Pole-mounted power generation systems, structures and processes

• US 10,020,657 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2016
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Accurate Solar Power, Llc
• Original Assignee: Newdoll Enterprises LLC
• Inventors: Newdoll, Ronald M., Shaver, II, Argil E.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEBERADINIS, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US15/275,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20170012438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00016 using a wired telecommunication network or a data transmission bus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources maximum power point systems in particular G05F1/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/44 by static converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/32 specially adapted for solar tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 50/10 Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells testing of semiconductor devices during manufacturing H01L22/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/70 Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/123 the energy generation units being or involving renewable energy sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses

Abstract

Solar power systems and structures are mountable to a power distribution structure, e.g. a power pole or tower, which supports alternating current (AC) power transmission lines. An exemplary power generation structure is fixedly attached to and extends from the power distribution structure, and comprises a mounting rack. A solar array, comprising at least one solar panel, is affixed to the mounting rack. A DC to AC inverter is connected between the DC outputs of the solar array and the AC power transmission lines. The length of the solar array is generally in alignment with the power distribution structure, and the width of the solar array is greater than half the circumference of the power distribution structure. The mounting rack and solar array may preferably be rotatable, such as based on any of location, time of day, or available light.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a mounting structure that is configured for attachment to a power distribution structure, wherein the power distribution structure is configured to support alternating current (AC) power transmission lines that are connected to a power grid, wherein the power distribution structure has a defined axis and a defined circumference, and wherein the mounting structure includes a mounting rack that is configured to extend from the power distribution structure;

a solar array comprising at least one solar panel that is affixed to the mounting rack, and DC outputs extending from the solar array; and

an DC to AC inverter connected between the DC outputs of the solar array and the AC power transmission lines.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar array has a defined length and width.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the length of the solar array is generally aligned with the defined axis of the power distribution structure.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the width of the solar array is greater than half the circumference of the power distribution structure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting rack is mountable on top of the AC power transmission lines.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a dielectric material for separating the mounting rack and the solar array from the AC power transmission lines.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the power distribution structure comprises any of a power distribution pole or a power distribution tower.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the DC to AC inverter further comprises:

a control module, and

a communications link connected to the control module;

wherein the control module comprises;

input connections that are connected to the solar array,

output connections that are connected to the DC to AC inverter,

a signal processing circuit connected to the input connections, and

a controller that is connected to the signal processing circuit, wherein the controller is connected to any of a computer or a server through the communications link;

wherein the DC output of the solar array is controllably adjustable in response to an input signal that is sent from the computer or server and received at the controller over the communications link.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar array and at least a portion of the mounting structure are rotatable with respect to the power distribution structure.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a rotation mechanism that is configured to rotate the mounting rack and the solar array with respect to the power distribution structure.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the rotation mechanism is controllably responsive to a signal.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the rotation mechanism is responsive to any of location, time of day, available light, or any combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the mounting rack and the solar array based on the direction of incident solar energy.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting rack and the solar array are substantially planar.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting rack and the solar array are curved.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar array is substantially rigid.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar array is flexible.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar array further comprises at least one heliostat mechanism.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wind turbine mounted to the power distribution structure and connected to the AC power transmission lines.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an access structure affixed to the power distribution structure that is configured to provide access to any of the AC power transmission lines, the mounting structure, the solar array, or the DC to AC inverter.

21. A process for locally harvesting solar power, comprising:

attaching a power generation structure to a power distribution structure that supports alternating current (AC) power transmission lines, wherein the power distribution structure has a defined circumference, and wherein the power generation structure comprises;

a mounting structure that includes a mounting rack,

a solar array comprising at least one solar panel that is affixed to the mounting rack, and DC outputs extending from the solar array, and

a DC to AC inverter connected between the DC outputs of the solar array and the AC power transmission lines;

wherein the attaching the power generation structure to the power distribution structure comprises attaching the mounting structure to the power distribution structure, such that the mounting structure extends from the power distribution structure;

collecting solar energy through the solar array;

inverting the DC power from the solar array to AC power through the DC to AC inverter; and

transferring the AC power to the AC power transmission lines.

22. The process of claim 21, wherein the solar array has a defined length and width.

23. The process of claim 22, wherein the length of the solar array is generally aligned with the power distribution structure.

24. The process of claim 22, wherein the width of the solar array is greater than half the circumference of the power distribution structure.

25. The process of claim 21, wherein the mounting rack and the solar array are rotatable, and wherein the process further comprises:

controllably rotating the mounting rack and the solar array.

26. The process of claim 25, wherein the controllably rotating the mounting rack and the solar array is based on any of location, time of day, available light, or any combination thereof.