ENHANCED SOLAR PANELS, LIQUID DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED PROCESSES FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A power generation system, comprising:
- a server;
a plurality of power panels, each comprisinga plurality of DC power cells, anda control module comprising input connections connected to the plurality of DC power cells, output connections, a signal processing circuit connected to the input connections and to the output connections, and a controller connected to the signal processing circuit, wherein the control module is configured to track one or more operating parameters for the corresponding power panel, and to send a data signal to the server, wherein the data signal corresponds to the tracked parameters;
at least one inverter having input DC terminals, output AC terminals, and an inverter circuit connected to the input DC terminals and output AC terminals; and
a delivery mechanism for distributing a liquid over the outer surface of at least a portion of the solar panels; and
wherein the server is configured to monitor any of efficiency or temperature of one or more of the power panels based upon the received data signals, and to send a control signal to the delivery mechanism when any ofthe monitored efficiency is less than or equal to an efficiency setpoint, orthe monitored temperature exceeds a temperature setpoint; and
wherein the delivery mechanism is controllably activatible in response to the control signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fluid delivery systems and related structures and processes are provided, such as for use with water, treated water, and/or a cleaning solution, for any of cleaning, cooling or any combination thereof, for one or more solar panels in a power generation environment. Enhanced coatings are provided for the incident surface of solar panels, such as to avoid build up of dirt, scale, or other contaminants, and/or to improve cleaning performance. Reclamation, filtration, and reuse structures are preferably provided for the delivered fluid, and seal structures may preferably be implemented between adjoining panels, to minimize loss of the delivered water or cleaning solution.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A power generation system, comprising:
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a server; a plurality of power panels, each comprising a plurality of DC power cells, and a control module comprising input connections connected to the plurality of DC power cells, output connections, a signal processing circuit connected to the input connections and to the output connections, and a controller connected to the signal processing circuit, wherein the control module is configured to track one or more operating parameters for the corresponding power panel, and to send a data signal to the server, wherein the data signal corresponds to the tracked parameters; at least one inverter having input DC terminals, output AC terminals, and an inverter circuit connected to the input DC terminals and output AC terminals; and a delivery mechanism for distributing a liquid over the outer surface of at least a portion of the solar panels; and wherein the server is configured to monitor any of efficiency or temperature of one or more of the power panels based upon the received data signals, and to send a control signal to the delivery mechanism when any of the monitored efficiency is less than or equal to an efficiency setpoint, or the monitored temperature exceeds a temperature setpoint; and wherein the delivery mechanism is controllably activatible in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification