TIGO ENERGY, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140327313 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOW-COST, HIGH-EFFICIENCY SOLAR PANEL POWER FEED - A cascading regulation system connected to a number of serially connected power sources and uses multiple regulators having different cutoff voltages to provide an output for the local power consumption unit. Each of the regulators is connected to a subset of serially connected power sources and so configured that if the voltage generated at the lowest tap is no longer sufficient for a stable supply to the local power consumption unit, the next higher regulator takes over, and the output voltage drops in small steps reflective of that takeover of the next higher tap. When the voltage generated across a subsection grows, a lower connected tap may take over again, producing a slightly higher output voltage for the local power consumption unit. The cutover steps are chosen such that the output voltage range matches the range given as the acceptable input range for the local power consumption unit. | 11-06-2014 |
20130222144 | ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LARGE SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS - A solar panel system includes a plurality of the panels connected together in one or more panel strings. An embodiment includes a signal generator module connected to the photovoltaic panel strings injecting a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings and a detector module analyzing a frequency response echo from the panel strings. The signal generator may include a string coupling module communicating with a controller. The detector module analyzes the echo to obtain an analog fingerprint for each panel string and determine whether the fingerprint for each panel string is within an acceptable range. The detector module initiates an alarm when one of the fingerprints is outside the acceptable range. During night time, when no current is being produced by the photovoltaic cells, a DC or AC source may be connected to the panel strings to inject a signal onto the strings for the same purpose. | 08-29-2013 |
20130192657 | Enhanced System and Method for Matrix Panel Ties for Large Installations - A low voltage/power ratio photovoltaic power generation panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein at least a subset of the cells are arranged in an array of “x” columns and “y” rows of cells connected in a two dimensional matrix configuration, wherein the cells in each row are connected in parallel and the cells in each column are connected in series. The cells in the panel are connected by arranging the plurality of cells in a plurality of columns, each column having a number of cells; arranging the plurality of columns in the number of rows; and connecting the plurality of cells together in a two dimensional matrix configuration by connecting the cells in each row together in parallel and the cells in each column in series. | 08-01-2013 |
20130094262 | System and Method for Exchangeable Capacitor Modules for High Power Inverters and Converters - A method of and system for monitoring condition of a large capacitor connected across an output of a rectifier circuit in an operating electrical power transmission circuit in order to anticipate capacitor failure and facilitate appropriate corrective action is disclosed. The method includes measuring a ripple voltage on the capacitor and ripple current through the capacitor, determining from a representative signal whether the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold; and sending an output to a controller on a system operator if the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold. The ripple current and ripple voltage measurements may be provided as inputs to a digital to analog converter which produces and sends the representative signal to a microprocessor to generate the output to the controller. | 04-18-2013 |
20130026840 | Systems and Methods to Reduce the Number and Cost of Management Units of Distributed Power Generators - 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. | 01-31-2013 |
20130026839 | Systems and Methods to Combine Strings of Solar Panels - Described herein are apparatuses, systems and methods for configuring and managing the combination of strings of photovoltaic energy generators to improve the energy production performance of such generators. The strings of photovoltaic energy generators are connected to terminals in a combiner box having receptacles for receiving removable modular units of various types. Removable modular units with measurement capabilities are used in the combiner boxes to measure the direct current input provided by the strings; and in light of the measurements, the removable modular units can be selectively downgraded to simpler units that do not have measurement capabilities to reduce cost, and/or selectively upgraded to more sophisticated units that can adjust the output of the respective strings, such as upconverting the output voltage of the respective strings, to improve the performance of the strings. | 01-31-2013 |
20120217973 | System and Method for Flash Bypass - A solar photovoltaic panel is disclosed that includes a photovoltaic cell, a local management unit connected between the cell and a string bus, and a bypass device connected to the cell that is operable to bypass the local management unit when conducting a flash test. The panel preferably further includes a transient detector connected to the cell that is operable to sense an output from the cell having a predetermined transient rise time. The transient detector and the bypass device may be contained within a junction box integrated into the panel and may include the local management unit within the junction box. The transient detector may include a switch connected to a circuit that electrically bypasses the local management unit when the switch is turned on as a result of an output transient rise time less than the predetermined time, thus facilitating a flash test of the photovoltaic panel. | 08-30-2012 |
