Disclosed is a photovoltaic system including a power optimizer, capable of minimizing noise occurring due to shading, an error in an output power of a photovoltaic module, etc. while a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is performed. The photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic module; a power optimizer; and an inverter, wherein the power optimizer includes: an input unit configured to receive an output power of the photovoltaic module; a sensing unit configured to sense an output voltage and an output current of the photovoltaic module; and a controller configured to control an output of the power optimizer, by comparing the presently-sensed current with a previously-sensed current.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a solar module. The solar module includes a front-side cover, a back-side cover, and a plurality of solar cells situated between the front- and back-side covers. A respective solar cell includes a multi-layer semiconductor structure, a front-side electrode situated above the multi-layer semiconductor structure, and a back-side electrode situated below the multi-layer semiconductor structure. Each of the front-side and the back-side electrodes comprises a metal grid. A respective metal grid comprises a plurality of finger lines and a single busbar coupled to the finger lines. The single busbar is configured to collect current from the finger lines.

Methods and apparatus for controlling an interconnection device may be provided. Sockets of the interconnection device may be configured to electrically couple to respective energy-generation modules. In some examples, the interconnection device may include a connector, memory, and a processor configured to execute instructions for managing the electrical configuration of the sockets.

Methods and apparatus for controlling an energy-generation device may be provided. Sockets of the device may be configured to electrically couple to respective energy-generation modules. In some examples, the device may include a connector, memory, and a processor configured to execute instructions for managing the electrical configuration of the sockets.

A photovoltaic (PV) system has a plurality of PV panels that convert solar energy into electrical energy. Each PV panel is coupled to a respective switching power converter. A parameter (e.g., voltage or current) of a combined current signal from each of the switching power converters is sensed, and a controller controls the duty cycle of each switching power converter in order to maximize the sensed parameter. In this regard, the controller adjusts the duty cycles of the power switching converters in groups while the duty cycles of other power switching converters are held constant in order to set the duty cycles for maximum power transfer, thereby accounting for variations in the power output by each PV panel.

A solar power conversion device embedded security module creates trusted metering data in relation to power generated and outputs it as metering data. The security module might be constructed as an IC card using semiconductor chip fabrication and assembly techniques integral with the solar power conversion device. The device might comprise more than one solar cell mounted on a panel to form an array. There may be a panel management module for collating data, e.g., from multiple cells, prior to transmission over a network via the metering output. The panel management module might comprise a subscriber identity module and the metering data output may provide associated mobile telephone endpoint technology so that the metering data can be transmitted over an air interface. Embodiments enable high value services to be hosted on a solar power conversion device with both strong physical and strong electronic security.

The invention relates to an electrical energy storage module (120) of a device (10) for converting photovoltaic energy into electrical energy, said electrical energy storage module (120) being characterised in that it is designed to be detachably mounted on said device (10).

A solar-cell module comprising a tandem solar cell and a controller that substantially optimizes the power output the tandem solar cell is disclosed. The tandem solar cell includes a first solar cell having a first energy bandgap and a second solar cell having a second energy bandgap, where the first and second solar cells are arranged such that light not absorbed by the first solar cell passes through it to the second solar cell to be absorbed. The controller controls an electrical parameter, such as current or voltage, of at least one of the first and second solar cells such that the electrical parameter is equal in both cells, thereby substantially optimizing the output power of the tandem solar cell.

A photovoltaic nanogrid system is disclosed. One or more pre-wired frames each having a top, sun-facing side may be configured to receive one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules mounted thereon. The one or more pre-wired frames may include electrically and structurally connected support beams connectable to the one or more photovoltaic modules. A wire management system embedded within the one or more pre-wired frames may include modular conduits that gather and route wiring to/from the one or more pre-wired frames. A structural-electrical integration system may support the one or more pre-wired frames and may route power among the one or more pre-wired frames.

A method detects at least one photovoltaic electricity production apparatus in an electrical distribution network including at least one electrical installation and at least one current sensor, each installation further including at least one electrical apparatus. The method includes acquisition, by a current sensor, of a plurality of active power profiles of a corresponding installation, computation, for at least one pair of active power profiles of a differential profile equal to the difference between the power profiles of the pair, computation of a coefficient of correlation between the differential profile or profiles computed and a reference profile, and detection of the presence of a photovoltaic electricity production apparatus among the electrical apparatus or apparatuses of the installation.