DISTRIBUTED INVERTER AND INTELLIGENT GATEWAY
First Claim
1. A system for transforming energy, comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic modules;
a plurality of microinverters electrically coupled to the photovoltaic modules in a one-to-one relationship; and
a gateway electrically coupled to the plurality of microinverters, wherein features of the gateway are capable of being upgraded with at least one of hardware, software, and firmware.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for converting DC from one or more sources to AC power utilizing a novel partitioning scheme are disclosed. This partitioning scheme is particularly well suited for photovoltaic (PV) microinverter applications. The primary goals are to make installation, operation and maintenance of the system safe and simple. Secondary goals are to improve reliability and lifetime of the converter in a cost effective manner. In one embodiment, the microinverters are placed in one-to-one proximity with the photovoltaic modules, each proximate microinverter incorporating a reduced number of functions and components. Remaining common functions and controls are implemented separately.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for transforming energy, comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic modules; a plurality of microinverters electrically coupled to the photovoltaic modules in a one-to-one relationship; and a gateway electrically coupled to the plurality of microinverters, wherein features of the gateway are capable of being upgraded with at least one of hardware, software, and firmware. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A gateway for use in a system for use in an energy generating system, comprising:
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an interface unit for interfacing with a plurality of microinverters and a utility grid; a control unit electrically coupled to the interface unit for controlling at least one of safety functionality, synchronization functionality to synchronize the plurality of microinverters to the utility grid, and monitoring functionality to monitor the plurality of microinverters and the utility grid, wherein the control unit is capable of being electrically coupled to an external monitor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A photovoltaic system for transforming radiant energy into alternating current, comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic modules; a plurality of microinverters coupled to the photovoltaic modules in a one-to-one relationship, wherein each of the plurality of microinverters comprise; an inversion unit to convert DC into AC; a MPPT unit to optimize power from the plurality photovoltaic modules; a communications unit to provide communications to the gateway; and a safety unit to provide safety functions; a gateway coupled to the plurality of microinverters, wherein the gateway comprises; an interface unit for interfacing with a plurality of microinverters and a utility grid; and a control unit coupled to the interface unit for controlling at least one of safety functionality, synchronization to synchronize the plurality of microinverters to the utility grid, and monitoring, wherein the control unit is capable of being coupled to an external monitor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification