Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are provided wherein inverter topologies and inverter control employ primary and secondary windings with a half-bridge circuit and an unfolding bridge circuit positioned between the second winding and an AC grid. Certain topologies may employ control circuits for controlling the bridges suitable for a phase angle of the AC grid.

Abstract: A multi-inverter system with at least a string of inverters sharing a DC bus and outputting to a shared AC bus. Inverters are hot-swappable and configured to be turned on or off during powered cycles. Central control may comprise reducing power point tracking redundancies or promoting other operational changes at individual inverters of a group.

Abstract: Reduction as well as elimination of the use of discrete inductors or other filtering components for photovoltaic (PV) Module-Level Power Electronics (MLPE) is provided. This reduction may serve to promote two-dimensional circuit topology designs of MLPEs as well as promote efficiencies and reliability linked to diminished or eliminated inductor, or other filtering component(s), presence or use in MLPEs or related components or systems.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system includes module-level power electronic (MLPE) devices that produce energy. The PV system includes a gateway to receive and send data to MLPE devices. The gateway also connects the PV system with a network, such as a local area network, that allows access to the Internet. The gateway provides functionality within the PV system to perform various processes to improve operation of MLPE devices.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) assemblies and modules for converting solar radiation to electrical energy are disclosed. A PV module comprises a plurality of PV or solar cells for generating DC power. In some embodiments, the plurality of solar cells are encapsulated within a PV laminate. A PV assembly comprises an electronic component assembly coupled to the PV module. The electronic component assembly comprises an enclosure defining an interior region and a power conditioning circuit within the interior region of the enclosure. The power conditioning circuit comprises at least one electronic component for conditioning power generated by the plurality of solar cells. The electronic component assembly comprises a first electrical conduit for inputting direct current (DC) generated by the plurality of solar cells to the power conditioning circuit. The electronic component assembly further comprises a second electrical conduit for outputting conditioned power from the power conditioning circuit.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are provided wherein inverter topologies and inverter control employ primary and secondary windings with a half-bridge circuit and an unfolding bridge circuit positioned between the second winding and an AC grid. Certain topologies may employ control circuits for controlling the bridges suitable for a phase angle of the AC grid.

Abstract: Electrical component location is provided. Employed location techniques may include providing a cycling signal, having components to be located sense the cycling signal at the same time, report back the sensed signal, and determining relative locations for one or more of the components using the sensed signals reported by the components.

Abstract: A multi-inverter system with at least a string of inverters sharing a DC bus and outputting to a shared AC bus. Inverters are hot-swappable and configured to be turned on or off during powered cycles. Central control may comprise reducing power point tracking redundancies or promoting other operational changes at individual inverters of a group.

Abstract: Communicating across a power transformer is provided. Processes can include outputting a cyclical voltage at an alternating frequency across a multiple winding transformer and modulating the frequency of the alternating voltage to provide communication across the transformer. Devices and systems can also be employed with applicable features and designs.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) module system includes branch circuits and a main service panel to receive power from the branch circuits. A photovoltaic (PV) supervisor is located between the branch circuits and the panel. The PV supervisor aggregates the power from the branch circuits. The PV supervisor also performs a nonredundant operational function for one or more of the branch circuits. The PV supervisor includes a gateway device to permit control of the operational functions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are provided wherein inverter topologies and inverter control employ primary and secondary windings with a half-bridge circuit and an unfolding bridge circuit positioned between the second winding and an AC grid. Certain topologies may employ control circuits for controlling the bridges suitable for a phase angle of the AC grid.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for communicating with a power inverter of an array of inverters includes transmitting a relay message from an inverter array controller to a relay inverter in response to failing to receive a response from at least one power inverter of the array. The relay inverter is configured to retransmit a message from the inverter array controller to a non-responsive power inverter of the array of inverters in response to receiving the relay message. The relay inverter may subsequently retransmit a reply received from the non-responsive power inverter to the inverter array controller or to another power inverter of the array of inverters.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system includes a system control module that determines the presence of a microinverter chain termination end cap. The end cap includes an embedded circuit. The embedded circuit includes components having resistive, reactive, or impedance values. A signal source provides a signal through the microinverter chain. A parameter for a sensed signal detected by the system control module is used to determine the presence of the end cap using a change between the parameter for the sense signal and a reference parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.

Abstract: An electric system includes a local power controller and solar panel system that includes a plurality of solar modules on one or more branch circuits. A method for commissioning the electric system includes an installer using a commissioning device to send and receive information from a remote system and the local power controller performing an automatic self-test of the electric system. The results of the self-test may be packaged with photographs and measurements of the electric system and sent to a remote system where an inspector can inspect the electric system remotely. After receiving approval by the inspector, the local power controller may automatically activate each branch circuit of the electric system and thus enabling the electric system to generate electricity.

Abstract: An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.

Abstract: Technologies for communicating information from an inverter configured for the conversion of direct current (DC) power generated from an alternative source to alternating current (AC) power are disclosed. The technologies include determining information to be transmitted from the inverter over a power line cable connected to the inverter and controlling the operation of an output converter of the inverter as a function of the information to be transmitted to cause the output converter to generate an output waveform having the information modulated thereon.

Abstract: Location functionality to determine the geospatial location of a PV module is described. This functionality may be performed at the PV module site itself as well as remote from the PV module site. The location functionality may involve the analysis of data collected from the location of the PV module or modules being analyzed as well as data from locations of other PV modules, which are not being analyzed. This data, from other PV modules may be gathered, recorded, and used as a benchmark, or for some other purpose in embodiments.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system includes module-level power electronic (MLPE) devices that produce energy. The PV system includes a gateway to receive and send data to MLPE devices. The gateway also connects the PV system with a network, such as a local area network, that allows access to the Internet. The gateway provides functionality within the PV system to perform various processes to improve operation of MLPE devices.

Abstract: Communicating across a power transformer is provided. Processes can include outputting a cyclical voltage at an alternating frequency across a multiple winding transformer and modulating the frequency of the alternating voltage to provide communication across the transformer. Devices and systems can also be employed with applicable features and designs.