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 junction box used for making electrical connections to a photovoltaic panel. The junction box has two chambers including a first chamber and a second chamber and a wall common to and separating both chambers. The wall may be adapted to have an electrical connection therethrough. The two lids are adapted to seal respectively the two chambers. The two lids are on opposite sides of the junction box relative to the photovoltaic panel. The two lids may be attachable using different sealing processes to a different level of hermeticity. The first chamber may be adapted to receive a circuit board for electrical power conversion. The junction box may include supports for mounting a printed circuit board in the first chamber. The second chamber is configured for electrical connection to the photovoltaic panel. A metal heat sink may be bonded inside the first chamber.

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.

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: 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: 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: A system, a device, a method, a communication protocol, and/or the like, for energy management in a fragment, heterogeneous, electrical grid. The grid may include multiple types of power generation systems, electrical energy storage systems, electrical loads, and efficiently managing these systems may require elements that will bridge the technology gap of these systems, as well as provide best-effort power generation and consumption in order to stabilize the grid. These techniques are especially important in differentiated electric energy networks, such as micro-grids, island grids, virtual power plants, and/or the like.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for managing one or more loads connected to one or more power sources using one or more smart outlets. Apparatuses described herein may include smart outlets configured to communicate with one or more controllers and responsively connect and disconnect electrical loads connected thereto. Methods described herein may include signaling and/or controlling one or more loads from a group of loads to connect to or disconnect from one or more power sources.

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: Systems and methods are described herein for providing power for enabling electroluminescence imaging of photovoltaic panels. The system may comprise a diode in a power converter, where the diode may restrict reverse current flow to the photovoltaic panel. The system may comprise a power device configured to be coupled to a photovoltaic panel. The power device may comprise an auxiliary power circuit which may provide power to the power device from the photovoltaic panel or form a power source connected to a power system controller. The power device may control a switch to provide a current path for reverse current to flow to the photovoltaic panel. An imager may capture an image of the panel.

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.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a device including a sheet that has a first plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells and a second plurality of PV cells, and a motor configured to actuate the sheet between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the first plurality of PV cells are disposed on a first portion of the sheet such that, in the open configuration, the first plurality of PV cells are exposed to sunlight, and wherein the second plurality of PV cells are disposed on a second portion of the sheet such that, in the closed configuration, the second plurality of PV cells are exposed to sunlight.

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for vertical solar panels. Prefabricated and/or preassembled solar panels may be deployed fast, for example, by using a special packaging. Support structures may be easily installed to support (e.g., hang) the solar panels. The solar panels may be pretensioned and/or comprise structural designs (e.g., holes, frames, flexibility, etc.) to have reliability and/or longevity under a hanging condition and wind impact. The heights of vertically-installed solar panels may be dynamically adjusted, for example, based on inputs from sensors and/or time of day. Inter-row shading may be changed based on height adjustment among multiple rows of vertical solar panels.

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 distributed power system including multiple (DC) batteries each DC battery with positive and negative poles. Multiple power converters are coupled respectively to the DC batteries. Each power converter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The first terminal is adapted for coupling to the positive pole. The second terminal is adapted for coupling to the negative pole. The power converter includes: (i) a control loop adapted for setting the voltage between or current through the first and second terminals, and (ii) a power conversion portion adapted to selectively either: convert power from said first and second terminals to said third and fourth terminals to discharge the battery connected thereto, or to convert power from the third and fourth terminals to the first and second terminals to charge the battery connected thereto.

Abstract: A junction box used for making electrical connections to a photovoltaic panel. The junction box has two chambers including a first chamber and a second chamber and a wall common to and separating both chambers. The wall may be adapted to have an electrical connection therethrough. The two lids are adapted to seal respectively the two chambers. The two lids are on opposite sides of the junction box relative to the photovoltaic panel. The two lids may be attachable using different sealing processes to a different level of hermeticity. The first chamber may be adapted to receive a circuit board for electrical power conversion. The junction box may include supports for mounting a printed circuit board in the first chamber. The second chamber is configured for electrical connection to the photovoltaic panel. A metal heat sink may be bonded inside the first chamber.

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: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.