# US 10,312,693 B2 · Power generation system that couples a photovoltaic array to a DC energy storage source > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,312,693 B2 - Document ID: US10312693B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/669,039 - Filed: 2017-08-04 - Published: 2018-03-15 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-09 - Assignees: Inventus Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Inventus Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Ryan K. McMorrow; Jeffrey R. Burkett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10312693B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H02J 3/381: {Dispersed generators} - H02J 2101/25: {involving maximum power point tracking control for photovoltaic sources} - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A controller of a power generation system can control coupling of a photovoltaic (PV) array to an inverter coupled to a power grid. The controller can also monitor an output voltage of a DC energy storage source disconnectedly coupled to the inverter and monitor an output power of the inverter. The controller can also couple the PV array to the DC energy storage source and adjust an effective output voltage of the PV array based on the output voltage of the DC energy storage source to charge the DC energy storage source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A controller of a power generation system that: controls coupling of a photovoltaic (PV) array to an inverter coupled to a power grid; monitors an output voltage of a direct current (DC) energy storage source disconnectedly coupled to the inverter; monitors an output power of the inverter; couples the PV array to the DC energy storage source; and adjusts an effective output voltage of the PV array based on the output voltage of the DC energy storage source to control an amount of charge of the DC energy storage source. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller commands the inverter to adjust an impedance of the inverter to change the effective output voltage of the PV array. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the effective output voltage is set to a level of about a voltage corresponding to an open circuit voltage of the DC energy storage source plus a charging voltage of the DC energy storage source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the DC energy storage source is charged by the PV array and the PV array provides power to the inverter concurrently. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the DC energy storage source comprises a bank of battery cells. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The controller of claim 5, wherein each battery cell is a lithium-ion battery cell. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the effective output voltage of the PV array in response to an increase in the current of the DC energy storage source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller decreases the effective output voltage of the PV array in response to a decrease in the current of the DC energy storage source. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller disconnects the PV array from the inverter in response to detecting that the DC energy storage source is nearly fully charged. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the selectable grid limit is a dynamic value that changes over the course of a day. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller couples the PV array to the DC energy storage source in response to determining that the output power of the inverter meets a selectable grid limit that is less than or equal to a maximum output power of the inverter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The controller of claim 11, wherein the PV array has a maximum output power that is greater than the maximum output power of the inverter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the selectable grid limit changes over time based on a changing status to at least one of environmental conditions, a financial credit for power applied to the grid and user input. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller reduces the effective output voltage of the PV array to a level below an open circuit voltage of the DC energy storage source to discharge the DC energy storage source. ### Claim 15 A power generation system comprising: an inverter coupled to a power grid; a photovoltaic (PV) array disconnectedly coupled to the inverter; a DC energy storage source disconnectedly coupled to the inverter and the PV array; and a controller that connects the PV array to the DC energy storage source in response to determining that an output power of the inverter meets a selectable grid limit that changes over time and the controller adjusts an effective output voltage of the PV array based on an open circuit voltage and a charging voltage of the DC energy storage source to charge the DC energy storage source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The power generation system of claim 15, wherein the controller disconnects the DC energy storage source from the inverter and the PV array in response to detecting that an effective voltage of the PV array for charging the DC energy storage source is outside an allowable range of at least one of the inverter and the DC energy storage source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The power generation system of claim 15, wherein the controller executes a maximum power transfer point tracking procedure to determine the effective output voltage of the PV array. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The power generation system of claim 15, wherein the selectable grid limit is less than or equal to a maximum power rating of the inverter and the selectable grid limit changes based on at least one of a time of day, power needs of the power grid and user input to the controller. ### Claim 19 A method comprising: detecting that an output of an inverter meets a selectable grid limit, wherein a photovoltaic (PV) array provides power to the inverter; setting an effective output voltage of the PV array to match an open circuit voltage of a DC energy storage source; electrically coupling, in response to the setting, the PV array to a DC energy storage source; and adjusting the effective output voltage of the PV array based on the open circuit voltage and a charging voltage of the DC energy storage source to charge the DC energy storage source and provide power to a power grid concurrently. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the adjusting prevents an over charging of the DC energy storage source.