Abstract: Controlling a power converter circuit for a direct current (DC) power source is disclosed. The power converter may be operative to convert input power received from the DC power source to an output power and to perform maximum power point tracking of the power source. The power converter is adapted to provide the output power to a load that also performs maximum power point tracking.

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: A direct current (DC) power combiner operable to interconnect multiple interconnected photovoltaic strings is disclosed. The DC power combiner may include a device adapted for disconnecting at least one photovoltaic string from the multiple interconnected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string connectible by a first and second DC power line. The device may include a differential current sensor adapted to measure differential current by comparing respective currents in the first and second DC power lines. A first switch is connected in series with the first DC power line. A control module is operatively attached to the differential current sensor and the first switch. The control module may be operable to open the first switch when the differential current sensor measures the differential current to be greater than a maximum allowed current differential, thereby disconnecting the photovoltaic string from the interconnected photovoltaic strings.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to determining an order or locations of power devices connected in a serial string to a central power device. The order or locations may be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for operating stand-alone power systems. The systems may include power generators (e.g., photovoltaic generators and/or wind turbines), storage devices (e.g., batteries and/or flywheels), power modules (e.g., power converters) and loads. The methods may include various methods for monitoring, determining, controlling and/or predicting system power generation, system power storage and system power consumption.

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 sence 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: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for direct current (DC) bus management. In some examples, an energy storage device may be controlled to balance the voltage of the DC bus to maintain a substantially constant voltage on the DC bus. In some examples, control circuitry may determine the total power produced and the total power consumed of the power system and control the energy storage device to balance the power. The energy storage device may balance the power while maintaining a substantially constant voltage on the DC bus. In some examples, a DC to alternating current (AC) converter may be connected between the DC bus and an AC bus, and/or an AC to DC converter may be connected between the AC bus and the DC bus. The DC to AC converter and the AC to DC converter may have different power ratings.

Abstract: A system includes a central analysis station and a display. The central analysis station may be configured to receive a unique identifier and performance data from each of a plurality of solar panels. The central analysis station may detect a problem in at least one of the plurality of solar panels based on the performance data. A display may be configured to display a status of the at least one of the plurality of solar panels based on the detected problem.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation system, having a photovoltaic panel, which has a direct current (DC) output and a micro-inverter with input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are adapted for connection to the DC output. The micro-inverter is configured for converting an input DC power received at the input terminals to an output alternating current (AC) power at the output terminals. A bypass current path between the output terminals may be adapted for passing current produced externally to the micro-inverter. The micro-inverter is configured to output an alternating current voltage significantly less than a grid voltage.

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 multi-level inverter having one or more banks, each bank containing a plurality of low voltage MOSFET transistors. A processor configured to switch the plurality of low voltage MOSFET transistors in each bank to switch at multiple times during each cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus of a junction box component housed in a junction box and designed to be coupled to a power generator. The junction box component may include one or more bypass mechanisms configured to bypass one or more substrings of the power generator in a case of malfunction or mismatch between the substring and the remainder of the power generators. The one or more bypass mechanisms may generate heat which may be transferred out of the junction box. The junction box component may be designed to conduct the heat towards the base of the junction box and/or the cover of the junction box. A heat dissipation mechanism may be mounted on the base and/or the cover. A bypass mechanism may bypass the entire power generator.

Abstract: A system and a method for a power system that includes a first string portion and a second string portion connected in series. The first string portion may have a first group of power sources connected in series. The second string portion may include a plurality of serially connected devices and a second group of power sources connected to the devices. Each device may be connected to a respective power source of the second group of power sources. By controlling switches that are includes the devices, one or more of the second group of power sources may be disconnected from the first group of power sources in a first mode of operation and/or connected to the first group of power sources in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for electrical switching. In some examples. electrical switching is performed by a plurality of switching arrangements. The plurality of switching arrangements may be connected in parallel to one another.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to determining an order of power devices connected in a serial string to a central power device. The physical order may be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium.

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: 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 photovoltaic power generation system, having a photovoltaic panel, which has a direct current (DC) output and a micro-inverter with input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals are adapted for connection to the DC output. The micro-inverter is configured for converting an input DC power received at the input terminals to an output alternating current (AC) power at the output terminals. A bypass current path between the output terminals may be adapted for passing current produced externally to the micro-inverter. The micro-inverter is configured to output an alternating current voltage significantly less than a grid voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus of a junction box component housed in a junction box and designed to be coupled to a power generator. The junction box component may include one or more bypass mechanisms configured to bypass one or more substrings of the power generator in a case of malfunction or mismatch between the substring and the remainder of the power generators. The one or more bypass mechanisms may generate heat which may be transferred out of the junction box. The junction box component may be designed to conduct the heat towards the base of the junction box and/or the cover of the junction box. A heat dissipation mechanism may be mounted on the base and/or the cover. A bypass mechanism may bypass the entire power generator.

Abstract: A network unit may be operatively attached to power lines of an interconnected power system and/or a device such as a power module that may further include a communication interface. The network unit may be operable to superimpose a first signal representative of a sensed parameter of the power system onto the power lines, thereby to transmit the first signal to other power modules in the interconnected power system or to a power device in interconnected power system. The network unit may receive a second signal of the parameter superimposed onto the power lines from another network unit.