System and method for enhanced watch dog in solar panel installations
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A photovoltaic panel, comprising:
- at least one photovoltaic cell;
a local unit configured on the photovoltaic panel, the local unit having;
a voltage regulator coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell to receive electric power generated by the at least one photovoltaic cell; and
a controller coupled to the voltage regulator;
wherein the voltage regulator provides a power output of the photovoltaic panel using the electric power generated by the at least one photovoltaic cell;
wherein the controller communicates with a remote unit, disposed at a location remote from the local unit, to control operations of the voltage regulator;
wherein a sensor is monitored for an anomaly; and
wherein in response to a determination that the sensor has detected the anomaly, the controller causes the voltage regulator to shut down the power output of the photovoltaic panel based on a communication with the remote unit.
6 Assignments
Litigations
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shut down, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.
137 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic panel, comprising:
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at least one photovoltaic cell; a local unit configured on the photovoltaic panel, the local unit having; a voltage regulator coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell to receive electric power generated by the at least one photovoltaic cell; and a controller coupled to the voltage regulator; wherein the voltage regulator provides a power output of the photovoltaic panel using the electric power generated by the at least one photovoltaic cell; wherein the controller communicates with a remote unit, disposed at a location remote from the local unit, to control operations of the voltage regulator; wherein a sensor is monitored for an anomaly; and wherein in response to a determination that the sensor has detected the anomaly, the controller causes the voltage regulator to shut down the power output of the photovoltaic panel based on a communication with the remote unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A photovoltaic panel, comprising:
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at least one photovoltaic cell; a local unit configured on the photovoltaic panel, the local unit having; a voltage regulator coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell to receive electric power generated by the at least one photovoltaic cell; and a controller coupled to the voltage regulator; wherein the voltage regulator provides a power output of the photovoltaic panel using the electric power generated by the at least one photovoltaic cell; wherein the controller communicates with a remote unit, disposed at a location remote from the local unit, to control operations of the voltage regulator; wherein the controller detects an anomaly in heartbeat signals from the remote unit; and wherein in response to the anomaly, the controller causes the voltage regulator to reduce the power output of the photovoltaic panel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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generating, by photovoltaic cells of a photovoltaic panel, electric power; and regulating, by a voltage converter of the photovoltaic panel, the electric power generated by the photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic panel to provide a power output of the photovoltaic panel; communicating with, by a controller of the photovoltaic panel, a remote unit disposed at a location remote from the photovoltaic panel, including receiving heartbeat signals from the remote unit; detecting an anomaly in the heartbeat signals from the remote unit; and in response to the anomaly, causing, by the controller, the voltage regulator to reduce the power output of the photovoltaic panel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification