DIGITAL LOAD MANAGEMENT FOR VARIABLE OUTPUT ENERGY SYSTEMS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A load-managing solar photovoltaic system, the system comprising:
- a photovoltaic array;
a load comprising a plurality of sub-loads, each sub-load couplable to and uncouplable from the photovoltaic array; and
a controller configured to couple and uncouple each sub-load from the photovoltaic array responsive to the power output of the photovoltaic array.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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%.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A load-managing solar photovoltaic system, the system comprising:
-
a photovoltaic array; a load comprising a plurality of sub-loads, each sub-load couplable to and uncouplable from the photovoltaic array; and a controller configured to couple and uncouple each sub-load from the photovoltaic array responsive to the power output of the photovoltaic array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. 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 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 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 signal from the controller and by the second relay, the second sub-load from the photovoltaic array. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification