US 12,346,076 B2
Solar power monitoring and optimization apparatus, systems and methods
Ian Schirmer, Loganholme (AU)
Assigned to COMTECH (AUST) PTY LTD, Queensland (AU)
Appl. No. 17/638,411
Filed by COMTECH (AUST) PTY LTD, Loganholme (AU)
PCT Filed Aug. 27, 2020, PCT No. PCT/AU2020/050899
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 25, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/035303, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 4, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2019903171 (AU), filed on Aug. 29, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0299959 A1, Sep. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. G05B 19/042 (2006.01); H02J 3/38 (2006.01); H02J 3/46 (2006.01); H02J 13/00 (2006.01); H02S 50/00 (2014.01)
CPC G05B 19/042 (2013.01) [H02J 3/381 (2013.01); H02J 3/46 (2013.01); H02J 13/00002 (2020.01); H02J 13/00009 (2020.01); H02S 50/00 (2013.01); G05B 2219/2639 (2013.01); H02J 2300/26 (2020.01)] 34 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for coupling to one or more solar panels to monitor and optimize power output by the one or more solar panels, the apparatus comprising:
a processor configured to generate a periodic wave and apply the periodic wave to an output of the one or more solar panels;
an analogue-to-digital voltage converter for receiving a voltage signal from the one or more solar panels; and
an analogue-to-digital current converter for receiving a current signal from the one or more solar panels;
wherein the processor is configured to:
receive a digital voltage signal from the voltage converter and a digital current signal from the current converter;
calculate a voltage amplitude of the periodic wave applied to the output of the one or more solar panels and a direct current offset of the periodic wave using signal processing techniques that isolate a fundamental frequency component and a zero frequency component of the periodic wave;
calculate a differential of a power and a voltage of the one or more solar panels based on the voltage amplitude and the direct current offset of the periodic wave; and
modify the voltage of the one or more solar panels such that the differential of the power and the voltage of the one or more solar panels is zero, or substantially zero.