20120215367 | Systems and Methods for an Identification Protocol Between a Local Controller and a Master Controller - Systems and methods for local and master management units in a photovoltaic energy system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes sending a first identification code from a local management unit to a master management unit. The first identification code is associated with the first local management unit, and the local management unit controls a solar module. An authentication of the first identification code is received from the master management unit. In response to receiving the authentication, active operation of the local management unit is continued (e.g., for a set time period). | 08-23-2012 |
20120199172 | Systems and Methods to Provide Enhanced Diode Bypass Paths - Systems and methods are herein disclosed for efficiently allowing current to bypass a group of solar cells having one or more malfunctioning or shaded solar cells without overwhelming a bypass diode. This can be done using a switch (e.g., a MOSFET) connected in parallel with the bypass diode. By turning the switch on and off, a majority of the bypass current can be routed through the switch, which is configured to handle larger currents than the bypass diode is designed for, leaving only a minority of the current to pass through the bypass diode. | 08-09-2012 |
20120146420 | Device for Distributed Maximum Power Tracking for Solar Arrays - A system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter. In one form the system includes one or more solar generators wherein each solar generator has one to nine solar cells; a maximum power tracker operatively associated with each solar generator, each maximum power tracker including a buck type DC/DC converter without an output inductor, each maximum power tracker being operatively connected in series with each other; an inductor operatively connected to the series connected maximum power trackers; and means for providing electrical power from the inductor to load means, wherein each maximum power tracker is controlled so that the operatively associated solar generator operates at its maximum power point to extract maximum available power. | 06-14-2012 |
20120119584 | Systems and Method for Limiting Maximum Voltage in Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems - Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for regulating or limiting the voltage output from solar modules connected in series such that the voltage on a string bus connecting those solar modules does not exceed regulatory or safety limitations. This can be accomplished via a controller, local management units (for downconverting solar module voltage output), or a combination of the two. | 05-17-2012 |
20120000515 | Systems and Methods for Prevention of Open Loop Damage During or Immediately After Manufacturing - A solar cell having an open loop voltage that approaches a critical voltage range when exposed to light. A circuit, connected to the solar cell, is configured to load the solar cell when the open loop voltage of the solar cell reaches a threshold within a predetermined range of the critical voltage range. | 01-05-2012 |
20110304215 | System for Use of Static Inverters in Variable Energy Generation Environments - A system to collect energy from generation systems such as, for example, wind farms or solar farms with widely distributed energy-generation equipment. In some cases, static inverters are used to feed the energy directly into the power grid. In some other cases, back-to-back static inverters are used create a high-voltage DC transmission line to collect power from multiple generation sites into one feed-in site. | 12-15-2011 |
20110304213 | Method for Use of Static Inverters in Variable Energy Generation Environments - A method to collect energy from generation systems such as, for example, wind farms or solar farms with widely distributed energy-generation equipment. In some cases, static inverters are used to feed the energy directly into the power grid. In some other cases, back-to-back static inverters are used create a high-voltage DC transmission line to collect power from multiple generation sites into one feed-in site. | 12-15-2011 |
20110304204 | Systems and Methods to Optimize Outputs of Static Inverters in Variable Energy Generation Environments - A system to collect energy from generation systems such as, for example, wind farms or solar farms with distributed energy-generation equipment. The energy is collected and transmitted to a feed-in site. At the feed-in site, static inverters alone or in combination with pulse width modulation inverters may be used to feed the energy to a power grid. In some other cases, back-to-back static inverters create a high-voltage direct current to feed a transmission line. | 12-15-2011 |
20110227411 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND CORRECTING A SUBOPTIMAL OPERATION OF ONE OR MORE INVERTERS IN A MULTI-INVERTER SYSTEM - Provided is a system and method for detecting and correcting a suboptimal operation of one or more maximum power point tracking (MPPT) devices in a solar photovoltaic power generation (SPVPG) system. MPPT devices may become stuck in a local maximum in a power curve and fail to reach an optimal maximum power point. Described herein are methods and systems for detecting sub-optimal performance of an MPPT device and managing components within the SPVPG system to cause the MPPT device to track a different maximum power point. | 09-22-2011 |
20110079263 | Systems and Methods to Provide Enhanced Diode Bypass Paths - Systems and methods are herein disclosed for efficiently allowing current to bypass a group of solar cells having one or more malfunctioning or shaded solar cells without overwhelming a bypass diode. This can be done using a switch (e.g., a MOSFET) connected in parallel with the bypass diode. By turning the switch on and off, a majority of the bypass current can be routed through the switch, which is configured to handle larger currents than the bypass diode is designed for, leaving only a minority of the current to pass through the bypass diode. | 04-07-2011 |
