System and method for enhanced watch dog in solar panel installations

• US 9,397,612 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2014
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Original Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc
• Inventors: Hadar, Ron, Arditi, Shmuel, Bickford, James
• Primary Examiner(s): DEBERADINIS, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US14/473,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20150053250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 307/151
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/00 Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere measuring superconductive properties G01R33/1238; testing or measuring semiconductors or solid state devices during manufacture H01L22/00; testing line transmission systems H04B3/46
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 50/00 Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 50/10 Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells testing of semiconductor devices during manufacturing H01L22/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

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.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring a sensor for an anomaly by a master control unit (MMU);

determining by the MMU if the sensor has detected the anomaly; and

,

in response to a determination that the sensor has detected the anomaly,

determining by the MMU whether the anomaly requires a control change; and

issuing a control change command to a local management unit (LMU) in response to a determination that the anomaly requires a control change.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring comprises one of:

the MMU querying the sensor for the anomaly, and the sensor notifying the MMU of the anomaly.

3. The method of claim 1, 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 an output of a solar module;

a command to shut down one or more LMUs;

a command to disconnect one or more LMUs;

a command to shut down an inverter; and

a command to disconnect an inverter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the MMU is connected to a network; and

the sensor is connected to the network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the local management unit is coupled with a solar module to control electricity output generated by the solar module.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the control change command changes an operation of the local management unit in controlling the electricity output generated by the solar module.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a controller of a sensor; and

a master control unit coupled with the controller and configured to;

monitor the sensor for an anomaly;

determine whether the sensor has detected the anomaly; and

in response to a determination that the sensor has detected the anomaly;

determine whether the anomaly requires a control change; and

issue a control change command to a local management unit in response to a determination that the anomaly requires a control change.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the master control unit is configured to monitor the sensor via querying the sensor for the anomaly.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the master control unit is configured to monitor the sensor via receiving from the sensor notifications of the anomaly.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, 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 shut down one or more local management units;

a command to disconnect one or more local management units;

a command to shut down an inverter; and

a command to disconnect an inverter.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising the sensor, wherein

the master control unit is connected to a network;

and

the sensor is connected to the network via the controller.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising the local management unit coupled with a solar module to control electricity output generated by the solar module.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control change command changes an operation of the local management unit in controlling the electricity output generated by the solar module.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one local management unit; and

a master control unit coupled with a sensor and configured to

monitor the sensor for an anomaly;

determine whether the sensor has detected the anomaly; and

in response to a determination that the sensor has detected the anomaly;

determine whether the anomaly requires a control change; and

issue a control change command to the local management unit in response to a determination that the anomaly requires a control change.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the master control unit is configured to monitor the sensor via querying the sensor for the anomaly.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the master control unit is configured to monitor the sensor via receiving from the sensor notifications of the anomaly.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, 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 shut down one or more local management units;

a command to disconnect one or more local management units;

a command to shut down an inverter; and

a command to disconnect an inverter.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising the sensor, wherein

the master control unit is connected to a network;

and

the sensor is connected to the network.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the local management unit is coupled with a solar module to control electricity output generated by the solar module.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the control change command changes an operation of the local management unit in controlling the electricity output generated by the solar module.