Patents by Inventor Greg Beardsworth

Greg Beardsworth has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11894805
    Abstract: Devices for reducing the open circuit voltages of solar systems are described. In one embodiment, a solar system includes a string of a plurality of solar modules having an open circuit voltage. The solar system also includes a device for reducing the open circuit voltage of the string of the plurality of solar modules during an open circuit configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Kraft, Kevin Fischer, Greg Beardsworth, Zachary S. Judkins, Keith Johnston
  • Publication number: 20210359149
    Abstract: A solar tracker including solar modules which include, a frame and a plurality of bifacial solar cells supported by the frame. The solar modules also including a gap formed between two or more of the solar cells, the gap being formed proximate a centerline of the solar modules and configured to a allow passage of light from a first side of the solar modules to a second side of a solar modules, where the light passing through the gap is reflected back onto the plurality of bifacial solar cells and converted to electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventors: Greg Beardsworth, Venkata Rahul Abbaraju, Daniel Shugar
  • Publication number: 20170025995
    Abstract: Devices for reducing the open circuit voltages of solar systems are described. In one embodiment, a solar system includes a string of a plurality of solar modules having an open circuit voltage. The solar system also includes a device for reducing the open circuit voltage of the string of the plurality of solar modules during an open circuit configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Steven M. Kraft, Kevin Fischer, Greg Beardsworth, Zachary S. Judkins, Keith Johnston
  • Patent number: 9472691
    Abstract: Devices for reducing the open circuit voltages of solar systems are described. In one embodiment, a solar system includes a string of a plurality of solar modules having an open circuit voltage. The solar system also includes a device for reducing the open circuit voltage of the string of the plurality of solar modules during an open circuit configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Kraft, Kevin Fischer, Greg Beardsworth, Zachary S. Judkins, Keith Johnston
  • Patent number: 9413288
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Beardsworth, Matt Campbell, Steven M. Kraft, Jason C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20140150846
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Greg Beardsworth, Matt Campbell, Steven M. Kraft, Jason C. Jones
  • Patent number: 8629383
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Beardsworth, Matt Campbell, Steven M. Kraft, Jason C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20130068284
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Greg Beardsworth, Matt Campbell, Steven M. Kraft, Jason C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20130049710
    Abstract: Devices for reducing the open circuit voltages of solar systems are described. In one embodiment, a solar system includes a string of a plurality of solar modules having an open circuit voltage. The solar system also includes a device for reducing the open circuit voltage of the string of the plurality of solar modules during an open circuit configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Steven M. Kraft, Kevin Fischer, Greg Beardsworth, Zachary S. Judkins, Keith Johnston
  • Patent number: 8334489
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Beardsworth, Matt Campbell, Steve Kraft, Jason Jones
  • Publication number: 20110224831
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Greg Beardsworth, Matt Campbell, Steve Kraft, Jason Jones