Described herein is a battery pack cell state of charge balancing system (1). A battery pack (2) of the system comprises a plurality of serially connected battery pack cells (BAT1-BATn), each of which (BATx) comprises one or more battery cells connected in parallel. For each respective battery pack cell (BATx) there is a set of serially connected fuel cells (FCx) at battery pack cell voltage level. Each respective set (FCx) is selectively connectable in parallel to a respective corresponding battery pack cell (BATx) by closing a respective first switch (SWx), for charging or boosting battery pack cell (BATx) power output. Each set (FCx) includes a respective DC-DC converter, arranged to regulate the operating point of the set (FCx) to its maximum power point or uniquely selected other operating point, to maintain the respective battery pack cell (BATx) at a defined state of charge for all battery pack cells (BAT1-BATn) constituting the battery pack (2).

Described herein is a battery pack cell state of charge balancing system (1). A battery pack (2) of the system comprises a plurality of serially connected battery pack cells (BAT1-BATn), each of which (BATx) comprises one or more battery cells connected in parallel. For each respective battery pack cell (BATx) there is a set of serially connected fuel cells (FCx) at battery pack cell voltage level. Each respective set (FCx) is selectively connectable in parallel to a respective corresponding battery pack cell (BATx) by closing a respective first switch (SWx), for charging or boosting battery pack cell (BATx) power output. Each set (FCx) includes a respective DC-DC converter, arranged to regulate the operating point of the set (FCx) to its maximum power point or uniquely selected other operating point, to maintain the respective battery pack cell (BATx) at a defined state of charge for all battery pack cells (BAT1-BATn) constituting the battery pack (2).

Disclosed are a wireless device capable of being self-powered and an operating method thereof. The wireless device includes an energy harvesting module that generates electrical energy based on energy supplied from an outside, a power management module that generates a voltage based on the electrical energy provided from the energy harvesting module, a user input interface that includes at least one input device sensing an input of a user, and a communication module that transfers a command corresponding to the at least one input device to the outside based on the voltage provided from the power management module, in response to that the at least one input device is accessed by the user.

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for facilitating shutdown of output power from an energy panel arrangement to a power converter. A shutdown implementation module is coupled between an energy panel arrangement and a power converter that converts DC power from the energy panel arrangement to AC power for an AC power grid. Responsive to identifying a power shutdown condition, the shutdown implementation module shuts down output power from the energy panel arrangement to the power converter. A power dissipating device is invoked to dissipate power associated with the shutdown of the output power (e.g., residual power within energy storage devices, such as capacitors, associated with the power converter). The shutdown implementation module may be located within a threshold distance from the energy panel arrangement (e.g., within about 10 feet) so that the output power may be shut off within a threshold timespan (e.g., within about 10 seconds).

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for facilitating shutdown of output power from an energy panel arrangement to a power converter. A shutdown implementation module is coupled between an energy panel arrangement and a power converter that converts DC power from the energy panel arrangement to AC power for an AC power grid. Responsive to identifying a power shutdown condition, the shutdown implementation module shuts down output power from the energy panel arrangement to the power converter. A power dissipating device is invoked to dissipate power associated with the shutdown of the output power (e.g., residual power within energy storage devices, such as capacitors, associated with the power converter). The shutdown implementation module may be located within a threshold distance from the energy panel arrangement (e.g., within about 10 feet) so that the output power may be shut off within a threshold timespan (e.g., within about 10 seconds).

A Unified Power Flow Controller described herein comprises a sensor that outputs at least one sensed condition, a processor that receives the at least one sensed condition, a memory that comprises control logic that is executable by the processor; and power electronics that comprise power storage, wherein the processor causes the power electronics to selectively cause the power storage to act as one of a power generator or a load based at least in part upon the at least one sensed condition output by the sensor and the control logic, and wherein at least one operating parameter of the power electronics is designed to facilitate maximal transmittal of electrical power generated at a variable power generation system to a grid system while meeting power constraints set forth by the electrical power grid.

A Unified Power Flow Controller described herein comprises a sensor that outputs at least one sensed condition, a processor that receives the at least one sensed condition, a memory that comprises control logic that is executable by the processor; and power electronics that comprise power storage, wherein the processor causes the power electronics to selectively cause the power storage to act as one of a power generator or a load based at least in part upon the at least one sensed condition output by the sensor and the control logic, and wherein at least one operating parameter of the power electronics is designed to facilitate maximal transmittal of electrical power generated at a variable power generation system to a grid system while meeting power constraints set forth by the electrical power grid.

Methods and systems for connecting a photovoltaic module and an inverter having an input capacitor are presented. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller coupled between the inverter and the photovoltaic module. The MPPT controller includes a direct current (DC) converter configured to reduce, in a forward buck mode, a voltage of the photovoltaic module, to supply power from the photovoltaic module to the input capacitor of the inverter. The photovoltaic system also includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the DC converter to allow the photovoltaic module to operate at a maximum power point, and to increase, in a reverse boost mode, a voltage of the input capacitor of the inverter, to dissipate power from the input capacitor in the photovoltaic module, and the MPPT controller is configured to, based upon one or more triggers.

Methods and systems for connecting a photovoltaic module and an inverter having an input capacitor are presented. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller coupled between the inverter and the photovoltaic module. The MPPT controller includes a direct current (DC) converter configured to reduce, in a forward buck mode, a voltage of the photovoltaic module, to supply power from the photovoltaic module to the input capacitor of the inverter. The photovoltaic system also includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the DC converter to allow the photovoltaic module to operate at a maximum power point, and to increase, in a reverse boost mode, a voltage of the input capacitor of the inverter, to dissipate power from the input capacitor in the photovoltaic module, and the MPPT controller is configured to, based upon one or more triggers.

A solar cell system integrated with window glass and a blind is provided. The solar cell system includes high-power solar cell system that has two types of solar cells that are configured to absorb light with different wavelength bands from each other and are coupled to a window glass and a blind, respectively. The solar cell system includes a first solar cell that is coupled to a window glass and a second solar cell that is coupled to a blind and configured to absorb light different in wavelength band from light absorbed by the first solar cell. The band gap energy of the first solar cell is greater than the band gap energy of the second solar cell to maximize generation of electrical energy. Additionally, the second solar cell is coupled to the blind installed to open and close to increase power without degrading transmittance of the window glass.