A photovoltaic (PV) assembly is adapted for installation between laterally adjoining or adjacent greenhouses that comprise respective longitudinally aligned pluralities of transverse structural ribs. The PV assembly comprises (i) a frame subassembly and an array of PV panels joined thereto and pivotable therewith about a longitudinal axis of the PV assembly, and (ii) a longitudinally aligned plurality of load-bearing support subassemblies coupled to the frame, each configured for attachment to a respective pair of opposing structural ribs of the adjoining or adjacent greenhouses.
A01G 9/24 - Dispositifs de chauffage, d'aération, de régulation de la température ou d'irrigation dans les serres, les châssis ou les installations similaires
H02S 20/00 - Structures de support pour modules PV
A solar energy system comprises an inverter, an array of PV assemblies, and a set of current-probe assemblies installed in PV assemblies. Each PV assembly comprises a pivotable group of PV panels, a drive system comprising an electric motor and a gearing arrangement, and electronic circuitry comprising a communications arrangement and operative to regulate operation of the electric motor. The PV panels are connected electrically to form a plurality of strings in at least indirect electrical communication with the inverter. At least one string comprises PV panels of different PV assemblies. At least one current-probe assembly is placed in each of the plurality of strings, and each current-probe assembly is operative to measure a direct current value in a respective string.
H02S 40/32 - Composants électriques comprenant un onduleur CC/CA associé au module PV lui-même, p. ex. module CA
H02S 20/30 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle
H02S 40/36 - Composants électriques caractérisés par des moyens d'interconnexions électriques spéciaux entre plusieurs modules PV, p. ex. connexion électrique module à module
H02S 50/10 - Tests de dispositifs PV, p. ex. de modules PV ou de cellules PV individuelles
3.
INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC TRACKERS BETWEEN AND/OR ATOP GREENHOUSES
A photovoltaic (PV) assembly is adapted for installation between laterally adjoining or adjacent greenhouses that comprise respective longitudinally aligned pluralities of transverse structural ribs. The PV assembly comprises (i) a frame subassembly and an array of PV panels joined thereto and pivotable therewith about a longitudinal axis of the PV assembly, and (ii) a longitudinally aligned plurality of load-bearing support subassemblies, each configured for attachment to a respective pair of opposing structural ribs of the adjoining or adjacent greenhouses.
In a solar energy system, a photovoltaic (PV) assembly includes an array of PV panels joined to and pivotable together with a frame subassembly. A drive system includes a motor assembly including an electric motor and a drive-system controller, and a pivot-wheel assembly for transferring torque from the electric motor to the frame subassembly. The pivot-wheel assembly includes a drive chain joined to a hoop portion at two opposing coupling points defining limits of the mechanical pivot range of the PV assembly. A drive-system protection arrangement includes a pair of spaced-apart tab portions comprising respective sensor targets, joined to the hoop portion and circumferentially displaced from the two opposing coupling points, and a sensor in electronic communication with the drive-system controller and operative to send a signal thereto indicating detection of a proximate presence of one of the sensor targets.
In a solar energy system, a photovoltaic (PV) assembly includes a frame subassembly and an array of PV panels joined to and pivotable with the frame assembly. A support pylon comprises a hollow member open on a first side. A drive system includes an electric motor and a pivot-wheel assembly comprising a drive chain joined to a hoop portion. The pivot-wheel assembly is arranged to transfer a torque from the electric motor to the frame subassembly. The electric motor is at least partly disposed within the hollow member and is mounted to a wall of the hollow member. A gearing arrangement includes a drive shaft passing through an aperture in the wall so as to place the motor in geared communication with the drive chain via a sprocketed drive wheel.
A method of calibrating an angular position of a PV module in a solar energy system includes calculating a set of respective minimum-irradiance angles for a plurality of times during a travel period, pivoting the PV module through an actual travel path having an angular offset from a target travel path that is selected to intercept, at least once, a range of angles within a selected angular error away from a respective minimum-irradiance angle, and determining the angular offset, based on respective irradiance-value measurements obtained at a plurality of pivot angles along the actual travel path, where each respective irradiance-value measurement can include irradiance and/or a parameter characterizing electricity produced from the irradiance.
H02S 50/00 - Surveillance ou tests de systèmes PV, p. ex. équilibrage de charge ou identification des défauts
G01B 21/22 - Dispositions pour la mesure ou leurs détails, où la technique de mesure n'est pas couverte par les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe, est non spécifiée ou est non significative pour mesurer des angles ou des conicitésDispositions pour la mesure ou leurs détails, où la technique de mesure n'est pas couverte par les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe, est non spécifiée ou est non significative pour tester l'alignement des axes
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
7.
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS FOR USE IN SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATIONS
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) is provided for use in regulating operation of a solar energy system. The solar energy system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules and one or more drive systems configured to pivot the plurality of PV modules through respective ranges of orientations. The UAS comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programmable to fly in proximity to one or more PV modules, the proximity being in accordance with at least one of an imaging range and a communications range. The UAS also comprises an imaging device borne by the UAV and configured to capture one or more images of PV modules, and a communications device borne by the UAV and configured to transmit a command to a controller of the solar energy system to change an operating parameter of the PV modules.
A method of operating a solar energy system comprises: periodically reorienting the plurality of PV modules to maximize an instantaneous electrical output from during a first period of time characterized by a predominance of a direct solar component, and reorienting the plurality of PV modules to a plurality of orientations so as to maximize cumulative electrical output over the duration of a second period of time characterized at least at a beginning thereof by a predominance of a diffuse solar component and further characterized at least at an end thereof by a predominance of the direct solar component. At least a first reorienting during the second period of time is effective to pivot the plurality of PV modules away from an on-sun orientation.
G01S 3/786 - Systèmes pour déterminer une direction ou une déviation par rapport à une direction prédéterminée utilisant le réglage d'une orientation des caractéristiques de directivité d'un détecteur ou d'un système de détecteurs afin d'obtenir une valeur désirée du signal provenant de ce détecteur ou de ce système de détecteurs la valeur désirée étant maintenue automatiquement
G05D 3/10 - Commande de la position ou de la direction sans utilisation de contre-réaction
G05D 3/12 - Commande de la position ou de la direction utilisant la contre-réaction
H02S 10/00 - Centrales électriques PVCombinaisons de systèmes d’énergie PV avec d’autres systèmes pour la production d’énergie électrique
9.
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS FOR USE IN SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATIONS
An unmanned aerial system (UAS) is provided for use in regulating operation of a solar energy system. The solar energy system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules and one or more drive systems configured to pivot the plurality of PV modules through respective ranges of orientations. The UAS comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programmable to fly in proximity to one or more PV modules, the proximity being in accordance with at least one of an imaging range and a communications range. The UAS also comprises an imaging device borne by the UAV and configured to capture one or more images of PV modules, and a communications device borne by the UAV and configured to transmit a command to a controller of the solar energy system to change an operating parameter of the PV modules.
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
G05B 19/042 - Commande à programme autre que la commande numérique, c.-à-d. dans des automatismes à séquence ou dans des automates à logique utilisant des processeurs numériques
10.
MAXIMIZING OUTPUT OF A SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM UNDER REDUCED IRRADIANCE CONDITIONS
A method of operating a solar energy system comprises: periodically reorienting the plurality of PV modules to maximize an instantaneous electrical output from during a first period of time characterized by a predominance of a direct solar component, and reorienting the plurality of PV modules to a plurality of orientations so as to maximize cumulative electrical output over the duration of a second period of time characterized at least at a beginning thereof by a predominance of a diffuse solar component and further characterized at least at an end thereof by a predominance of the direct solar component. At least a first reorienting during the second period of time is effective to pivot the plurality of PV modules away from an on-sun orientation.
A solar energy collection system comprises an array of photovoltaic (PV) modules arranged to be pivoted about a longitudinal axis of the array by a drive system comprising an electric motor and a gearing arrangement, and a group of plants arranged to produce a crop. An irrigation system is configured to supply water to the group of plants in accordance with an irrigation program, and comprises a fluid conveyance that delivers at least some of the water to surfaces of the PV modules, which are disposed so that most of the delivered water entrains dirt on the surfaces of the PV modules and drips down to reach the plants. A controller configured to control the array of PV modules, wherein the controller is configured to orient the PV modules to a cleaning orientation prior or during delivery of the water.
H02S 40/44 - Moyens pour utiliser l’énergie thermique, p. ex. systèmes hybrides produisant de l’eau chaude et de l’électricité en même temps
A01G 25/02 - Systèmes d'arrosage placés au-dessus du sol qui utilisent des canalisations perforées ou des canalisations avec accessoires pour la distribution, p. ex. pour l'irrigation goutte à goutte
A solar energy collection system comprises an array of photovoltaic (PV) modules arranged to be pivoted about a longitudinal axis of the array by a drive system comprising an electric motor and a gearing arrangement, and a group of plants arranged to produce a crop. An irrigation system is configured to supply water to the group of plants in accordance with an irrigation program, and comprises a fluid conveyance that delivers at least some of the water to surfaces of the PV modules, which are disposed so that most of the delivered water entrains dirt on the surfaces of the PV modules and drips down to reach the plants. A controller configured to control the array of PV modules, wherein the controller is configured to orient the PV modules to a cleaning orientation prior or during delivery of the water.
A01G 9/24 - Dispositifs de chauffage, d'aération, de régulation de la température ou d'irrigation dans les serres, les châssis ou les installations similaires
A solar energy system comprising a photovoltaic array, an inverter, and an energy storage device is operated according to the following steps: (a) accessing irradiance data for a past time period; (b) acquiring an irradiance forecast for a future time period having a length of not more than 15 minutes and having a cumulative irradiance forecast of between 20% and 80% of clear-sky irradiance; (c) calculating a smoothed energy target-value for an imminent time step within the future time period, using the irradiance data for the past time period and the forecasted irradiance for the future time period; and (d) during the time step, delivering a quantity of energy to the inverter based on the calculated smoothed energy target-value. The energy storage device stores energy when more is produced than delivered, and discharges energy when more is delivered than is produced.
A control system for a solar energy system causes motor assemblies to pivot the photovoltaic (PV) arrays of the solar energy system about respective longitudinal axes, e.g., to track the sun across the sky. The solar energy system also has an inverter with a known inverter rating, e.g., for a given output level and ambient temperature. The control system is programmed, inter alia, to determine when a calculated electrical output of the PV arrays, e.g., a future electrical output during an imminent future time period, exceeds the inverter rating. The control system then causes some or all of the PV arrays to pivot out of regular solar tracking mode into a position that introduces higher cosine losses, so as to reduce real-time electrical output from at least the direct normal component of real-time solar irradiance incident on the PV arrays involved in order not to exceed the inverter rating, or to exceed it less.
F24S 40/52 - Prévention de la surchauffe ou de la surpression en modifiant la collecte de chaleur, p. ex. par la défocalisation ou en changeant la position des éléments récepteurs de chaleur
F24S 30/40 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le déplacement en rotation
F24S 50/20 - Agencements pour commander les collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le suivi
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
A solar energy system includes a photovoltaic (PV) assembly and a drive system. The PV assembly comprises a support subassembly and an array of PV panels pivotable therewith about a longitudinal axis of the PV assembly. The drive system comprises a motor assembly comprising an electric motor and a gearing arrangement, and a pivot wheel comprising a hoop-portion and joined to the PV assembly. The hoop portion includes an outer circumferential channel, and two opposing catches defining a maximum pivot range. A chain resides partly within the circumferential channel, is engaged with the two opposing catches, and is also in geared communication with the motor assembly such that the motor is operable to rotate the pivot wheel. In some embodiments, the opposing catches define a maximum pivot range through an arc of more than π radians and less than 2π radians.
A solar energy system comprising a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) panels for production of electricity, electrically coupled to a recipient system Each of the PV panels includes a negative terminal and a positive terminal. An electronic element, including at least one component requiring power for operation or charging thereof, is electrically connected to the negative terminal and to the positive terminal of one of the plurality of PV panels. Electricity for powering the electronic element is tapped from electricity produced by the one of the plurality of PV panels, such that the quantity of produced electricity delivered to the recipient system is reduced.
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 1/14 - Équilibrage de la charge dans un réseau
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
H02S 20/00 - Structures de support pour modules PV
17.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM FOR POWERING AN ELECTRONIC ELEMENT
A solar energy system comprising a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) panels for production of electricity, electrically coupled to a recipient system. Each of the PV panels includes a negative terminal and a positive terminal. An electronic element, including at least one component requiring power for operation or charging thereof, is electrically connected to the negative terminal and to the positive terminal of one of the plurality of PV panels. Electricity for powering the electronic element is tapped from electricity produced by the one of the plurality of PV panels, such that the quantity of produced electricity delivered to the recipient system is reduced.
H02S 40/36 - Composants électriques caractérisés par des moyens d'interconnexions électriques spéciaux entre plusieurs modules PV, p. ex. connexion électrique module à module
H02S 40/32 - Composants électriques comprenant un onduleur CC/CA associé au module PV lui-même, p. ex. module CA
H02S 40/38 - Moyens de stockage de l’énergie, p. ex. batteries, structurellement associés aux modules PV
18.
Adjustable supporting structure for one or more photovoltaic panels
Various implementations described herein are directed to an apparatus including an assembly for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic panels above a ground. The assembly may be supported by one or more poles. Each of the plurality of poles may include a fixed portion configured to be fixed on the ground and a moveable portion configured to be moveably coupled to at least one of the fixed portion or the assembly. The moveable portion may have a closed configuration. At the closed configuration, the moveable portion may support the assembly by being coupled to the fixed portion, and an open configuration. At the open configuration, the moveable portion may be detached from at least one of the fixed portion and the assembly.
A method of operating a solar energy collection system comprising an array of pivotable PV modules and a group of plants arranged to produce a crop, includes performing a optimization of a value function based on a current state, responsively to predicted insolation, by dynamically determining one or more orientations for the array of PV modules, and controlling, based on the optimization of the value function, at least one of the PV modules to switch orientation to increase or decrease instantaneous photovoltaic conversion of incident solar radiation by the array of PV modules and/or increase or decrease instantaneous photosynthetic conversion of the incident solar radiation by the group of plants.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
G06Q 10/04 - Prévision ou optimisation spécialement adaptées à des fins administratives ou de gestion, p. ex. programmation linéaire ou "problème d’optimisation des stocks"
A method of operating a solar energy collection system comprising an array of pivotable PV modules and a group of plants arranged to produce a crop, includes performing a optimization of a value function based on a current state, responsively to predicted insolation, by dynamically determining one or more orientations for the array of PV modules, and controlling, based on the optimization of the value function, at least one of the PV modules to switch orientation to increase or decrease instantaneous photovoltaic conversion of incident solar radiation by the array of PV modules and/or increase or decrease instantaneous photosynthetic conversion of the incident solar radiation by the group of plants.
A01G 9/24 - Dispositifs de chauffage, d'aération, de régulation de la température ou d'irrigation dans les serres, les châssis ou les installations similaires
H02S 20/00 - Structures de support pour modules PV
H02S 20/30 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle
A solar energy system includes a photovoltaic (PV) assembly and a drive system. The PV assembly comprises a support subassembly and an array of PV panels pivotable therewith about a longitudinal axis of the PV assembly. The drive system comprises a motor assembly comprising an electric motor and a gearing arrangement, and a pivot wheel comprising a hoop-portion and joined to the PV assembly. The hoop portion includes an outer circumferential channel, and two opposing catches defining a maximum pivot range. A chain resides partly within the circumferential channel, is engaged with the two opposing catches, and is also in geared communication with the motor assembly such that the motor is operable to rotate the pivot wheel. In some embodiments, the opposing catches define a maximum pivot range through an arc of more than π radians and less than 2π radians.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
H02S 40/32 - Composants électriques comprenant un onduleur CC/CA associé au module PV lui-même, p. ex. module CA
H02J 3/00 - Circuits pour réseaux principaux ou de distribution, à courant alternatif
H02J 3/38 - Dispositions pour l’alimentation en parallèle d’un seul réseau, par plusieurs générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs
H02J 3/46 - Dispositions pour l’alimentation en parallèle d’un seul réseau, par plusieurs générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs contrôlant la répartition de puissance entre les générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs
F16H 19/08 - Transmissions comportant essentiellement et uniquement des engrenages ou des organes de friction et qui ne peuvent transmettre un mouvement rotatif indéfini pour convertir un mouvement rotatif en mouvement oscillant et vice versa
G05B 19/042 - Commande à programme autre que la commande numérique, c.-à-d. dans des automatismes à séquence ou dans des automates à logique utilisant des processeurs numériques
A control system for a solar energy system causes motor assemblies to pivot the photovoltaic (PV) arrays of the solar energy system about respective longitudinal axes, e.g., to track the sun across the sky. The solar energy system also has an inverter with a known inverter rating, e.g., for a given output level and ambient temperature. The control system is programmed, inter alia, to determine when a calculated electrical output of the PV arrays, e.g., a future electrical output during an imminent future time period, exceeds the inverter rating. The control system then causes some or all of the PV arrays to pivot out of regular solar tracking mode into a position that introduces higher cosine losses, so as to reduce real-time electrical output from at least the direct normal component of real-time solar irradiance incident on the PV arrays involved in order not to exceed the inverter rating, or to exceed it less.
H02J 3/38 - Dispositions pour l’alimentation en parallèle d’un seul réseau, par plusieurs générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs
H02J 3/46 - Dispositions pour l’alimentation en parallèle d’un seul réseau, par plusieurs générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs contrôlant la répartition de puissance entre les générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs
H02J 3/00 - Circuits pour réseaux principaux ou de distribution, à courant alternatif
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
H02S 40/32 - Composants électriques comprenant un onduleur CC/CA associé au module PV lui-même, p. ex. module CA
G05B 19/042 - Commande à programme autre que la commande numérique, c.-à-d. dans des automatismes à séquence ou dans des automates à logique utilisant des processeurs numériques
23.
Methods and systems for smoothing output of a solar energy system
A solar energy system comprising a photovoltaic array, an inverter, and an energy storage device is operated according to the following steps: (a) accessing irradiance data for a past time period; (b) acquiring an irradiance forecast for a future time period having a length of not more than 15 minutes and having a cumulative irradiance forecast of between 20% and 80% of clear-sky irradiance; (c) calculating a smoothed energy target-value for an imminent time step within the future time period, using the irradiance data for the past time period and the forecasted irradiance for the future time period; and (d) during the time step, delivering a quantity of energy to the inverter based on the calculated smoothed energy target-value. The energy storage device stores energy when more is produced than delivered, and discharges energy when more is delivered than is produced.
brevets
