Solar power generation, distribution, and communication system
First Claim
1. A solar panel, comprising:
- a housing;
an electric power generator positioned within the housing, the generator configured to collect energy from a light source and to convert the energy into direct current (DC) power;
a current amplifier positioned within the housing and configured to amplify the DC power;
a battery positioned within the housing and configured to store the amplified DC power;
an alternating current (AC) inlet receptacle configured to receive input AC power generated from an AC power source external to the solar panel;
a power signal sensor configured to detect when the input AC power is coupled to the AC inlet receptacle;
a controller configured to automatically generate standalone output AC power for the solar panel when the input AC power is coupled to the AC inlet receptacle, wherein the standalone output AC power is output AC power generated from the DC power stored in the battery that is in parallel to the input AC power;
an AC outlet receptacle configured to provide the standalone output AC power to systems external to the solar panel; and
communication circuitry positioned within the housing for communication between;
the solar panel and the Internet,the solar panel and a plurality of computing devices,the solar panel and a plurality of power controllers, and thesolar panel and a second solar panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solar panel is disclosed that can be daisy-chained with other solar panels. The solar panel automatically generates output alternative current (AC) power that is in parallel with input AC power coming into the solar panel when the solar panel senses the input AC power so that the solar panel operates as a slave in this state. The solar panel automatically generates standalone AC output power when the solar panel fails to detect input AC power coming into the solar panel where the solar panel operates as a master in this state. The solar panel generates the standalone output AC power without any reliance on input AC power generated by a utility grid and/or other AC power sources external to the solar panel.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A solar panel, comprising:
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a housing; an electric power generator positioned within the housing, the generator configured to collect energy from a light source and to convert the energy into direct current (DC) power; a current amplifier positioned within the housing and configured to amplify the DC power; a battery positioned within the housing and configured to store the amplified DC power; an alternating current (AC) inlet receptacle configured to receive input AC power generated from an AC power source external to the solar panel; a power signal sensor configured to detect when the input AC power is coupled to the AC inlet receptacle; a controller configured to automatically generate standalone output AC power for the solar panel when the input AC power is coupled to the AC inlet receptacle, wherein the standalone output AC power is output AC power generated from the DC power stored in the battery that is in parallel to the input AC power; an AC outlet receptacle configured to provide the standalone output AC power to systems external to the solar panel; and communication circuitry positioned within the housing for communication between; the solar panel and the Internet, the solar panel and a plurality of computing devices, the solar panel and a plurality of power controllers, and the solar panel and a second solar panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A power distribution and communication system comprising:
a plurality of solar panels having a housing, an electric power generator positioned within the housing, the generator configured to collect energy from a light source and to convert the energy into direct current (DC) power, a current amplifier positioned within the housing and configured to amplify the DC power, a battery positioned within the housing and configured to store the amplified DC power, an alternating current (AC) inlet receptacle configured to receive input AC power generated from an AC power source external to the solar panel, a power signal sensor configured to detect when the input AC power is coupled to the AC inlet receptacle, a controller configured to automatically generate standalone output AC power for the solar panel when the input AC power is coupled to the AC inlet receptacle, wherein the standalone output AC power is output AC power generated from the DC power stored in the battery that is in parallel to the input AC power, an AC outlet receptacle configured to provide the standalone output AC power to systems external to the solar panel, and communication circuitry positioned within the housing for communication between the plurality of solar panels; wherein each solar panel is positioned within wireless communication range of at least one other solar panel such that the panels form a communication network. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of allocating power comprising:
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providing a power controller adapted to provide an interface between an electric device and a source of electricity; the power controller sensing the amount of power needed by the electric device; providing a solar panel adapted to provide electricity; the power controller communicating with the solar panel the amount of power needed by the electric device; the solar panel providing the amount of power needed by the electric device to the electric device via the power controller; wherein the power controller and the solar panel communicate wirelessly; generating electrical power by the solar panel from a light source; acquiring electrical power from an electric utility power grid; and storing electrical power in a battery housed in the solar panel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification