Systems and methods to reduce the number and cost of management units of distributed power generators
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a combined local management unit, comprising;
a plurality of direct current converters, each converter of the direct current converters configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel of a plurality of solar panels, wherein direct current outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series to provide power generated by the solar panels; and
a control circuit shared by the direct current converters, the control circuit configured to control separately operations of the direct current converters to extract maximum power from the solar panels;
wherein the control circuit comprises;
a communications unit to receive control signals from a location remote from the control circuit; and
a controller coupled with the communications unit to control the direct current converters according to the control signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for configuring and managing solar panels to form strings of photovoltaic energy generators with improved performance and reduced cost. The photovoltaic energy generators are connected via one or more combined local management units (CLMUs), each having a plurality of direct current converters connected to and configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel. A controller unit shared by the CLMU'"'"'s direct current converters is utilized to separately control the operation of each converter such that the power extracted from the solar panels is maximized. A communications unit coupled with the controller unit is utilized to facilitate communications between the controller unit and a system unit remote from the CLMU to report measurements and receive control signals.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
a combined local management unit, comprising; a plurality of direct current converters, each converter of the direct current converters configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel of a plurality of solar panels, wherein direct current outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series to provide power generated by the solar panels; and a control circuit shared by the direct current converters, the control circuit configured to control separately operations of the direct current converters to extract maximum power from the solar panels;
wherein the control circuit comprises;a communications unit to receive control signals from a location remote from the control circuit; and a controller coupled with the communications unit to control the direct current converters according to the control signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus, comprising:
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a combined local management unit, comprising; a plurality of direct current converters, each converter of the direct current converters configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel of a plurality of solar panels, wherein direct current outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series to provide power generated by the solar panels; and a control circuit shared by the direct current converters, the control circuit configured to control separately operations of the direct current converters to extract maximum power from the solar panels; wherein the apparatus is configured to be secured to a first solar panel of the plurality of solar panels; and
second solar panels of the plurality of solar panels are connected to the apparatus via wires to provide input to respective direct current converters. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. An apparatus, comprising:
a combined local management unit, comprising; a plurality of direct current converters, each converter of the direct current converters having an input configured to be connected to a separate photovoltaic panel of a plurality of photovoltaic panels, and a direct current output to provide electrical power generated by the separate photovoltaic panel, wherein outputs of the direct current converters are connected in series in the apparatus; and a single communications unit coupled between the direct current converters and a system management unit, the system management unit configured to control operations of the direct current converters via communicating with the communications unit. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of solar panels; and a combined local management unit (CLMU) connected between the plurality of solar panels and a first output that is configured to provide electrical power generated by the plurality of solar panels, wherein the CLMU comprises; a plurality of converters each connected to a respective solar panel of the plurality of solar panels to receive direct current input and to provide a second direct current output, wherein the second direct current outputs from the converters are connected in series to provide the first output; a communications unit configured to communicate with a remote management unit separate from the CLMU; and a controller coupled with the communications unit to control operations of the converters in accordance with communications with the remote management unit; wherein the CLMU is secured to a single solar panel of the plurality of solar panels. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification