An electrical system includes inverters coupled together in parallel and coupled to a common DC bus. The electrical system also includes a common AC bus coupled between outputs of the inverters and an electrical power grid. The electrical system also includes local controllers coupled to the inverters and decentralized controllers coupled to the local controllers. The decentralized controllers measure voltages and currents of the electrical power grid and the inverters and generate decentralized control signals for the local control controllers based on the measured voltages and currents. The electrical system also includes a centralized controller in communication with the local controllers. The centralized controller predicts a DC load and generates centralized control signals for the local controllers to maintain a constant voltage on the common DC bus based on the predicted DC load.
A solar tracker including a drive device, a D-shaped torque tube section configured to be rotated by the drive device, and at least one bearing configured to receive the D-shaped torque tube section, the D-shaped torque tube being suspended between the drive device and the bearing.
A solar tracker including a torque tube, a plurality of bearings configured to receive the torque tube, a plurality of piers each configured to receive one of the plurality of bearings, and a lock-out device mounted on one of the plurality of piers and operatively associated with at least one of the plurality of bearings, the lock out device configured to periodically engage and disengage openings formed in the bearings to limit movement of the torque tube and to transfer load from the torque tube to the pier on which it is mounted.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p.ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
F24S 50/20 - Agencements pour commander les collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le suivi
F16D 11/04 - Embrayages dans lesquels les organes ont des parties qui se pénètrent mutuellement désembrayés par le contact avec un organe fixe d'une pièce montée sur l'embrayage avec organes d'embrayage mobiles selon l'axe uniquement
F24S 30/42 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le déplacement en rotation avec un seul axe de rotation
F16D 11/00 - Embrayages dans lesquels les organes ont des parties qui se pénètrent mutuellement
A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly, a frame, the frame defining an A-profile having a pair of legs and a crown at a center portion thereof, and a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket coupled to a portion of the crown of the frame at a first portion thereof and coupled to a portion of the bearing housing assembly at a second portion thereof.
A solar tracker bearing and a solar tracker incorporating the bearing, the bearing including at least one rotatable part, the rotatable part including a notch for receiving a torque tube, a slot, formed in the rotatable part and extending below the notch, the slot defining an arc having multiple radii, at least one engagement member configured to be received in the slot, and at least one base configured to secure the engagement member in the slot and to secure the bearing to a pier.
A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.
A distributed direct current power system including an inverter to invert DC to alternating current (AC), a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) strings, and a plurality of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) converters coupled between the plurality of photovoltaic (PV) strings, respectively, and the central inverter, the plurality of MPPT converters configured to maximize solar power production by the plurality of PV strings and minimize mismatch between the plurality of PV strings. The system also including a plurality of batteries, a plurality of DC-DC battery converters (DCBC) coupled to the plurality of batteries and configured to manage charge and discharge of the plurality of batteries, enable interconnection of the plurality of PV strings and the plurality of batteries, and supply a constant medium DC voltage to the central inverter, and a hydrogen generation system in electrical communication with the inverter, the photovoltaic strings or the batteries.
H02J 3/38 - Dispositions pour l’alimentation en parallèle d’un seul réseau, par plusieurs générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs
H02J 3/32 - Dispositions pour l'équilibrage de charge dans un réseau par emmagasinage d'énergie utilisant des batteries avec moyens de conversion
H02J 7/35 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p.ex. batterie tampon avec des cellules sensibles à la lumière
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
C25B 1/04 - Hydrogène ou oxygène par électrolyse de l'eau
C25B 9/00 - PROCÉDÉS ÉLECTROLYTIQUES OU ÉLECTROPHORÉTIQUES POUR LA PRODUCTION DE COMPOSÉS ORGANIQUES OU MINÉRAUX, OU DE NON-MÉTAUX; APPAREILLAGES À CET EFFET Éléments de structure des cellules; Assemblages d'éléments de structure, p.ex. assemblages d'électrode-diaphragme; Caractéristiques des cellules relatives aux procédés
The present disclosure describes a solar power system including at least one mounting assembly including a rail, at least one framed solar module, and at least one clip to secure the solar module to the rail. The clip includes at least a pair of sidewalls extending from a top plate or rear wall, each sidewall including a slot, a recess, and a locking member, at least one of the slot, recess, or both include a serrated edge. The clips may secure a solar module to the rail by coupling to the frame of the solar module to a rail of the mounting assembly within the slots of the sidewalls. The clips may be secured to the mounting assembly by locking members positioned on a distal end thereof. The clips may establish an electrical grounding connection between the frame of the solar module and the rail.
H02S 20/00 - Structures de support pour modules PV
F24S 25/634 - Moyens de fixation, p.ex. moyens d’assemblage, spécialement adaptés pour supporter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour fixer les modules ou leurs cadres périphériques aux éléments de support Éléments encliquetables
9.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SPLIT-CELL AND MULTI-PANEL PHOTOVOLTAIC TRACKING CONTROL
Split-cell and multi-panel photovoltaic backtracking control systems and methods allow for increased total power generation during low sun elevation conditions by shading a percentage of panel modules, thereby allowing for a lower angle of incidence on unshaded modules. The control systems and methods involve determining a sun elevation angle, a traditional backtracking angle, a split-cell or multi-panel backtracking angle, a single-cell or single-panel relative light transmission (RLT) based on the single-cell or single-panel backtracking angle, and a split-cell or multi-panel RLT based on the split-cell or multi-panel backtracking angle. If twice the single-cell or single-panel RLT is greater than the split-cell or multi-panel RLT, the split-cell or multi-panel backtracking angle is used; otherwise, the single-cell or single-panel backtracking angle is used. The control systems and methods may further involve determining a diffuse fraction index (DFI) and, if the DFI is greater than a DFI limit, using a DFI tracking angle.
The present disclosure describes a solar power system including rails, solar modules, and a plurality of adjustable clips to secure the solar modules to the rails. The clips include at least a base member, an elastomeric support member, a bracket member, and an alignment member configured to secure the various members of the clip together. The adjustable clips are configured to slide within a slot defined through a portion of a surface of a rail and including a recessed edge thereby allowing the rail system to accommodate solar modules of varying dimensions.
H02S 20/23 - Structures de support directement fixées sur un objet inamovible spécialement adaptées pour les bâtiments spécialement adaptées aux structures de toit
The present disclosure describes an expandable splice configured for reinforcing a tube of a solar owner system, the splice including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and at least one beveled corner panel, wherein the first and second side panels are connected to the top and bottom panels either directly or by the at least one beveled corner panel to form a channel therebetween.
Solar power systems and methods utilize DC power transmission and centralized power inversion. The solar power systems include a photovoltaic (PV) bus system and a fixed bus system. The PV system utilizes a control mode handoff control method, which includes determining that a local maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control is enabled; in response to determining that the local MPPT control is enabled, starting an MPPT mode timer; performing local MPPT; determining that the MPPT mode timer is greater than a predetermined period; and, in response to determining that the MPPT mode timer is greater than a predetermined period, handing off MPPT control to the next MPPT controller. The distributed MPPT control method may include sequential MPPT control, adaptive ΔV MPPT control, and/or power limiting control. The fixed bus system includes PV string-level MPPT controllers and a fixed DC input central inverter or multiple fixed DC modular inverters.
H02S 40/36 - Composants électriques caractérisés par des moyens d'interconnexions électriques spéciaux entre plusieurs modules PV, p.ex. connexion électrique module à module
A power converter converts a medium-voltage output from a solar module to an appropriate voltage to power a solar tracker system. The power converter includes a voltage divider having at least two legs, a first semiconductor switch subassembly coupled in parallel with a first leg of the voltage divider, and a second semiconductor switch subassembly coupled in parallel with a second leg of the voltage divider. The power converter may be a unidirectional or a bidirectional power converter. In implementations, the signals for driving the semiconductor switches of the first and second semiconductor switch subassemblies may be shifted out of phase from each other. In implementations, if the bus voltages to the semiconductor switches are not balanced, the pulse width of the driving signal of the semiconductor switch supplied with the higher bus voltage is decreased for at least one cycle.
H02M 3/158 - Transformation d'une puissance d'entrée en courant continu en une puissance de sortie en courant continu sans transformation intermédiaire en courant alternatif par convertisseurs statiques utilisant des tubes à décharge avec électrode de commande ou des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs avec électrode de commande utilisant des dispositifs du type triode ou transistor exigeant l'application continue d'un signal de commande utilisant uniquement des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs avec commande automatique de la tension ou du courant de sortie, p.ex. régulateurs à commutation comprenant plusieurs dispositifs à semi-conducteurs comme dispositifs de commande finale pour une charge unique
14.
STAGED STOWAGE OF SOLAR TRACKERS AND METHODS THEREOF
Methods and systems of managing dynamic response to wind in a solar tracker system are provided. The method includes determining a wind speed, comparing the wind speed to a predetermined threshold value to determine if the wind speed equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold, positioning a windward most solar tracker to a predetermined angle based on the comparing, and positioning a leeward most solar tracker to the predetermined angle based on the comparing. The solar trackers are positioned at the predetermined angle at a predetermined interval starting at the windward most solar tracker and the remaining solar trackers remain in a normal operating condition.
F24J 2/38 - comportant des dispositifs de poursuite (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 ont priorité;montages ou supports rotatifs pour ces dispositifs F24J 2/54;structures de support pour modules photovoltaïques spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil H02S 20/32)
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p.ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
F24S 50/20 - Agencements pour commander les collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le suivi
A solar tracking system comprises multiple solar panel modules forming a grid of solar panel modules, wherein the multiple solar panel modules are movable relative to a solar source independently of each other; and a control system configured to orient each of the multiple solar panel modules to the solar source independently of each other based on a performance model to optimize an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules, wherein the performance model predicts an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules based on a topography of the area containing the grid of solar panel modules and weather conditions local to each of the solar panel modules.
A solar module mounting bracket assembly includes a rail configured to support a solar module thereon, and a pair of braces. The braces each have a first end portion movably coupled to the rail. The braces are movable relative to the rail between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the braces cooperatively define a channel dimensioned for receipt of a frame member.
A solar tracker including solar modules which include, a frame and a plurality of bifacial solar cells supported by the frame. The solar modules also including a gap formed between two or more of the solar cells, the gap being formed proximate a centerline of the solar modules and configured to a allow passage of light from a first side of the solar modules to a second side of a solar modules, where the light passing through the gap is reflected back onto the plurality of bifacial solar cells and converted to electrical energy.
H01L 31/042 - Modules PV ou matrices de cellules PV individuelles
H01L 31/068 - Dispositifs à semi-conducteurs sensibles aux rayons infrarouges, à la lumière, au rayonnement électromagnétique d'ondes plus courtes, ou au rayonnement corpusculaire, et spécialement adaptés, soit comme convertisseurs de l'énergie dudit rayonnement e; Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication ou au traitement de ces dispositifs ou de leurs parties constitutives; Leurs détails adaptés comme dispositifs de conversion photovoltaïque [PV] caractérisés par au moins une barrière de potentiel ou une barrière de surface les barrières de potentiel étant uniquement du type homojonction PN, p.ex. cellules solaires à homojonction PN en silicium massif ou cellules solaires à homojonction PN en couches minces de silicium polycristallin
H02S 20/22 - Structures de support directement fixées sur un objet inamovible spécialement adaptées pour les bâtiments
G01N 17/00 - Recherche de la résistance des matériaux aux intempéries, à la corrosion ou à la lumière
G01N 33/00 - Recherche ou analyse des matériaux par des méthodes spécifiques non couvertes par les groupes
A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a plurality of support beams configured to support the solar array, a torque tube coupled to the plurality of support beams, a base configured to rotatably support the torque tube, and an articulation system configured to rotate the torque tube relative to the base. The articulation system includes a first helical tube coupled to the torque tube, a first helical tube support disposed on the base and configured to slidably support the first helical tube, and a gearbox in mechanical communication with the first helical tube. Actuation of the gearbox causes the first helical tube to translate within the first helical tube support and the first helical tube support is configured to rotate the first helical tube as the first helical tube is translated therein to cause a corresponding rotation of the solar array.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p.ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
F24S 30/00 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire
F24S 30/20 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le déplacement linéaire
F24S 30/40 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le déplacement en rotation
F24S 30/42 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le déplacement en rotation avec un seul axe de rotation
Systems and methods for managing flow batteries utilize a battery management controller (BMC) coupled between a flow battery and a DC/DC converter, which is coupled to an electrical grid or a photovoltaic device via an inverter. The inverter converts an AC voltage to a first DC voltage and the DC/DC converter steps down the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage. The BMC includes a first power route, a second power route, and a current source converter coupled to the second power route. The BMC initializes the flow battery with a third DC voltage using the current source converter until a sensing circuit senses that the voltage of the flow battery has reached a predetermined voltage. The sensing circuit may include a capacitor, which has a small capacitance and is coupled across each cell of the flow battery, coupled in series between two resistors having very large resistances.
H01M 10/46 - Accumulateurs combinés par structure avec un appareil de charge
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
H02J 7/35 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p.ex. batterie tampon avec des cellules sensibles à la lumière
20.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING SHADING FOR SOLAR TRACKERS
A solar tracker system including a tracker apparatus including a plurality of solar modules, each of the solar modules being spatially configured to face in a normal manner in an on sun position in an incident direction of electromagnetic radiation derived from the sun, wherein the solar modules include a plurality of PV strings, and a tracker controller. The tracker controller includes a processor, a memory, a power supply configured to provide power to the tracker controller, a plurality of power inputs configured to receive a plurality of currents from the plurality of PV strings, a current sensing unit configured to individually monitor the plurality of currents, a DC-DC power converter configured to receive the plurality of power inputs powered from the plurality of PV strings to supply power to the power supply, and a motor controller, wherein the tracker controller is configured to track the sun position.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p.ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
H02S 40/34 - Composants électriques comprenant une connexion électrique structurellement associée au module PV, p.ex. boîtes de jonction
H02S 40/36 - Composants électriques caractérisés par des moyens d'interconnexions électriques spéciaux entre plusieurs modules PV, p.ex. connexion électrique module à module
H01L 31/05 - Moyens d’interconnexion électrique entre les cellules PV à l’intérieur du module PV, p.ex. connexion en série de cellules PV
H02M 3/00 - Transformation d'une puissance d'entrée en courant continu en une puissance de sortie en courant continu
A solar module mounting bracket system including a plurality of solar modules including mounting slots formed in a sidewall of the solar module, a torque tube configured to support the solar modules such that they can be rotated, a plurality of mounting brackets configured for integration with the torque tube and to which the plurality of solar modules are mounted, at least one first retainer assembly connected to one of the plurality of mounting brackets, the first retainer assembly including a through bolt, a spring, a mounting tab, and nut. When a solar module is placed on the mounting bracket and supported by the torque tube the mounting tab retainer assembly is received in the mounting slot of the solar module.
Systems and methods integrate advanced solar tracker, battery, inverter, and software technologies to improve performance, plant output, and costs. The systems may incorporate an advanced vanadium flow battery (VFB) that is DC-voltage (DV)-coupled to photovoltaic (PV) arrays for high, round-trip efficiency. The systems incorporate a DC architecture that optimizes performance for commercial, industrial, agricultural, and utility applications. A distributed direct current (DC) power system includes a centralized, single-stage inverter; PV arrays; maximum power point tracking (MPPT) converters coupled between the PV arrays and the centralized, single-stage inverter; batteries; and DC-DC battery converters (DCBCs) coupled to the batteries. The MPPT converters maximize solar power production by the PV arrays and minimize mismatch between the PV arrays. The DCBCs manage charge and discharge of the batteries, enable the interconnection of the PV arrays and the batteries, and supply a constant medium voltage to the central inverter.
