Methods of Processing Information in Solar Energy System

Abstract

A sales method provides for the demonstration, performance forecasting, financing, leasing, renting, power purchase agreement, tax-advantages, and group benefits of complete renewable energy systems. Even before a sales call is attempted, a system integrator has arranged a special group of lenders and investors that will fund any project initiated, has engaged credit services to check consumer credit files, has collected operational data from a number of its own systems, has created forecast models of performance, and arranged open-membership groups to which a new user can join immediately to share in collective bargaining with utilities, spread down-time risk and expense, utilize tax incentives, etc.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 collecting operating data from a plurality of solar power stations associated with a syndicate of individual operators across a network in a server, the operating data comprising electrical power output data for each of the solar power stations, wherein the solar power stations are collectively operated by the syndicate;   retrieve electrical rate data from an electric utility across the network in the server;   analyzing, at the server, the operating data and the electrical rate data on the server to generate electrical power exchange data; and   sending the electrical power exchange data from the server to one or more solar power stations across the network, wherein the solar power stations, in accordance with the electrical power exchange data, selectively connect to an electric utility grid.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the electrical power exchange data comprises information for coordinating production of electrical power by the solar power stations as part of a distributed electrical energy plant and distributing the electrical power for a fixed fee rate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the electrical power exchange data comprises information for coordinating electrical power production of the solar power stations. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the electrical power exchange data comprises information for coordinating electrical power demand for the solar power stations. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising collecting periodic updates to the operating data, and in response thereto, generating updated electrical power exchange data, and sending the updated electrical power exchange data to the solar power stations over the network. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the electrical utility rate data is specific to the syndicate of individual operators. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the electrical utility rate data further includes negotiated limits on point demand for individual operators of the syndicate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the electrical utility rate data further includes negotiated limits on total demand for the entire syndicate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the electrical utility rate data further includes localized time-dependent constraints for operating each of the solar power stations. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising receiving one or more payments from the individual operators according to the electrical power exchange data, and sending a combined payment comprising multiple payments from the individual to the electrical utility. 
     
     
         17 . A server computer comprising
 a processor;   a memory coupled to the processor; and   a network interface,   wherein the memory comprises computer readable code, that when executed, causes the processor to collect operating data from a plurality of solar power stations associated with a syndicate of individual operators through the network interface, the operating data comprising electrical power output data for each of the solar power stations, wherein the solar power stations are collectively operated by the syndicate;
 collect electrical rate data from an electric utility through the network interface; 
 analyze the operating data and the electrical rate data and, in response thereto, generate electrical power exchange data; and 
 send the electrical power exchange data from the server to one or more solar power stations through the network interface, wherein the solar power stations, in accordance with the electrical power exchange data, selectively connect to an electric utility grid. 
   
     
     
         18 . The server computer of  claim 15  wherein the electrical power exchange data comprises information for coordinating production of electrical power by the solar power stations as part of a distributed electrical energy plant and distributing the electrical power for a fixed fee rate. 
     
     
         19 . The server computer of  claim 15  wherein the electrical power exchange data comprises information for coordinating electrical power production of the solar power stations. 
     
     
         20 . The server computer of  claim 15  wherein the electrical power exchange data comprises information for coordinating electrical power demand for the solar power stations. 
     
     
         21 . The server computer of  claim 15  wherein the computer readable code further causes the processor to collect periodic updates to the operating data, and in response thereto, generating updated electrical power exchange data, and sending the updated electrical power exchange data to the solar power stations over the network. 
     
     
         22 . The server computer of  claim 15  wherein the electrical utility rate data is specific to the syndicate of individual operators. 
     
     
         23 . The server computer of  claim 22  wherein the electrical utility rate data further includes negotiated limits on point demand for individual operators of the syndicate. 
     
     
         24 . The server computer of  claim 22  wherein the electrical utility rate data further includes negotiated limits on total demand for the entire syndicate. 
     
     
         25 . The server computer of  claim 22  wherein the electrical utility rate data further includes localized time-dependent constraints for operating each of the solar power stations. 
     
     
         26 . The server computer of  claim 15  wherein the computer readable code further causes the processor to receive one or more payments from the individual operators according to the electrical power exchange data, and to send a combined payment comprising multiple payments from the individual to the electrical utility.