Abstract: A distributed power harvesting system including multiple direct current (DC) power sources with respective DC outputs adapted for interconnection into a 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: A photovoltaic panel with multiple photovoltaic sub-strings including serially-connected photovoltaic cells and having direct current (DC) outputs adapted for interconnection in parallel into a parallel-connected DC power source. A direct current (DC) power converter including input terminals and output terminals is adapted for coupling to the parallel-connected DC power source and for converting an input power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. The direct current (DC) power converter optionally has a control loop configured to set the input power received at the input terminals according to a previously determined criterion. The control loop may be adapted to receive a feedback signal from the input terminals for maximizing the input power. A bypass diode is typically connected in shunt across the input terminals of the converter. The bypass diode functions by passing current during a failure of any of the sub-strings and/or a partial shading of the sub-strings.

Abstract: A method for arc detection in a system including a photovoltaic panel and a load connectible to the photovoltaic panel with a DC power line. The method measures power delivered to the load thereby producing a first measurement result of the power delivered to the load. Power produced by the photovoltaic panel is also measured, thereby producing a second measurement result of power produced by the photovoltaic panel. The first measurement result is compared with the second measurement result thereby producing a differential power measurement result. Upon the differential power measurement result being more than a threshold value, an alarm condition may also be set. The second measurement result may be modulated and transmitted over the DC power line.

Abstract: An apparatus for a power system. The apparatus includes multiple electrical power sources and an enclosure operatively connected to the power sources at multiple input terminals. Multiple loads operatively connect to the enclosure at multiple output terminals by multiple cables. The enclosure includes the input terminals and the output terminals and a controller unit. Multiple selection units operatively connect to the controller unit, multiple power converters are connected to multiple connection paths. The selection units connect to at least one of multiple switches connected in the connection paths. Multiple sensor units are operatively attached to the controller unit which is configured to sense multiple parameters in the connection paths. Responsive to the parameters sensed by the sensor units, the selection units select the connection paths between the electrical power sources and the loads.

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: An power system for a power system. The power system includes multiple electrical power sources and an enclosure operatively connected to the power sources at multiple input terminals. Multiple loads operatively connect to the enclosure at multiple output terminals by multiple cables. The enclosure includes the input terminals and the output terminals and a controller unit. Multiple selection units operatively connect to the controller unit, multiple power converters are connected to multiple connection paths. The selection units connect to at least one of multiple switches connected in the connection paths. Multiple sensor units are operatively attached to the controller unit which is configured to sense multiple parameters in the connection paths. Responsive to the parameters sensed by the sensor units, the selection units select the connection paths between the electrical power sources and the loads.

Abstract: A method for arc detection in a system including a photovoltaic panel and a load connectible to the photovoltaic panel with a DC power line. The method measures power delivered to the load thereby producing a first measurement result of the power delivered to the load. Power produced by the photovoltaic panel is also measured, thereby producing a second measurement result of power produced by the photovoltaic panel. The first measurement result is compared with the second measurement result thereby producing a differential power measurement result. Upon the differential power measurement result being more than a threshold value, an alarm condition may also be set. The second measurement result may be modulated and transmitted over the DC power line.

Abstract: A distributed power system wherein a plurality of power converters are connected in parallel and share the power conversion load according to a prescribed function, but each power converter autonomously determines its share of power conversion. Each power converter operates according to its own power conversion formula/function, such that overall the parallel-connected converters share the power conversion load in a predetermined manner.

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: A photovoltaic panel with multiple photovoltaic sub-strings including serially-connected photovoltaic cells and having direct current (DC) outputs adapted for interconnection in parallel into a parallel-connected DC power source. A direct current (DC) power converter including input terminals and output terminals is adapted for coupling to the parallel-connected DC power source and for converting an input power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. The direct current (DC) power converter optionally has a control loop configured to set the input power received at the input terminals according to a previously determined criterion. The control loop may be adapted to receive a feedback signal from the input terminals for maximizing the input power. A bypass diode is typically connected in shunt across the input terminals of the converter. The bypass diode functions by passing current during a failure of any of the sub-strings and/or a partial shading of the sub-strings.