20110062784 | Device for Distributed Maximum Power Tracking for Solar Arrays - The present invention is a system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter. In one form the system for providing power from solar cells includes one or more solar generators wherein each of said solar generators has one to nine solar cells; a maximum power tracker operatively associated with each solar generator, each of said maximum power tracker includes a buck type DC/DC converter without an output inductor, each of said maximum power trackers are operatively connected in series with each other; an inductor operatively connected to the series connected maximum power trackers; and means for providing electrical power from the inductor to load means, wherein each of said maximum power trackers is controlled so that the operatively associated solar generator operates at its maximum power point to extract maximum available power. | 03-17-2011 |
20110050190 | Systems and Methods for Enhanced Efficiency Auxiliary Power Supply Module - Provided is a power supply for use in a solar electric production system, including: a first stage having an input connected to a voltage from a photovoltaic panel and an output providing a first voltage different from the voltage from the photovoltaic panel; and a second stage connected to the output of the first stage, the second stage supplying power at a second voltage to a micro-controller, where the output of the first stage is turned on and stable for a period of time before the second stage is turned on to supply the power at the second voltage to the micro-controller. | 03-03-2011 |
20110048502 | Systems and Methods of Photovoltaic Cogeneration - Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling photovoltaic cell temperature by removing excess thermal energy from photovoltaic cells in a photovoltaic module and using the excess thermal energy for heating or to drive a heating and/or cooling apparatus. In one instance, the heating and/or cooling apparatus is an absorption chiller. A generator of the absorption chiller can either be thermally connected to the photovoltaic module or can be heated by transferring the thermal energy from the photovoltaic module to the absorption chiller via a heating fluid such as water. | 03-03-2011 |
20110025130 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR LIMITING MAXIMUM VOLTAGE IN SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS - Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for regulating or limiting the voltage output from solar modules connected in series such that the voltage on a string bus connecting those solar modules does not exceed regulatory or safety limitations. This can be accomplished via a controller, local management units (for downconverting solar module voltage output), or a combination of the two. | 02-03-2011 |
20100332047 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISTRIBUTED POWER FACTOR CORRECTION AND PHASE BALANCING - A power management system includes a plurality of monitors, communicatively coupled together over a communications medium. Each respective monitor of the plurality of monitors is configured to capture power factor (PF) data at a corresponding distribution segment for calculation of a PF correction. | 12-30-2010 |
20100327807 | Enhanced Battery Storage and Recovery Energy Systems - Systems and methods are herein disclosed for efficiently and cost-effectively balancing the voltages across batteries and/or cells in an energy storage system. A controller monitors the battery voltages and instructs regulator circuits to balance voltages between any batteries or sets of batteries having imbalanced voltages. Regulator circuits implementing a modified Ćuk converter can be utilized. Regulator circuits can have two capacitive circuits, one inductive circuit, and two switches. Two capacitors, an inductor, and two field effect transistors can be used in each regulator circuit. | 12-30-2010 |
20100139732 | System and Method for Prevention of Open Loop Damage During or Immediately After Manufacturing - A solar cell having an open loop voltage that approaches a critical voltage range when exposed to light. A circuit, connected to the solar cell, is configured to load the solar cell when the open loop voltage of the solar cell reaches a threshold within a predetermined range of the critical voltage range. | 06-10-2010 |
20100127571 | Systems and Methods to Balance Solar Panels in a Multi-Panel System - Systems and methods to balance currents among a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series. In aspect, a management unit is coupled between a photovoltaic energy production unit and a string of energy production units. The management unit has an energy storage element (e.g., a capacitor) connected to the photovoltaic energy production unit. The management unit further has a switch to selectively couple to the energy storage element and the photovoltaic energy production unit to the string. The management unit allows the current in the string to be larger than the current in the photovoltaic energy production unit. | 05-27-2010 |
20100127570 | Systems and Methods for Using a Power Converter for Transmission of Data over the Power Feed - Apparatuses and methods include a photovoltaic energy production unit to generate electricity. A local management unit is coupled between the photovoltaic energy production unit and a connection of energy production units forming a string bus. The local management unit includes a controller and switching circuitry. The controller provide a control for the switching circuitry to deliver electrical energy to the string bus. A communication transmission modulator is associated with the local management unit. The communication transmission modulator modulates the control with data to be transmitted from the local management unit over the string bus. | 05-27-2010 |
