Optimizer battery PV energy generation systems

• US 10,340,702 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2016
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Original Assignee: SolarCity Corporation (Tesla Inc.)
• Inventors: Narla, Sandeep
• Primary Examiner(s): Borroto, Alfonso Perez
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yeshaw, Esayas G
• Application Number:
  US15/235,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20180048160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• 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 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

Embodiments disclose an energy generation system including a photovoltaic (PV) array having a plurality of PV modules for generating direct current (DC) power, a plurality of Opti-battery packs coupled to the PV array, where each Opti-battery pack is coupled to a respective PV module and configured to receive DC power from the respective PV module, and an inverter configured to receive DC power from the plurality of Opti-battery packs and to convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) power.

Claims

1. An energy generation system, comprising:

a photovoltaic (PV) array comprising a plurality of PV modules for generating direct current (DC) power, wherein each PV module is a PV panel;

a plurality of Opti-battery packs coupled to the PV array, wherein each Opti-battery pack is coupled to a respective PV module and configured to receive DC power from the respective PV module, and wherein each Opti-battery pack is coupled to a different PV module; and

an inverter configured to receive DC power from the plurality of Opti-battery packs and to convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) power.

2. The energy generation system of claim 1, wherein each Opti-battery pack is positioned proximate to the respective PV module.

3. The energy generation system of claim 2, wherein each Opti-battery pack is positioned underneath the respective PV module.

4. The energy generation system of claim 1, wherein each Opti-battery pack includes a DC-to-DC converter configured to perform maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) on DC power from the respective PV module.

5. The energy generation system of claim 4, wherein the DC-to-DC converter is a bidirectional DC-to-DC converter configured to convert DC power from battery cells in the Opti-battery pack and DC power from the respective PV module.

6. The energy generation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of Opti-battery packs are serially connected.

7. The energy generation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of PV modules and the plurality of Opti-battery packs are equal in number.

8. The energy generation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of Opti-battery packs are coupled to less than all PV modules of the plurality of PV modules.

9. The energy generation system of claim 1, wherein some PV modules of the plurality of PV modules are coupled to respective PV optimizers.

10. An energy generation system, comprising:

a photovoltaic (PV) array comprising a plurality of PV modules for generating direct current (DC) power, wherein each PV module is a PV panel;

a plurality of Opti-battery packs coupled to the PV array, wherein each Opti-battery pack is coupled to a respective PV module and comprises a DC-to-DC converter for performing maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) of power outputted by the respective PV module, and wherein each Opti-battery pack is coupled to a different PV module; and

an inverter configured to receive DC power from the plurality of Opti-battery packs and to convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) power.

11. The energy generation system of claim 10, wherein the DC-to-DC converter is also configured to convert the DC power provided by the respective PV module.

12. The energy generation system of claim 10, wherein the Opti-battery pack further comprises battery cells and a battery management system (BMS).

13. The energy generation system of claim 12, wherein the DC-to-DC converter, the battery cells, and the BMS are contained within a single enclosure.

14. The energy generation system of claim 12, wherein the battery cells and the BMS are contained within a separate enclosure from the DC-to-DC converter.

15. An energy generation system, comprising:

a photovoltaic (PV) array comprising a plurality of PV modules for generating direct current (DC) power, wherein each PV module is a PV panel;

a plurality of Optimizers coupled to the PV array, wherein each Optimizer is coupled to a respective PV module and comprises a DC-to-DC converter for performing maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) of power outputted by the respective PV module, and wherein each Optimizer is coupled to a different PV module;

a plurality of Opti-battery packs coupled to the plurality of Optimizers, wherein each Opti-battery pack is coupled to a respective Optimizer for storing power provided by the respective PV module, and wherein each Opti-battery pack is coupled to a different Optimizer; and

an inverter configured to receive DC power from the plurality of Optimizers and to convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) power.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the DC-to-DC converter is also configured to convert the DC power provided by a respective Opti-battery pack.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the Opti-battery pack further comprises battery cells and a battery management system (BMS).

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the Optimizer comprises a connector for interfacing with the respective Opti-battery pack.