Aternating current photovoltaic building block

A method of alternating current photovoltaic power generation, the method comprising:

• via a photovoltaic module, generating power in the form of direct current;
• and
• converting direct current to alternting current and exporting power via one or more power conversion and transfer units attached to the module, each unit comprising a unitary housing extending a length or width of the module, which housing comprises:
• contact means for receiving direct current from said module;
• one or more direct current-to-alternating current inverters and associated collective electronic circuits, printed circuit boards, and components;
• direct current circuitry and associated components;
• alternating current circuitry, array interconnections, and surge protection;
• and
• an alternating current bus;
• wherein said method provides output of onlv alternating current electric power and requires no external direct current fuses or direct current disconnects.

A modular alternating current photovoltaic power generation apparatus comprising:

• a photovoltaic module generating power in the form of direct current;
• one or more direct current-to-alternating current inverters receiving direct current from said photovoltaic module;
• and
• one or more power transfer units attached to said module, each said unit comprising a unitary housing extending a length or width of said module, which housing comprises:
• contact means for receiving alternating current from said one or more inverters;
• direct current circuitry and associated components;
• alternating current circuitry, arrav interconnections, and surge protection;
• and
• an alternating current bus;
• wherein said apparatus outputs only alternating current electric power and requires no external direct current fuses or direct current disconnects.

A method of generating alternating current photovoltaic power, the method comprising the steps of:

• via a photovoltaic module, generating power in the form of direct current;
• receiving the direct current and converting to alternating current via one or more direct current-to-alternating current inverters;
• and
• exporting the alternating current via one or more power transfer units attached to the module, each unit comprising a unitary housing extending a length or width of the module, which housing comprises:
• contact means for delivering direct current to the one or more inverters and contact means for receiving alternating current from the one or more inverters;
• direct current circuitry and associated components;
• alternating current circuitry, array interconnections, and surge protection;
• and
• an alternating current bus;
• wherein said one or more power transfer units output only alternating current electric power and require no external direct current fuses or direct current disconnects.