Abstract: Circuits integrated or integrable with a photovoltaic panel to provide built-in functionality to the photovoltaic panel including safety features such as arc detection and elimination, ground fault detection and elimination, reverse current protection, monitoring of the performance of the photovoltaic panel, transmission of the monitored parameters and theft prevention of the photovoltaic panel. The circuits may avoid power conversion, for instance DC/DC power conversion, may avoid performing maximum power tracking to include a minimum number of components and thereby increase overall reliability.

Abstract: A protection method in a distributed power system including of DC power sources and multiple power modules which include inputs coupled to the DC power sources. The power modules include outputs coupled in series with one or more other power modules to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the string and produces output power. 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 power system for a power system. The power system includes multiple electrical power sources and an enclosure operatively connected to the power sources at multiple input terminals. Multiple loads operatively connect to the enclosure at multiple output terminals by multiple cables. The enclosure includes the input terminals and the output terminals and a controller unit. Multiple selection units operatively connect to the controller unit, multiple power converters are connected to multiple connection paths. The selection units connect to at least one of multiple switches connected in the connection paths. Multiple sensor units are operatively attached to the controller unit which is configured to sense multiple parameters in the connection paths. Responsive to the parameters sensed by the sensor units, the selection units select the connection paths between the electrical power sources and the loads.

Abstract: A power system comprising one or more power generators and a combiner. The system may be electrically connected to or include one or more loads. The combiner may have input terminals that are coupled to outputs of the power generators. The combiner may also have output terminals that are coupled to input(s) of the one or more loads. The power generators may be configured to transfer harvested power to the combiner, and the combiner may be configured to transfer the harvested power to the one or more loads.

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: 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: A method for maintaining reliability of a distributed power system including a power converter having input terminals and output terminals. Input power is received at the input terminals. The input power is converted to an output power at the output terminals. A temperature is measured in or in the environment of the power converter. The power conversion of the input power to the output power may be controlled to maximize the input power by setting at the input terminals the input voltage or the input current according to predetermined criteria. One of the predetermined criteria is configured to reduce the input power based on the temperature signal responsive to the temperature. The adjustment of input power reduces the input voltage and/or input current thereby lowering the temperature of the power converter.

Abstract: A system for providing power from a direct current (DC) source to the power grid. The system includes a first inverter with an input and an output. The input is adapted to connect to the DC source. A first switch disposed between the output and the power grid. A second inverter with a DC terminal and an AC terminal, the AC terminal is adapted to connect in parallel with the output of the first inverter. A battery adapted to connect to the DC terminal of the second inverter. A second switch connected between the DC terminal of the second inverter and the input of the first inverter. The second switch also operatively connects the DC source to the battery. The system may further include a charging circuit adapted to be disposed between the input and the DC terminal and a load adapted to connect to the output.

Abstract: A method of signaling between a photovoltaic module and an inverter module. The inverter module is connected to the photovoltaic module. In an initial mode of operation an initial code is modulated thereby producing an initial signal. The initial signal is transmitted from the inverter module to the photovoltaic module. The initial signal is received by the photovoltaic module. The operating mode is then changed to a normal mode of power conversion, and during the normal mode of operation a control signal is transmitted from the inverter to the photovoltaic module. A control code is demodulated and received from the control signal. The control code is compared with the initial code producing a comparison. The control command of the control signal is validated as a valid control command from the inverter module with the control command only acted upon when the comparison is a positive comparison.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to systems and methods for managing a plurality of loads connected to a plurality of power sources using a switching apparatus. Apparatuses described herein may include multi-throw switches designed for fast and efficient switching of loads. Methods described herein may include selecting one or more loads from a group of loads to connect to one or more alternative power sources, and selecting one or more loads to connect to a main (e.g. utility) electrical grid.