The embodiments are apparatuses, systems and methods of water management and icicle prevention for solar carports, and are designed to catch drips between rows of, and water run-off from, the low side of inclined photovoltaic modules arranged to form the roof of the solar carport or canopy.

In snowy climates, photovoltaic panels suffer from significant losses due to snow accumulation. The present invention is a device that can be attached to a photovoltaic panel in order to promote snow sliding, increasing the power output of the panel as a result.

In snowy climates, photovoltaic panels suffer from significant losses due to snow accumulation. The present invention is a device that can be attached to a photovoltaic panel in order to promote snow sliding, increasing the power output of the panel as a result.

The embodiments are apparatuses, systems and methods of water management and icicle prevention for solar carports, and are designed to catch drips between rows of, and water run-off from, the low side of inclined photovoltaic modules arranged to form the roof of the solar carport or canopy.

The embodiments are apparatuses, systems and methods of water management and icicle prevention for solar carports, and are designed to catch drips between rows of, and water run-off from, the low side of inclined photovoltaic modules arranged to form the roof of the solar carport or canopy.

An apparatus comprises a plurality of power sources, one or more processors embedded with the plurality of power sources, and memory storing processor executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to modify duty cycles of the power sources, and to modify timing for each phase of a multiphase cycle. In some cases, the apparatus: transfers, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, power from a different power source of a plurality of power sources to a load; determines, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, an input voltage associated with the transferred power, an output voltage associated with the transferred power, and current from the power source associated with the transferred power; determines a duty cycle associated with the power source; modifies duty cycles of the power sources; and modifies timing for each phase of the multiphase cycle.

A method for cleaning solar panels when snow, ice, or dust accumulates on the solar panels to reduce or eliminate the electrical power output from the solar panels. The method of cleaning includes selecting specific cleaning locations, on the array of solar panels, based primarily upon obstruction location and obstruction size differences. The method of cleaning also includes the incremental and sequential selection of the cleaning locations, and the incremental and sequential activation of cleaning devices within the selected cleaning locations. Additional groups of incrementally and sequentially activated cleaning devices may be powered, in whole or in part, by the prior solar panels that have been cleaned.

A method for cleaning solar panels when snow, ice, or dust accumulates on the solar panels to reduce or eliminate the electrical power output from the solar panels. The method of cleaning includes selecting specific cleaning locations, on the array of solar panels, based primarily upon obstruction location and obstruction size differences. The method of cleaning also includes the incremental and sequential selection of the cleaning locations, and the incremental and sequential activation of cleaning devices within the selected cleaning locations. Additional groups of incrementally and sequentially activated cleaning devices may be powered, in whole or in part, by the prior solar panels that have been cleaned.

A photovoltaic system is disclosed. The system includes a solar panel adapted for operative connection to a power sink for delivery of electric power from the solar panel to the power sink. The system also includes a power transfer circuit in operative communication with the solar panel. The power transfer circuit is adapted for connection to an AC power supply, and the power transfer circuit is configured to transfer current at a forward-biased voltage to a first terminal of the solar panel in response to a first half-cycle portion (e.g., a first of a positive or negative voltage portion) of the alternating current supplied to the solar panel and to prevent transmission of current to the first terminal of the solar panel in response to a second half-cycle portion (e.g., a second of the positive or negative voltage portion) of the alternating current.

A photovoltaic system is disclosed. The system includes a solar panel adapted for operative connection to a power sink for delivery of electric power from the solar panel to the power sink. The system also includes a power transfer circuit in operative communication with the solar panel. The power transfer circuit is adapted for connection to an AC power supply, and the power transfer circuit is configured to transfer current at a forward-biased voltage to a first terminal of the solar panel in response to a first half-cycle portion (e.g., a first of a positive or negative voltage portion) of the alternating current supplied to the solar panel and to prevent transmission of current to the first terminal of the solar panel in response to a second half-cycle portion (e.g., a second of the positive or negative voltage portion) of the alternating current.