Systems and Methods for an Enhanced Watchdog in Solar Module Installations
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a watchdog unit coupled between a solar module and a power bus and configured to;
monitor a communication from a central controller;
determine that the communication is interrupted; and
disconnect the solar module from the power bus when the communication is interrupted.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically or remotely rendering a solar array safe during an emergency or maintenance. A watchdog unit is disclosed for monitoring a signal from a central controller. If the signal is lost, interrupted, or becomes irregular, or if a shutdown signal is received, then the watchdog unit can shutdown one or more solar modules. Shutting down a solar module can mean disconnecting it from a power bus of the solar array or lowering the solar module voltage to a safe level.
312 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
a watchdog unit coupled between a solar module and a power bus and configured to; monitor a communication from a central controller; determine that the communication is interrupted; and disconnect the solar module from the power bus when the communication is interrupted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
a watchdog device coupled between a solar module and a power bus, the watchdog device configured to; verify communication with a central controller; and shutdown the solar module if communication with the central controller cannot be verified. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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monitoring, via a computing device, a signal from a central controller; determining, via the computing device, if the signal has been lost; disconnecting, via the computing device, one or more solar modules from a power bus if the signal has been lost; determining, via the computing device, if the signal includes a shutdown command; disconnecting, via the computing device, the one or more solar modules from the power bus if the signal includes a shutdown command; waiting, via the computing device, for a restart signal; and connecting, via the computing device, the one or more solar modules to the power bus when the restart signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification