Digital load management for variable output energy systems
First Claim
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1. A method for managing a solar photovoltaic system, the method comprising:
- measuring, by a photodetector, a power output of a photovoltaic array;
coupling, responsive to a first signal from a controller and by a first relay, a first sub-load to the photovoltaic array;
determining, by the controller, the power output of the photovoltaic array exceeds the capacity of the first sub-load;
coupling, responsive to a second signal from the controller and by a second relay, a second sub-load to the photovoltaic array;
determining, by the controller, the power output of the photovoltaic array is less than the combined capacity of the first sub-load and the second sub-load; and
uncoupling, responsive to a third signal from the controller and by the second relay, the second sub-load from the photovoltaic array,wherein the power output of the photovoltaic array is not routed through the controller for conditioning or managing prior to being delivered to the first sub-load or the second sub-load, andwherein the power output of the photovoltaic array is delivered to the first sub-load and the second sub-load without first being conditioned, and wherein the solar photovoltaic system does not comprise a power storage device for the power output of the solar photovoltaic system or power conditioning electronics for the power output of the solar photovoltaic system.
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Abstract
Principles of the present disclosure present a new concept for solar photovoltaic systems wherein the load to the photovoltaic system is digitally managed. This allows for much higher system efficiency along with a much lower system cost as compared to traditional solar photovoltaic systems in specific applications. By eliminating storage and power electronics typically present in traditional solar photovoltaic systems, exemplary systems achieve a cost reduction of over 50%, while the system efficiency is improved to over 95%.
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8 Claims
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1. A method for managing a solar photovoltaic system, the method comprising:
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measuring, by a photodetector, a power output of a photovoltaic array; coupling, responsive to a first signal from a controller and by a first relay, a first sub-load to the photovoltaic array; determining, by the controller, the power output of the photovoltaic array exceeds the capacity of the first sub-load; coupling, responsive to a second signal from the controller and by a second relay, a second sub-load to the photovoltaic array; determining, by the controller, the power output of the photovoltaic array is less than the combined capacity of the first sub-load and the second sub-load; and uncoupling, responsive to a third signal from the controller and by the second relay, the second sub-load from the photovoltaic array, wherein the power output of the photovoltaic array is not routed through the controller for conditioning or managing prior to being delivered to the first sub-load or the second sub-load, and wherein the power output of the photovoltaic array is delivered to the first sub-load and the second sub-load without first being conditioned, and wherein the solar photovoltaic system does not comprise a power storage device for the power output of the solar photovoltaic system or power conditioning electronics for the power output of the solar photovoltaic system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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