| CPC H02S 50/00 (2013.01) [H02S 20/25 (2014.12); H02S 40/34 (2014.12); H02H 7/20 (2013.01); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01); Y02E 10/56 (2013.01); Y02E 40/70 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. A system comprising:
a photovoltaic string comprising a plurality of photovoltaic modules;
wherein the photovoltaic string is installed on a roof of a structure;
wherein each photovoltaic module of the plurality of photovoltaic modules comprises:
a first layer on a roof deck of the roof, and
a second layer having at least one photovoltaic cell;
wherein the second layer is opposite to the roof deck;
at least one electrical connection to a grid power supply; and
at least one electronics housing, wherein the at least one electronics housing houses a rapid shutdown device in electrical communication with the photovoltaic string and the at least one electrical connection to the grid power supply;
wherein the at least one electronics housing comprises a non-conductive material that encompasses the rapid shutdown device;
wherein the rapid shutdown device comprises:
a first power line and a second power line, wherein each of the first power line and the second power line is electrically connected to the photovoltaic string;
a high voltage switch on the first power line;
wherein the high voltage switch is configured to electrically disconnect the first power line while the high voltage switch is open;
wherein the high voltage switch is configured to have a blocking voltage exceeding a string voltage;
wherein the string voltage is associated with power generated by the photovoltaic string;
a gate drive circuit configured to:
receive at least one electronic photovoltaic string status signal indicative of an operating status of the photovoltaic string;
determine that the operating status of the photovoltaic string indicates a hazard based at least in part on the at least one electronic photovoltaic string status signal; and
generate, based on the operating status of the photovoltaic string indicating the hazard, a high voltage switch command signal configured to cause the high voltage switch to open so as to electrically disconnect the photovoltaic string from the at least one electrical connection to the grid power supply with the blocking voltage exceeding the string voltage; and
a discharge circuit having a discharge switch between a positive terminal and negative terminal of the rapid shutdown device;
wherein the discharge circuit is configured to drive the discharge switch complementary to the high voltage switch so as to establish a discharge path between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the rapid shutdown device.
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