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Renewable energy system with integrated home power

  • US 9,559,521 B1
  • Filed: 12/09/2015
  • Issued: 01/31/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A renewable energy system comprising:

  • a renewable energy source configured to generate a power output;

    a first inverter connected to the renewable energy source to convert at least a portion of the power output of the renewable energy source to a first AC power output;

    a distribution panel operable to selectively connect the first inverter to each of a utility grid and a load, so as to selectively connect the first AC power output to one or more of the load and the utility grid;

    a first connection path connecting the first inverter to the distribution panel to provide a transfer of the first AC power output to the distribution panel;

    a power supply system connected to the renewable energy source along a second connection path in parallel with the first connection path, the power supply system comprising;

    a voltage modification circuit configured to condition power received thereby to generate a DC power output;

    at least one energy storage device configured to store the DC power output from the voltage modification circuit; and

    a second inverter connected to the at least one energy storage device to receive DC power therefrom and convert the DC power to a second AC power output, with an output of the second inverter connected to the distribution panel via the second connection path;

    a bi-directional utility meter configured to measure a net flow of the first AC power output, the second AC power output, and a grid power to the load from each of the renewable energy source, the power supply system, and the utility grid, respectively, based on a power requirement of the load; and

    a controller in operable communication with the power supply system to control an amount of power received by the power supply system and control an amount of the second AC power output generated by the power supply system;

    wherein the power supply system and the controller operate to provide a DC voltage on the second parallel connection path that is separately controllable from a DC voltage on the first connection path.

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