Abstract: A solar module device with the master circuit generates the timing signal to synchronize each of the synchronized half wave rectified DC waveform generated by each of the slave circuits to a grid AC signal or a reference AC signal to allow the DC-AC power conversion of a plurality of solar cell groups provided in a module in an on-grid application and an off-grid application.

Abstract: A system for mounting solar modules to a structure includes a first solar module, a rod, and a mount. The solar module includes a photovoltaic laminate and a frame circumscribing the photovoltaic laminate. The rod is connected with the frame. The mount is configured to couple at least the first solar module to a support structure. The mount defines an interior to receive the rod and an opening to the interior configured to permit the rod to pass through the opening. The mount includes a link selectively movable between an open position that permits access to the interior through the opening and a closed position that substantially covers the opening.

Abstract: A method of operating an inverter device configured on a back plane of a solar module, the inverter device comprising an energy recovery circuit device coupled to a rectifier circuit, the method comprising transferring a charge from a rectifier output to a storage capacitor configured in an energy recovery circuit; storing the charge at the storage capacitor for a time period associated with a reverse recovery time; and transferring the charge to an output of a DC bus structure to reduce a diode recovery loss in the rectifier circuit.

Abstract: An inverter device for a solar module. The inverter device comprises a slave circuit device that includes an input comprising a DC input from a solar cell group and a preliminary boost circuit. A DC boost circuit is coupled to the preliminary boost circuit and configured to boost the intermediary voltage to an AC RMS peak voltage. A rectifier circuit is coupled to the DC boost circuit. An energy recovery circuit comprises a storage device coupled to the rectifier output. The energy recovery circuit is configured to temporarily store a reverse recovery charge and transfers the reverse recovery charge to an output of a DC bus structure to reduce a diode recovery loss in the rectifier circuit.

Abstract: A power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a primary side circuit coupled to the primary winding, and a secondary side circuit coupled to the secondary winding and configured to output a substantially direct current (DC) output. The primary side circuit is configured to receive an input voltage and to switch the input voltage across the primary winding of the transformer. The secondary side circuit includes an active forward mode rectifier.

Abstract: An inverter device has an active ripple cancellation boost circuit being configured to a DC source from a plurality of solar cells and configured to filter an AC current ripple back to the DC source and boost the DC voltage to an intermediary 12-15 voltage range. The device has a wave shaper circuit comprising a phase shift zero voltage switching full bridge circuit and a rectifier energy recovery circuit, the phase shift zero voltage switching full bridge circuit configured to shape the DC source to a half wave rectified 120V to 240V waveform. The device has an analog mixed signal controller module configured to generate a PWM waveform and synchronize the rectified waveform to a grid voltage.

Abstract: A power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a primary side circuit coupled to the primary winding, and a secondary side circuit coupled to the secondary winding and configured to output a substantially direct current (DC) output. The primary side circuit is configured to receive an input voltage and to switch the input voltage across the primary winding of the transformer. The secondary side circuit includes an active forward mode rectifier.

Abstract: A solar module device with a back plane integrated inverter device includes a substrate member having a front side and a back side. The device has a plurality of solar cells, which includes a first group of solar cells connected in a first serial configuration and a second group of solar cells connected in a second serial configuration, and a tab wire configuration formed overlying the front side of the substrate member. The tab wire includes a first interconnection coupled to the first set of solar cells in the first serial configuration and a second interconnection coupled to the second set of solar cells in the second serial configuration. The device has an inverter device coupled to a back side of the substrate member. The inverter device includes a first set of connections coupled to the first interconnection and a second set of connections coupled to the second interconnection.

Abstract: A method of detecting an islanding condition for a grid tied inverter includes receiving a plurality of sensed operating conditions for the grid tied inverter, and determining, based on the sensed operating conditions, whether a first fault has occurred. After determining that a first fault has occurred, the method includes determining whether a second fault has occurred. An islanding fault signal is generated when the second fault is determined to have occurred.

Abstract: In one example, a method of operating a photovoltaic (PV) system substantially at a maximum power point is described. The PV system includes a PV module and an inverter coupled to the PV module. The method includes controlling an output of the inverter as a function of a trans-conductance of the PV module over time.

Abstract: A solar module device with the master circuit generates the timing signal to synchronize each of the synchronized half wave rectified DC waveform generated by each of the slave circuits to a grid AC signal or a reference AC signal to allow the DC-AC power conversion of a plurality of solar cell groups provided in a module in an on-grid application and an off-grid application.

Abstract: An inverter device for a solar module. The inverter device comprises a slave circuit device that includes an input comprising a DC input from a solar cell group and a preliminary boost circuit. A DC boost circuit is coupled to the preliminary boost circuit and configured to boost the intermediary voltage to an AC RMS peak voltage. A rectifier circuit is coupled to the DC boost circuit. An energy recovery circuit comprises a storage device coupled to the rectifier output. The energy recovery circuit is configured to temporarily store a reverse recovery charge and transfers the reverse recovery charge to an output of a DC bus structure to reduce a diode recovery loss in the rectifier circuit.

Abstract: A method of operating an inverter device configured on a back plane of a solar module, the inverter device comprising an energy recovery circuit device coupled to a rectifier circuit, the method comprising transferring a charge from a rectifier output to a storage capacitor configured in an energy recovery circuit; storing the charge at the storage capacitor for a time period associated with a reverse recovery time; and transferring the charge to an output of a DC bus structure to reduce a diode recovery loss in the rectifier circuit.