Systems and methods for an enhanced watchdog in solar module installations
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a watchdog unit coupled between a solar module and a power bus, the power bus configured to connect a plurality of solar modules to an inverter, the watchdog unit having;
a local controller configured to monitor a communication from a central controller remote from the solar module and determine whether the communication has been interrupted for a time period longer than a predetermined number of allowed skips; and
at least one switch configured to disconnect the solar module from the power bus in response to a determination by the location controller that the communication from the central controller has been interrupted for a time period longer than the predetermined number of allowed skips;
wherein the watchdog unit is configured to connect the solar module to the power bus when the communication is not interrupted.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically or remotely rendering a solar array safe during an emergency or maintenance. A watchdog unit is disclosed for monitoring a signal from a central controller. If the signal is lost, interrupted, or becomes irregular, or if a shutdown signal is received, then the watchdog unit can shutdown one or more solar modules. Shutting down a solar module can mean disconnecting it from a power bus of the solar array or lowering the solar module voltage to a safe level.
220 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a watchdog unit coupled between a solar module and a power bus, the power bus configured to connect a plurality of solar modules to an inverter, the watchdog unit having; a local controller configured to monitor a communication from a central controller remote from the solar module and determine whether the communication has been interrupted for a time period longer than a predetermined number of allowed skips; and at least one switch configured to disconnect the solar module from the power bus in response to a determination by the location controller that the communication from the central controller has been interrupted for a time period longer than the predetermined number of allowed skips; wherein the watchdog unit is configured to connect the solar module to the power bus when the communication is not interrupted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
a watchdog device coupled between a solar module and a power bus, the power bus configured to connect a plurality of solar modules to an inverter, the watchdog device configured to; verify communication with a central controller remote from the solar module; and shutdown the solar module from the power bus if communication with the central controller cannot be verified for a time period longer than a predetermined number of allowed skips. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. 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 the signal has been lost more than a predetermined number of times; disconnecting, via the computing device, one or more solar modules from a power bus if the signal has been lost more than the predetermined number of times, 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 (20)
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Specification