System and method for enhanced watch dog in solar panel installations
DCFirst Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a master management unit (MMU); and
a local management unit (LMU) in communication with the master management unit (MMU), the LMU controlling one or more solar modules;
wherein the MMU is connected to at least one sensor, the sensor configured to detect an anomaly; and
wherein upon detection of the anomaly by the sensor, the MMU sends a command to the LMU to alter the state of an associated solar module; and
wherein upon receiving a command from the MMU, the LMU alters the state of the one or more solar modules in accordance with command.
6 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shutdown, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a master management unit (MMU); and a local management unit (LMU) in communication with the master management unit (MMU), the LMU controlling one or more solar modules; wherein the MMU is connected to at least one sensor, the sensor configured to detect an anomaly; and wherein upon detection of the anomaly by the sensor, the MMU sends a command to the LMU to alter the state of an associated solar module; and wherein upon receiving a command from the MMU, the LMU alters the state of the one or more solar modules in accordance with command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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monitoring a sensor for an anomaly by a master control unit (MMU); determining by the MMU if the sensor has detected an anomaly and, if the sensor has detected an anomaly, the MMU determining if the anomaly requires a control change; and issuing a control change command to a local management unit if the anomaly requires a control change, wherein the control change command is selected from the group consisting of; a command to shut down one or more solar modules; a command to disconnect one or more solar modules; a command to shut down one or more solar module strings; a command to alter the output of a solar module; a command to shutdown one or more LMUs; a command to disconnect one or more LMUs a command to shutdown an inverter; a command to disconnect an inverter; a command to do nothing; and no command. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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monitoring, via a computing device, a signal from a central controller remote from the computing device; determining, via the computing device, if there is a loss of signal; polling, via the computing device, the central controller to determine if the loss of signal is transient; disconnecting, via the computing device, one or more solar modules from a power bus if the loss of signal is not transient, the power bus configured to connect a plurality of solar modules to an inverter; waiting, via the computing device, for a restart signal; and connecting, via the computing device, the one or more solar modules to the power bus when the restart signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification