Systems and methods to reduce the number and cost of management units of distributed power generators
First Claim
1. A local management unit, comprising:
- a junction box;
a plurality of direct current converters configured in the junction box, each converter of the direct current converters configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel of a plurality of solar panels, wherein direct current outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series to provide power generated by the solar panels; and
a control circuit configured in the junction box and shared by the direct current converters, the control circuit configured to control separately operations of the direct current converters to extract maximum power from the solar panels, wherein the control circuit comprises;
a communications unit to receive control signals from a location remote from the control circuit; and
a controller coupled with the communications unit to control the direct current converters according to the control signals.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for configuring and managing solar panels to form strings of photovoltaic energy generators with improved performance and reduced cost. The photovoltaic energy generators are connected via one or more combined local management units (CLMUs), each having a plurality of direct current converters connected to and configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel. A controller unit shared by the CLMU'"'"'s direct current converters is utilized to separately control the operation of each converter such that the power extracted from the solar panels is maximized. A communications unit coupled with the controller unit is utilized to facilitate communications between the controller unit and a system unit remote from the CLMU to report measurements and receive control signals.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A local management unit, comprising:
-
a junction box; a plurality of direct current converters configured in the junction box, each converter of the direct current converters configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel of a plurality of solar panels, wherein direct current outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series to provide power generated by the solar panels; and a control circuit configured in the junction box and shared by the direct current converters, the control circuit configured to control separately operations of the direct current converters to extract maximum power from the solar panels, wherein the control circuit comprises; a communications unit to receive control signals from a location remote from the control circuit; and a controller coupled with the communications unit to control the direct current converters according to the control signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. An apparatus, comprising:
-
a housing configured to be secured to one of a plurality of photovoltaic panels; a plurality of direct current converters configured in the housing, each converter of the direct current converters having; an input configured to be connected to a separate photovoltaic panel of the plurality of photovoltaic panels, and a direct current output to provide electrical power generated by the separate photovoltaic panel, wherein outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series in the apparatus; and a single communications unit configured in the housing and coupled between the direct current converters and a system management unit, the system management unit configured to control operations of the direct current converters via communicating with the communications unit. - View Dependent Claims (7)
-
-
8. A system, comprising:
-
a plurality of solar panels; and a combined local management unit (CLMU) connected between the plurality of solar panels and a first output that is configured to provide electrical power generated by the plurality of solar panels, wherein the CLMU comprises; a housing configured on one of the plurality of solar panels; and a plurality of converters configured in the housing and each connected to a respective solar panel of the plurality of solar panels to receive direct current input and to provide a second direct current output, wherein the second direct current outputs from the converters are connected in series to provide the first output, wherein the CLMU further comprises; a communications unit configured to communicate with a remote management unit separate from the CLMU; and a controller coupled with the communications unit to control operations of the converters in accordance with communications with the remote management unit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification