Photovoltaic systems comprising docking assemblies
AssigneeSunPower Corporation
InventorsJulian Perez, Phillip Charles Gilchrist
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Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) assemblies and modules comprising electronic component docking assemblies are described herein. Docking assemblies can comprise a junction box and an electronic component housing configured to be reversibly connected or “docked.” The photovoltaic assemblies and modules described herein facilitate field replacement or removal of electronic components e.g. microinverters from a corresponding module and/or junction box. Additionally, the photovoltaic docking assemblies described herein enable PV modules and arrays with minimal cables and wiring for electrical interconnection.
Claims20
An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module comprising:
- a photovoltaic (PV) laminate having a front side that faces the sun during normal operation to collect solar radiation during normal operation of the ACPV module and a back side opposite the from side, the PV laminate comprising:
- a plurality of solar cells disposed within the PV laminate;
- the plurality of solar cells arranged into a plurality of solar cell strings;
- and,
- a backsheet on the hack side of the PV laminate;
- a frame surrounding the PV laminate;
- a junction box coupled to the backsheet of the PV laminate for providing electrical access to the plurality of solar cell strings, the junction box comprising:
- a plurality of busbars electrically coupled to the plurality of solar cell strings, each of the plurality of bus bars penetrating the backsheet of the PV laminate;
- a direct current (DC) output connector port for outputting direct current generated by the plurality of solar cells strings, the DC output connector being electrically coupled to the plurality of busbars;
- an alternating current (AC) input connector port;
- and,
- an alternating current (AC) output cable;
- a microinverter configured to be removably coupled to the junction box, the microinverter comprising:
- a housing for protecting inverter circuitry;
- a DC input connector port configured to be electrically mated with the DC output connector port of the junction box;
- and,
- an AC output connector port configured to be electrically mated with the AC input connector port of the junction box;
- wherein the microinverter converts direct current generated by the plurality of solar cells to alternating current for delivery to an external AC load via the AC output cable of the junction box.
A photovoltaic docking assembly comprising:
- a junction housing for providing electrical access to a plurality of solar cells, the junction housing comprising:
- a plurality of busbars electrically coupled to the plurality of solar cells;
- a DC output connector port for outputting direct current generated by the plurality of solar cells;
- a conditioned power input connector port;
- and,
- a conditioned power output link for outputting conditioned power to an external load;
- an electronic component configured to be removably coupled to the junction housing, the electronic component comprising:
- a housing protecting the electronic component for conditioning power generated by the plurality of solar cells;
- a DC input connector port configured to be electrically mated with the DC output connector port of the junction housing;
- and,
- a conditioned power output connector port configured to be electrically mated with the power input connector port of the junction housing.
A junction box for or electrically coupling a photovoltaic module to a microinverter, the junction box comprising:
- a plurality of busbars electrically coupled to a plurality of solar cells of the photovoltaic module;
- a DC output connector for outputting direct current generated by the photovoltaic module to the microinverter for conversion to alternating current;
- an AC power input connector port for inputting alternating current produced by the microinverter;
- and,
- an AC power output link for outputting AC power to an AC load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.