Systems and methods for an identification protocol between a local controller coupled to control a solar module and a master controller

• US 9,124,139 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2012
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Original Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Inventors: Eizips, Daniel, Arditi, Shmuel, Hadar, Ron, Makhota, Maxym
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Haresh N
• Application Number:
  US13/460,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20120215367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709217-228, 709/203, 700/286, 700/292, 136/244
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/26 involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources maximum power point systems in particular G05F1/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/004 Generation forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future energy generation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/00 PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Systems and methods for local and master management units in a photovoltaic energy system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes sending a first identification code from a local management unit to a master management unit. The first identification code is associated with the first local management unit, and the local management unit controls a solar module. An authentication of the first identification code is received from the master management unit. In response to receiving the authentication, active operation of the local management unit is continued (e.g., for a set time period).

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing thereon computer readable instructions configured to instruct a master management unit to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving, by the master management unit from a first local management unit, an identification code of the first local management unit coupled with a solar module in a solar system having a plurality of solar modules and a plurality of local management units controlling the plurality of solar modules respective, including the first local management unit controlling the solar module, wherein the master management unit is configured to communicate with the local management units to control operations of the solar modules in the solar system; and

in response to the receiving of the identification code, sending, by the master management unit, an authentication of the identification code, the authentication to cause the first local management unit to continue active operation of the solar module.

2. The storage medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises looking up the identification code to confirm that operation of the first local management unit is authorized;

wherein the sending the authorization of the identification code is in response to confirmation that the operation is authorized; and

wherein the sending the authorization of the identification code comprises sending a first activation message including the authentication to the first local management unit, the first activation message to cause the first local management unit to continue the active operation for a first duration time.

3. The storage medium of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises:

after the first duration time expires, again receiving the identification code from the first local management unit;

again looking up the identification code to confirm that operation of the first local management unit is authorized; and

in response to a confirmation that the operation is again authorized, sending a second activation message to cause the first local management unit to continue active operation for a second duration time.

4. The storage medium of claim 2, wherein the looking up comprises looking up the identification code in a data repository including a plurality of identification codes, each identification code corresponding to a respective local management unit.

5. The storage medium of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a message from the first local management unit, the message containing data that validates the first local management unit; and

in response to receiving the message, registering the first local management unit in the data repository as being valid.

6. The storage medium of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a message from the first local management unit that fails to validate the first local management unit; and

in response to receiving the message, registering the first local management unit in the data repository as being invalid.

7. The storage medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises sending a configuration profile from the master management unit to the first local management unit, the configuration profile corresponding to the identification code.

8. The storage medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

sending a list of registered local management units, including the first local management unit, to a server;

receiving results of a comparison via the server of the list to data regarding invalid local management units; and

in response to the comparison indicating that the first local management unit is invalid, refusing to send an authentication to the first local management unit to permit continuation of active operation.

9. The storage medium of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises sending data to the server regarding a local management unit that the master management unit has determined is invalid.

10. A method implemented in a master management unit, the method comprising:

receiving, by the master management unit from a first local management unit, an identification code of the first local management unit coupled with a solar module in a solar system having a plurality of solar modules and a plurality of local management units controlling the plurality of solar modules respective, including the first local management unit controlling the solar module, wherein the master management unit is configured to communicate with the local management units to control operations of the solar modules in the solar system; and

in response to the receiving of the identification code, sending, by the master management unit, an authentication of the identification code, the authentication to cause the first local management unit to continue active operation of the solar module.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

looking up the identification code to confirm that operation of the first local management unit is authorized; and

wherein the sending is in response to confirmation that the operation is authorized and comprises sending a first activation message including the authentication to the first local management unit, the first activation message to cause the first local management unit to continue the active operation for a first duration time.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

after the first duration time expires, again receiving the identification code from the first local management unit;

again looking up the identification code to confirm that operation of the first local management unit is authorized; and

in response to a confirmation that the operation is again authorized, sending a second activation message to cause the first local management unit to continue active operation for a second duration time.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the looking up comprises looking up the identification code in a data repository including a plurality of identification codes, each identification code corresponding to a respective local management unit.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a message from the first local management unit, the message containing data that validates the first local management unit; and

in response to receiving the message, registering the first local management unit in the data repository as being valid.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a message from the first local management unit that fails to validate the first local management unit; and

in response to receiving the message, registering the first local management unit in the data repository as being invalid.

16. A master management unit, comprising:

at least one processor;

a memory storing instructions configured to instruct the at least one processor to at least;

receive, by the master management unit from a first local management unit, an identification code of the first local management unit coupled with a solar module in a solar system having a plurality of solar modules and a plurality of local management units controlling the plurality of solar modules respective, including the first local management unit controlling the solar module, wherein the master management unit is configured to communicate with the local management units to control operations of the solar modules in the solar system; and

in response to the received identification code, send, by the master management unit, an authentication of the identification code, the authentication to cause the first local management unit to continue active operation of the solar module.

17. The master management unit of claim 16, wherein:

the instructions are further configured to instruct the at least one processor to look up the identification code to confirm that operation of the first local management unit is authorized; and

the authentication is sent in response to confirmation that the operation is authorized and sent with a first activation message including the authentication to the first local management unit, the first activation message to cause the first local management unit to continue the active operation for a first duration time.

18. The master management unit of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further configured to instruct the at least one processor to send a configuration profile from the master management unit to the first local management unit, the configuration profile corresponding to the identification code.

19. The master management unit of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further configured to instruct the at least one processor to:

send a list of registered local management units, including the first local management unit, to a server;

receive results of a comparison via the server of the list to data regarding invalid local management units; and

in response to the comparison indicating that the first local management unit is invalid, refuse to send an authentication to the first local management unit to permit continuation of active operation.

20. The master management unit of claim 19, wherein the instructions are further configured to instruct the at least one processor to send data to the server regarding a local management unit that the master management unit has determined is invalid.