen such that the output voltage range matches the range given as the acceptable input range for the local power consumption unit.

Abstract: A transmitter having: an oscillator to generate a clock signal and synthesize frequencies for modulating a message to generate first signals to a first direct current power line, and a control circuit to adjust timing of the first signals in synchronization with second signals transmitted in a second direct current power line disposed in a vicinity of the first direct current power line, by synchronizing phase of the first and second signals or by transmitting the first and the second signals in separate time windows.