Sunpower Corporation

John Peurach

Charles Bernardo Almy

Reuben Sandler

Patrick L Chapman

Jason Jones

Carl J S Lenox

Daniel S Shugar

Nathaniel T Coleman

Jawid Arghestani

One or more hybrid management modules for Photovoltaic (PV) systems are provided. These modules may be configured for peer-to-peer communication and may also be configured for cellular communication outside of the PV system. The modules may be coupled or located near individual PV modules and may be configured with or alongside PV inverters or converters. The modules may take the place of a central system manager located beyond a main service panel and may work in conjunction with a controller located beyond a main service panel.

Hybrid management module

A solar collector assembly may include a frame supporting a solar collector and a frame member defining a tilted pivot axis. Support struts may be used to elevate one end of the frame and may be pivoted between an orientation generally parallel to the frame member and to an orientation generally away from the frame. Anchorless, ballast type bases may be used to support the solar collector assembly. Several assemblies may be stacked on top of one another in a storage or transportation configuration using spacers extending between the frames.

Stackable tracking solar collector assembly

A PV installation comprises a PV array, an electrical interface connecting a utility power source to an electrical load, and a DC to AC inverter. A first set of wiring electrically connects the PV array to the inverter through a disconnect device and a second set of wiring electrically connects the inverter to the electrical interface. A control mechanism connects the disconnect device to the electrical interface so that when power from the electrical interface is removed, the PV array is electrically disconnected from the inverter. The disconnect device may be a remote disconnect device located at a position at or near the PV array, such as in the space beneath a roof supporting the PV array. A method electrically disconnects a PV array from electrical wiring at a site.

Photovoltaic installation with automatic disconnect device

A tilt assembly is used with a solar collector assembly of the type comprising a frame, supporting a solar collector, for movement about a tilt axis by pivoting a drive element between first and second orientations. The tilt assembly comprises a drive element coupler connected to the drive element and a driver, the driver comprising a drive frame, a drive arm and a drive arm driver. The drive arm is mounted to the drive frame for pivotal movement about a drive arm axis. Movement on the drive arm mimics movement of the drive element. Drive element couplers can extend in opposite directions from the outer portion of the drive arm, whereby the assembly can be used between adjacent solar collector assemblies in a row of solar collector assemblies.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

John Peurach