US 12,218,509 B2
Methods and apparatus for optimizing efficiencies of a solar power system
Vincent Ambrose, Waco, TX (US); and George Kuo, Scotts Valley, CA (US)
Assigned to OPTiVOLTS, LLC, Waco, TX (US)
Filed by OPTIVOLTS LLC, Waco, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/079,476.
Application 18/079,476 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/857,599, filed on Jul. 5, 2022, granted, now 11,527,894, issued on Dec. 13, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0014665 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H02J 3/46 (2006.01); H02J 3/38 (2006.01); H02S 50/10 (2014.01)
CPC H02J 3/46 (2013.01) [H02J 3/381 (2013.01); H02S 50/10 (2014.12); H02J 2300/24 (2020.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar power system, comprising:
a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules located at an installation site, wherein the installation site is associated with variable conditions of irradiance and ambient temperature;
at least one PV string to couple a plurality of the PV modules to generate power output from the PV string that comprises a PV string voltage;
wherein, a number of PV modules per PV string is configured to cause the PV string voltage to exceed a maximum voltage specification of an electrical code governing the solar power system when operating at temperatures that cause the PV string voltage to exceed the maximum voltage specification;
string voltage limiter, coupled to the PV string, to conditionally reduce the power output from the PV string; and
string voltage control, coupled to the string voltage limiter, to detect the PV string voltage and to signal the string voltage limiter to reduce the PV string voltage when conditions at the installation site cause the PV string voltage to exceed the maximum voltage specification.