Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Panel or array
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-25
2004-06-15
Diamond, Alan (Department: 1753)
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Photoelectric
Panel or array
C136S291000, C136S293000, C136S251000, C323S906000, C363S060000, C363S178000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06750391
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to modularization of photovoltaic systems. The invention provides a fully integrated and self-contained alternating current (“AC”) photovoltaic (“PV”) Building Block device and method that allows photovoltaic applications to become true plug-and-play devices.
2. Background Art
Note that the following discussion refers to a number of publications by author(s) and year of publication, and that due to recent publication dates certain publications are not to be considered as prior art vis-a-vis the present invention Discussion of such publications herein is given for more complete background and is not to be construed as an admission that such publications are prior art for patentability determination purposes.
Today's photovoltaic power systems are generally comprised of a single photovoltaic module or multiple modules that are connected by combinations of series and parallel circuits as a photovoltaic array. In the case of a single module system producing AC power output, the photovoltaic module is connected to the inverter or load through a junction box that incorporates a fuse to protect the photovoltaic module if backfeeding from other sources (e g; a power utility or a battery) is possible. The photovoltaic modules used in these systems are configured either with a frame or without a frame Frameless photovoltaic modules are generally referred to as a laminate. For conventional systems that utilize multiple laminates or modules, the laminates or modules are interconnected via junction boxes or flying leads and external wiring that must be rated sunlight resistant and sized to carry the rated currents. Some conventional photovoltaic system installations require that the direct current (“DC”) and AC wiring be installed in properly sized and anchored conduit.
A typical method of interconnecting the DC circuits in a conventional photovoltaic system is to have a J-box at the top of each photovoltaic module that provides the terminal block to connect the module circuit to flying-lead conductors that are then fitted with a connector. The J-box also houses the series or “blocking” diode often required by codes and standards to protect the module, especially if more than two strings of modules are paralleled at the combiner box or at the inverter The module is often constructed with a bypass diode(s) that is(are) usually required for conventional photovoltaic applications. This arrangement is used to connect modules in series. Modules are connected in series until the summed operating voltage is within the optimum DC voltage window of the central or string inverter. The connections are typically made under the modules by plugging connectors together or at distributed junction boxes. Some installations leave insufficient space to allow the installer to make the connections reliably. The central inverter can generally handle multiple strings of photovoltaic modules that are then wired in parallel in a stnng-combiner assembly or box before DC power is fed to the inverter.
FIG. 1
illustrates a typical conventional grid-connected photovoltaic system. An array
10
of modules or laminates
11
(each includes bypass diodes) of solar cells
12
is employed, the modules or laminates being in series and parallel combinations. The array is typically required to be grounded. Module interconnect wiring
13
(sometimes requiring conduit) provides power through fuses
14
(typically in module J-boxes) to photovoltaic source circuits
15
(requires wiring and sometimes conduit) to blocking or series diodes
16
typically in combiner box
17
(which may also house surge protection). Photovoltaic output circuit
18
(wiring with conduit) then passes power on to DC disconnect box
19
with PV output overcurrent protection. Wiring
9
(sometimes with conduit) then passes power on to inverter
8
with associated housing (often including ground fault protection), which then passes AC power to AC disconnects, fuses, and surge protection
6
and then on to an AC dedicated branch circuit
5
originating at the service panel
The AC PV Building Block of the present invention eliminates all DC wiring, the requirement for the fuse, the need for bypass diodes or series diodes, the J-box, and connections. All connections except the final AC connections are part of the integrated package of the invention.
FIG. 2
illustrates a typical grid-connected photovoltaic system according to the invention AC PV. Building Block array
22
comprises modules or laminates
24
, each comprising solar cells
26
Power bars or rails
20
attached to the modules each comprise an inverter and AC bus, as well as typically communications and protection hardware A plurality of interconnect bars or rails
28
are attached to a portion of the array and linked to connect a plurality of AC PV Building Blocks in parallel while transferring power and communications via a central point of connection. Power is provided over wiring
25
(sometimes with conduit) to AC disconnects, fuses, and surge protection
23
, and then on to AC dedicated branch circuit
21
originating at the service panel. The AC PV Building Block of the invention eliminates all of the external DC hardware and issues associated with conventional systems and houses the collective AC bus, leaving requirements only for the AC-side disconnects, wiring and interconnects that are very familiar to electricians and electrical contractors. Furthermore, voltages seen by the PV panels/cells never gets to be high because the modules are connected in parallel rather than series. This improves reliability of the PV panel contacts and overall reliability.
The AC PV Building Block of the invention can be employed with any size and/or shape of photovoltaic system that provides AC power to: (1) the utility grid; (2) mini-grids utilizing other sources of AC electrical generation often referred to hybrid systems; or (3) stand-alone power systems that typically use electrical energy storage and an inverter to supply AC power to off-grid loads such as remote residences, communications stations, emergency lighting and the multitude of remote energy systems requiring AC power.
Additionally, the invention can be combined to form complete photovoltaic energy systems that use a single or multiple photovoltaic modules where the entire power interconnection, conversion, protection and combining can take place within a listed or certified structure that also is used to mount, attach and join photovoltaic modules.
The following U.S patents relate generally to the state of the art in photovoltaic systems U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,623, to Wills; U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,572, to Onizuka; U S. Pat. No. 6,201,180, to Meyer; U.S. Pat. No. 6,143,582, to Vu; U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,189, to Garvison; U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,400, to Drummer; U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,495, to Barone; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,963, to Vu.
Pacific Solar manufactures Plug and Power and SunEmpower Systems that employ a micro-inverter. However, the micro-inverter is a separate component that is not physically attached to the photovoltaic panel. Rather, the micro-inverter is electrically interconnected via separate cables to the photovoltaic panel. Furthermore, all interconnects are via cables for the DC-side and also the AC side. The National Electrical Code® in the United States and related codes and standards internationally still require DC fuses, ground-fault detection/interruption, DC disconnects and grounding of the DC side with the Plug and Power/SunEmpower design of Pacific Solar. Further, the installation costs for the Plug and Power/SunEmpower design are increased by the required interconnect devices, the need for a separate inverter housing, and the housing required for J-boxes and/or combiners.
The SunSine® 300 product of Applied Power Corporation also employs a micro-inverter However, exposed cabling is employed to connect each panel's micro-inverter to adjacent panels' micro-inverters.
The following references additionally relate to t
Bower Ward Issac
Ruby Douglas S.
Thomas Michael G.
Diamond Alan
Myers Jeffrey D.
Sandia Corporation
Watson Robert D.
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