Photovoltaic inverter with option for switching between a power supply system with a fixed frequency and a load variable frequency

A photovoltaic inverter comprising:

• an inverter bridge section operable for converting DC electrical energy into AC electrical energy, the inverter bridge section having an output for outputting the AC electrical energy;
• a first output;
• a second output;
• a power switch connected to the output of the inverter bridge section, the first output, and the second output;
• and
• a controller operable for controlling the inverter bridge section to achieve a desired frequency response such that the AC electrical energy output from the inverter bridge section has a variable frequency;
• wherein the power switch is selectively switchable between a first state in which the output of the inverter bridge section is connected to the first output via the power switch and a second state in which the output of the inverter bridge section is connected to the second output via the power switch;
• wherein the first output is connected with a power network, wherein the AC electrical energy from the inverter bridge section is supplied to the power network when the output of the inverter bridge section is connected to the first output via the power switch;
• wherein the second output is connected with an electric motor, wherein the AC electrical energy from the inverter bridge section is supplied to the electric motor when the output of the inverter bridge section is connected to the second output via the power switch;
• wherein the AC electrical energy output from the inverter bridge section when the inverter bridge section is uncontrolled by the controller is in the form of an AC voltage having a fixed frequency;
• wherein the inverter bridge section is uncontrolled by the controller when the power switch is in the first state such that the AC electrical energy supplied from the inverter bridge section to the power network is in the form of an AC voltage with a fixed frequency;
• wherein the inverter bridge section is controlled by the controller when the power switch is in the second state such that the AC electrical energy supplied from the inverter bridge section to the electric motor is in the form of an AC voltage with a variable frequency.

A photovoltaic inverter system comprising:

• a solar cell operable for converting sunlight into DC electrical energy;
• an inverter bridge section operable for converting the DC electrical energy from the solar cell into AC electrical energy;
• a first output connected to a power network;
• a second output connected to a motor operable for moving the solar cell upon receiving AC electrical energy in the form of an AC voltage having a variable frequency;
• a power switch connected to the inverter bridge section and the first and second outputs;
• and
• a controller operable for controlling the inverter bridge section to achieve a desired frequency response such that the AC electrical energy from the inverter bridge section has a variable frequency, wherein the AC electrical energy from the inverter bridge section when the inverter bridge section is uncontrolled by the controller is in the form of an AC voltage having a fixed frequency;
• wherein the power switch is selectively switchable between a first state in which the output of the inverter bridge section is connected to the first output such that the AC electrical energy from the inverter bridge section is supplied to the power network and a second state in which the output of the inverter bridge section is connected to the second output such that the AC electrical energy from the inverter bridge section is supplied to the electric motor;
• wherein the inverter bridge section is uncontrolled by the controller when the power switch is in the first state such that the AC electrical energy supplied from the inverter bridge section to the power network is in the form of an AC voltage with a fixed frequency;
• wherein the inverter bridge section is controlled by the controller when the power switch is in the second state such that the AC electrical energy supplied from the inverter bridge section to the motor is in the form of an AC voltage with a variable frequency.