Device and method for global maximum power point tracking
Granted: August 14, 2018
Patent Number:
10050446
A device, system, and method for global maximum power point tracking comprises monitoring an output power of a DC power source while executing a maximum power point tracking algorithm and adjusting a maximum power point tracking command signal in response to the output power being less than a reference output power. The command signal is adjusted until the output power exceeds a previous output power by a reference amount. The command signal may be a voltage command signal, a current…
Solar power generation assembly
Granted: August 14, 2018
Patent Number:
D825448
System and method for establishing communication with an array of inverters
Granted: July 24, 2018
Patent Number:
10033221
A system and method for establishing communication between a controller and a plurality of inverters comprises determining a response time window length and broadcasting a response request to the array of inverters that includes the response time window length. Each inverter, in response to receiving the response requests, transmits a response to the controller at a randomly determined response time within the response time window. In response to receiving an acknowledgement from the…
Solar cell having Ti- or Ta-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer for foil-based metallization
Granted: July 24, 2018
Patent Number:
10032942
Methods of fabricating solar cells using a metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer in foil-based metallization approaches, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a plurality of semiconductor regions in or above a substrate. The method also includes forming a metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer above the plurality of semiconductor regions. The method also includes forming a metal seed…
Sputter tool
Granted: July 24, 2018
Patent Number:
10030303
Sputter tools are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus to support a wafer includes a pallet having a depression to receive the wafer. The pallet includes an opening below the depression, and an edge in the depression is to support the wafer over the opening. A cover at least partially covers the opening. In one example, the cover may be a plate with one or more holes, and a pipe may be located below each of the holes in the cover. In one embodiment, a wafer-processing system…
String inverter system
Granted: July 10, 2018
Patent Number:
10020754
A multi-inverter system with at least a string of inverters sharing a DC bus and outputting to a shared AC bus. Inverters are hot-swappable and configured to be turned on or off during powered cycles. Central control may comprise reducing power point tracking redundancies or promoting other operational changes at individual inverters of a group.
Module assembly for thin solar cells
Granted: July 10, 2018
Patent Number:
10020412
Solar cells are packaged by placing the solar cells between sheets of encapsulants. The encapsulants are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light to cure the encapsulants and bond the encapsulants together to encapsulate the solar cells. The UV curing steps may be performed to bond one of the encapsulants to a transparent top cover and the solar cells, and to bond the other encapsulant to the solar cells and a backsheet. A protective package that includes the transparent top cover, encapsulated…
Semiconductor wafer carriers
Granted: July 10, 2018
Patent Number:
10020213
Semiconductor wafer carriers, methods for manufacturing the semiconductor wafer carriers, and methods for using the semiconductor wafer carriers. The semiconductor wafer carriers can include features for avoiding double-slotting, for preventing glove marks on semiconductor wafers, and for providing additional sitting and storage options for the wafer carrier. In some examples, a semiconductor wafer carrier includes multiple notched left-side rods that are parallel in a vertical direction…
Spacer formation in a solar cell using oxygen ion implantation
Granted: July 3, 2018
Patent Number:
10014425
A solar cell is disclosed. The solar cell has a front side facing the sun during normal operation, and a back side facing away from the sun. The solar cell comprises a silicon substrate, a first polysilicon layer with a region of doped polysilicon on the back side of the substrate. The solar cell also comprises a second polysilicon layer with a second region of doped polysilicon on the back side of the silicon substrate. The second polysilicon layer at least partially covers the region…
Integration of microinverter with photovoltaic module
Granted: June 26, 2018
Patent Number:
10008979
Various technologies for integrating a microinverter with a photovoltaic module are disclosed. An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module includes a photovoltaic module having a frame and a junction box including a direct current (DC) output connector, and a microinverter having a housing coupled to the frame and a DC input connector electrically mated with the DC output connector of the photovoltaic module.
Solar tracker drive
Granted: June 26, 2018
Patent Number:
10006665
A sun-tracking solar drive can include hardware and/or be operated in accordance with a method in which angular deviations are compensated for operation including during forward tracking and backtracking. For example, the effects of thermal expansion and mechanical slop associated with certain components can be calculated and used for calculation of target angles that can provide for increased power output and improved shading avoidance.
Photovoltaic management and module-level power electronics
Granted: June 19, 2018
Patent Number:
10003300
A photovoltaic (PV) system includes module-level power electronic (MLPE) devices that produce energy. The PV system includes a gateway to receive and send data to MLPE devices. The gateway also connects the PV system with a network, such as a local area network, that allows access to the Internet. The gateway provides functionality within the PV system to perform various processes to improve operation of MLPE devices.
Solar collector cable support tray and support system
Granted: June 19, 2018
Patent Number:
10003298
A cable tray and support system facilitates cable management in a solar energy collector system at reduced cost relative to previous cable tray and support systems. The cable tray and support system comprises cables trays, mounting brackets, and vertically-oriented piles. The mounting brackets are coupled to the cables trays and vertically-oriented piles. The mounting brackets include one or more stress relief features (e.g., notches) to allow the mounting bracket to provide cantilevered…
Sun tracking solar power system hardware and method of assembly
Granted: June 12, 2018
Patent Number:
9998064
A solar energy collection system can include improved mounting hardware for reducing hardware costs and labor required for assembly. For example, mounting hardware can include surfaces for supporting part or all of the weight of a solar module as it is brought into contact with mounting hardware and then moved into a final engaged position. In some systems, a torque tube can include saddle mount assemblies that allow a solar module to be partially engaged and a registered with the saddle…
Deposition approaches for emitter layers of solar cells
Granted: June 12, 2018
Patent Number:
9997652
Methods of fabricating solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a thin dielectric layer on a surface of a substrate by radical oxidation or plasma oxidation of the surface of the substrate. The method also involves forming a silicon layer over the thin dielectric layer. The method also involves forming a plurality of emitter regions from the silicon layer.
Damage buffer for solar cell metallization
Granted: June 12, 2018
Patent Number:
9997651
A solar cell structure includes a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. A damage buffer can be disposed above the semiconductor region. First and second conductive layers can be bonded together at a location above the damage buffer.
Self-cleaning solar power system
Granted: June 5, 2018
Patent Number:
9991841
A photovoltaic (PV) module cleaning system can include a robotic cleaning device and a support system. The support system can be configured to provide a metered fill to the robotic cleaning device.
Solar module with aligning encapsulant
Granted: June 5, 2018
Patent Number:
9991405
A photovoltaic module can include an encapsulant having an alignment portion configured to maintain alignment of solar cells during manufacture of the photovoltaic module.
Column cover
Granted: May 29, 2018
Patent Number:
D819137
Thermal management of systems with electric components
Granted: May 29, 2018
Patent Number:
9985582
Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for thermal management of a system of one or more electric components. In some examples, the system includes a housing, one or more electric components, one or more temperature sensors on or in the housing, and a thermal management circuit coupled to the electric components and the temperature sensors. The thermal management circuit is configured to monitor the temperature sensors and, based on monitoring the temperature…