20100118985 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CURRENT-MODE POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS - An apparatus and method includes a solar panel. A power bus is coupled to the solar panel, and supports transmission of AC communication signals. The power bus includes a high current power wire. A current transformer is coupled to the power bus adjacent the solar panel. A capacitor, coupled to the power bus, is connected in parallel with the solar panel, and connected between the solar panel and the current transformer. | 05-13-2010 |
20100117858 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COST-EFFECTIVE POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS FOR SENSOR DATA COLLECTION - A method and system includes a solar panel. A power bus is coupled to the solar panel. The power bus supports transmission of AC communication signals. A slave node, coupled to the power bus, transmits information regarding solar panel performance. A master node, remotely coupled to the slave node over the power bus, receives the information regarding solar panel performance from the slave node. | 05-13-2010 |
20100027297 | Step-Up Converter Systems and Methods - Methods and systems with a step-up converter are provided based on a boost converter. In one aspect, a step-up converter includes: a boost converter having a first inductor; a second inductor paired on a core with the first inductor; and a rectifier circuit coupled with the second inductor to generate a direct current output. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026097 | Systems to Connect Multiple Direct Current Energy Sources to an Alternating Current System - High voltage direct current systems to connect direct current energy sources to an alternating current system. In one aspect, a system includes a plurality of direct current modules having variable direct current inputs; an inverter; and a direct current bus to connect the direct current modules to the inverter, where the bus is configured to operate at a nominal voltage higher than 100 volts and to operate within 10 percent of the nominal operating voltage. | 02-04-2010 |
20090150005 | Method and System to Provide a Distributed Local Energy Production System with High-Voltage DC Bus - A method and system to provide a distributed local energy production system with high-voltage DC bus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a management unit to be interconnected via a network bus to a set of link modules, each link module coupled to a separate local energy production unit, each link module to include a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) step-up converter and a parameter monitoring unit to produce parameter data for the respective local energy production unit, and the local energy production units to be coupled to a high voltage power line to deliver produced electrical energy to a consumer of the energy; and the management unit to receive measured parameters from the link modules, and to send control signals to link modules to provide individual operational control of the local energy production units, the management unit to be coupled to one or more separate computers to provide the computers with access to the parameter data and control of the local energy production units. | 06-11-2009 |
20090146505 | Apparatuses and Methods to Connect Power Sources to an Electric Power System - Apparatuses and methods to firewall distributed energy sources. In one aspect, an apparatus includes: a first connector configured to interface with a distributed energy source; a second connector configured to interface with a connection point of an electric power system; at least one switch coupled between the first connector and the second connector; at least one sensor coupled with the switch; and a controller coupled with the at least one switch, the controller to use the at least one switch to selectively connect or disconnect an electric path between the first connector and the second connector based on signals from the at least one sensor. | 06-11-2009 |
20090133736 | Apparatuses and Methods to Reduce Safety Risks Associated with Photovoltaic Systems - Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems by providing a safety switch on a photovoltaic panel. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic panel includes: at least one photovoltaic cell; a connector to output energy from the photovoltaic panel; and a switch coupled between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the connector. The switch is configured to disconnect the at least one photovoltaic cell from the connector during installation of the photovoltaic panel, and to connect the at least one photovoltaic cell with the connector after installation of the photovoltaic panel. | 05-28-2009 |
20090120485 | Method and System for Connecting Solar Cells or Slices in a Panel System - A method and system include a plurality of solar cells and a plurality of voltage controllers. Each of the plurality of solar cells is directly coupled to a dedicated one of the plurality of voltage controllers to form unique pairs of solar cells and voltage controllers. Each of a plurality of panels contain a plurality of unique pairs. | 05-14-2009 |
20090114263 | Apparatuses and Methods to Reduce Safety Risks Associated with Photovoltaic Systems - Apparatuses and methods to reduce safety risks associated with photovoltaic systems by providing a safety switch on a photovoltaic panel. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic panel includes: at least one photovoltaic cell; a connector to output energy from the photovoltaic panel; and a switch coupled between the at least one photovoltaic cell and the connector. The switch is configured to disconnect the at least one photovoltaic cell from the connector during installation of the photovoltaic panel, and to connect the at least one photovoltaic cell with the connector after installation of the photovoltaic panel. | 05-07-2009 |