A multi-power distributed storage system including a first power source; a second power source electrically connected to a common bus with the first power source; a single input port inverter electrically connected to the common bus. The system including a controller configured to communicate with at least the second power source, and the single input port inverter. The second power source including a plurality of battery banks and a plurality of bi-directional DC/DC converters configured to charge and discharge the plurality of battery banks and provide DC to the single input port inverter.
A bifacial solar module with enhanced power output including first and second transparent support layers, a plurality of electrically interconnected bifacial solar cells arranged between the transparent support layers with gaps between one or more of the interconnected solar cells and edges of the first and second transparent support layers, the bifacial solar cells having a first side directly exposed to solar radiation and a second side opposite the first. The bifacial solar module further includes one or more micro-structured reflective tapes positioned coincidentally with the gaps and attached to a surface of the second support layer such that light passing through the second support layer is reflected back into the second support layer at angles such that light reflecting from the tape is absorbed by either the first or second side of the bifacial solar cells.
H01L 31/02 - Dispositifs à semi-conducteurs sensibles aux rayons infrarouges, à la lumière, au rayonnement électromagnétique d'ondes plus courtes, ou au rayonnement corpusculaire, et spécialement adaptés, soit comme convertisseurs de l'énergie dudit rayonnement e; Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication ou au traitement de ces dispositifs ou de leurs parties constitutives; Leurs détails - Détails
A multi-power source system including a first power source, a second power source in a parallel with the first power source, and a diode preventing power from the second power source to drive the first power source but permitting the first power source to charge the second power source. The system also includes a controller operably coupled to both the first and second power sources, and a plurality of field effect transistor (FETs) arranged in series with one or more of the first power source, the second power source, and the load, wherein controller can switch the plurality of FETs to enable the first power source to drive the load or the second power source to drive the load.
H02J 7/35 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p.ex. batterie tampon avec des cellules sensibles à la lumière
H02J 7/34 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p.ex. batterie tampon
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
H02S 20/00 - Structures de support pour modules PV
A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p.ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
F16M 13/00 - Autres supports ou appuis pour positionner les appareils ou les objets; Moyens pour maintenir en position les appareils ou objets tenus à la main
H02S 20/10 - Structures de support directement fixées sur le sol
H02S 20/30 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p.ex. pour réglage de l’angle
A solar system is provided and includes a solar array and a support structure configured to support the solar array. The support structure includes structural beam which includes an upper plate, a lower plate that is disposed opposite to the upper plate, a first side plate interposed between the upper and lower plates, and a second side plate interposed between the upper and lower plates and spaced apart from the first side plate. Each of the upper and lower plates is fixedly coupled to the first and second plates by a plurality of joints formed by clinching.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p.ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
F16M 13/00 - Autres supports ou appuis pour positionner les appareils ou les objets; Moyens pour maintenir en position les appareils ou objets tenus à la main
H02S 20/10 - Structures de support directement fixées sur le sol
H02S 20/30 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p.ex. pour réglage de l’angle
A solar tracking system (200) comprises multiple solar panel modules (SPMi) forming a grid of solar panel modules, wherein the multiple solar panel modules (SPMi) are orientatable to a solar source independently of each other; and a control system (SPCi) configured to orient each of the multiple solar panel modules (SPMi) to the solar source independently of each other based on a performance model to optimize an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules, wherein the performance model predicts an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules based on a topography of the area containing the grid of solar panel modules and weather conditions local to each of the solar panel modules (SPMi).
A testing platform tests an electrical and mechanical system such as an HVAC unit according to an algorithm that reduces the total testing time of the components of the system, while ensuring the safety of the system during system-wide testing. The platform uses constraints that are checked both before and during the testing to ensure that HVAC operating conditions are acceptable for starting and maintaining component tests. Preferably, the platform uses finite-state machines for each device to organize the component tests, allowing for monitoring of constraints and starting, pausing, and stopping component tests. Preferably, total test execution time is reduced by running component tests in parallel, running component tests based on loads of the components, or combinations of both.
In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
brevets
