Abstract: A shut-down apparatus for a string of photovoltaic panels electrically connected in series wherein it comprises a plurality of control modules comprising: an initial control module operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel; one or more intermediate control modules, each operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel; a final control module operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel. Each control module is adapted to cause the shut-down of a corresponding photovoltaic panel in response to a received input shut-down signal, said control modules sequentially receiving said input shut-down signals at subsequent shut-down instants, each pair of subsequent shut-down instants being separated by a corresponding time delay.

Abstract: An inverter for a photovoltaic plant, which includes: a frame structure defining an internal volume and providing mechanical support to one or more components of the inverter; an inverter section including one or more first electronic boards, one or more second electronic boards and one or more electromagnetic modules electrically connected with the first and second electronic boards; each electromagnetic module is mechanically coupleable with a first electronic board and with one or more supporting members of the frame structure.

Abstract: An arc fault detection arrangement for a DC electric bus, the DC electric bus having a plurality of electric lines adapted to electrically connect a source section and a load section of an electric apparatus, the arc fault detection arrangement including an arc fault detector adapted to receive and process detection signals indicative of AC currents flowing along the electric lines characterized in that it includes a current sensing device. The current sensing device includes: primary winding means including a plurality of first primary winding conductors adapted to be electrically connected in series with source portions and load portions of corresponding first line conductors of the electric lines; secondary winding means magnetically coupleable with the first primary winding means, the secondary winding means comprising at least a first secondary winding conductor electrically connected with the arc fault detector to provide the detection signals to the arc fault detector.

Abstract: An arc fault detection arrangement for a DC electric bus, the DC electric bus having one or more electric lines adapted to electrically connect a source section and a load section of an electric apparatus, the arc fault detection arrangement including an arc fault detector adapted to receive and process detection signals indicative of AC currents flowing along the electric lines.

Abstract: An inverter for a photovoltaic plant including one or more DC electric lines electrically connectable to corresponding photovoltaic strings of the photovoltaic plant. Each DC electric line includes a plurality of line conductors wherein it includes a coupling transformer having a first winding arrangement and a second winding arrangement magnetically coupled with another. The first winding arrangement includes one or more first winding conductors electrically connected with one or more line conductors of a corresponding electric line. The second winding arrangement includes one or more winding conductors magnetically coupled with the first winding conductors and it is adapted to provide first signals indicative of AC currents flowing along the DC electric lines and to exchange second signals along the line conductors of the DC electric lines by exploiting the magnetic coupling with the first winding arrangement.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a safety device for photovoltaic installations. The safety device includes a first terminal adapted to connect to a first output terminal of a solar panel, a second terminal adapted to connect to a second output terminal of the solar panel, a first switching module connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switching module comprising a first switch and a first impedance connected in series. The first impedance includes one terminal connected to the first terminal and the first switch includes one terminal connected to the second terminal. A control module is adapted to read a control signal and drive the operation of the first switch based on the read value of the control signal. A power supply means is adapted to supply power to the control module.

Abstract: A shut-down apparatus for a string of photovoltaic panels electrically connected in series wherein it comprises a plurality of control modules comprising: an initial control module operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel; one or more intermediate control modules, each operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel; a final control module operatively associated to a corresponding photovoltaic panel. Each control module is adapted to cause the shut-down of a corresponding photovoltaic panel in response to a received input shut-down signal, said control modules sequentially receiving said input shut-down signals at subsequent shut-down instants, each pair of subsequent shut-down instants being separated by a corresponding time delay.

Abstract: An inverter for a photovoltaic apparatus, said inverter comprising a DC electric bus having a plurality of electric lines forming corresponding DC input channels for said inverter. The inverter comprises a choke filter comprising a single magnetic circuit and a plurality of choke windings enchained with said magnetic circuit. Said choke windings are electrically connected in series with corresponding line conductors of said electric lines, which have a same voltage polarity. Said choke windings are arranged so that AC electric currents flowing along said choke windings generate magnetic fluxes having concordant directions. In a further aspect, the invention relates also to a choke filter for a DC electric bus of a photovoltaic apparatus.

Abstract: A DC/AC converter apparatus is disclosed for converting DC power of a DC energy source into AC power for supplying a load and or the utility grid. The DC/AC converter apparatus is adapted to automatically control the amount of both active and reactive electrical power that is exchanged with the utility grid in order to optimize the electrical power usage of the micro grid.

Abstract: A double-stage inverter apparatus for energy conversion systems (FIG. 1) and control method thereof, adapted to manage the operations of the on-board booster module so as to optimize the overall electrical efficiency of the system. Furthermore, the method according to the present invention allows the operations of said double-stage inverter to be managed when there is only one input channel, when there are multiple input channels called to operate both in parallel and also when there are multiple input channels called to operate independently from each other.

Abstract: An inverter for a photovoltaic apparatus, said inverter comprising a DC electric bus having a plurality of electric lines forming corresponding DC input channels for said inverter. The inverter comprises a choke filter comprising a single magnetic circuit and a plurality of choke windings enchained with said magnetic circuit. Said choke windings are electrically connected in series with corresponding line conductors of said electric lines, which have a same voltage polarity. Said choke windings are arranged so that AC electric currents flowing along said choke windings generate magnetic fluxes having concordant directions. In a further aspect, the invention relates also to a choke filter for a DC electric bus of a photovoltaic apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transient current and voltage protection device for electrical energy conversion systems connected to the power grid, comprising a diode bridge connected between the power grid and the power section of said inverter, upstream of the main filtering inductors.

Abstract: Method for detecting an islanding condition of a grid connected energy conversion system and related DC/AC converter apparatus, adapted to optimize performance in terms of preservation of the power quality, provide synchronized perturbation for all the inverters of a plant, provide shut down capability within the time requested by utilities and safety standards and provide immunity to grid frequency fluctuations.

Abstract: An arc fault detection arrangement (50) for a DC electric bus (100), said DC electric bus having a plurality of electric lines (L1, L2, LN) adapted to electrically connect a source section (200) and a load section (300) of an electric apparatus (500), said arc fault detection arrangement comprising an arc fault detector (10) adapted to receive and process detection signals (DS) indicative of AC currents flowing along said electric lines (L1, L2, LN) characterised in that it comprises a current sensing device (1).

Abstract: An arc fault detection arrangement for a DC electric bus, the DC electric bus having one or more electric lines adapted to electrically connect a source section and a load section of an electric apparatus, the arc fault detection arrangement including an arc fault detector adapted to receive and process detection signals indicative of AC currents flowing along the electric lines.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a safety device for photovoltaic installations. The safety device includes a first terminal adapted to connect to a first output terminal of a solar panel, a second terminal adapted to connect to a second output terminal of the solar panel, a first switching module connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switching module comprising a first switch and a first impedance connected in series. The first impedance includes one terminal connected to the first terminal and the first switch includes one terminal connected to the second terminal. A control module is adapted to read a control signal and drive the operation of the first switch based on the read value of the control signal. A powersupply means is adapted to supply power to the control module.

Abstract: A DC/AC converter apparatus comprising: input terminals to be connected to a DC power source; a DC/AC conversion unit configured to receive input DC electrical power via the input terminals and to convert the input DC electrical power into AC electrical power, the DC/AC conversion unit comprising two output terminals; two AC backup output terminals; a switch arrangement to selectively connect the two AC output terminals to the grid terminals and to the two AC backup output terminals; a control unit associated to the switch arrangement and configured to: drive the switches of the switch arrangement, sense when an AC voltage at the grid terminals is below a predetermined threshold; and automatically drive the switches of the switch arrangement to disconnect the two AC output terminals from the grid terminals and to connect the two AC output terminals to the two AC backup output terminals when the AC grid voltage is below a said predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A photovoltaic inverter apparatus adapted to be connected at the input to a photovoltaic panel and at the output to a public electric grid and to a user, wherein said inverter apparatus comprises a DC input stage adapted to receive DC electricity generated by said photovoltaic panel; an alternating conversion stage coupled to said input stage, adapted to convert said DC electricity into alternating electricity and to supply it at the output, wherein said alternating conversion stage is configured to transform said alternating electric energy flow in a selective manner; connection means for selectively connecting said alternating conversion stage to the electric grid or to an isolated load in single-phase or two-wire mode, or in three-phase mode.

Abstract: DC/AC converter apparatus, for converting DC power of a DC energy source into AC power for supplying a load and or the utility grid, adapted to automatically control the amount of both active and reactive electrical power that is exchanged with the utility grid in order to optimize the electrical power usage of the micro grid.

Abstract: Method for detecting an islanding condition of a grid connected energy conversion system and related DC/AC converter apparatus, adapted to optimize performance in terms of preservation of the power quality, provide synchronized perturbation for all the inverters of a plant, provide shut down capability within the time requested by utilities and safety standards and provide immunity to grid frequency fluctuations.