Remote access energy meter system and method

Abstract

A remote energy meter system and method is provided having a meter server and a client module located remotely from the meter server. The meter server communicates with the client via a wireless communications link to recover energy production parameter values. The remote energy meter system preferably provides real-time and automated monitoring of, at least, energy production and system failure parameters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A remote energy meter system for detecting energy production parameters of an energy generation facility, comprising:
 a client module operably connected the energy generation facility for collecting data representative of the energy production parameters, wherein the energy production parameters comprise system failure parameters for the energy generation facility, and wherein said client module is powered by a standard alternating current power source from the energy generation facility;   a secondary energy source that provides secondary power to the client module; and   a server located remotely from the client module, wherein the server communicates with the client module to recover the energy production parameters,   wherein said client module comprises a client remote interface that provides access to said client module from the server for monitoring the energy production parameters, and said server comprises a server remote interface for communicating with the client remote interface,   wherein the energy generation facility comprises a plurality of photovoltaic arrays that convert solar energy into electricity and generate direct current electricity,   wherein the server communicates with the client module via a communications link selected from the group consisting of a wireless link, a cellular link, a microwave link, and a satellite link, and   wherein the remote energy meter system configures said communication between said server and said client module to occur only during a set period of time.   
     
     
         2 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 1 , wherein the client module monitors said energy production parameters in real-time, and transmits said real-time energy production parameters to the server. 
     
     
         3 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 2 , wherein said real-time energy productions parameters further comprise parameters selected from the group consisting of system production, system status, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 1 , wherein the DC electricity is converted to an AC output by one or more inverters. 
     
     
         5 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 4 , wherein the AC output is comprised of a current and a voltage. 
     
     
         6 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 4 , further comprising an AC meter that measures the AC output from the one or more inverters. 
     
     
         7 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 6 , further comprising a DC voltmeter that measures the DC electricity generated by the photovoltaic arrays. 
     
     
         8 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 7 , wherein the client module further comprises a data processor that processes data measured by the DC voltmeter and the AC meter. 
     
     
         9 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 1 , wherein said set period of time is a daily set period of time. 
     
     
         10 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 1 , wherein said system failure parameters comprise string failures for said plurality of photovoltaic arrays. 
     
     
         11 . The remote energy meter system of  claim 4 , wherein said system failure parameters comprise power failures for said one or more inverters. 
     
     
         12 . The remote energy system of  claim 1 , wherein said server comprises a remote interface that communicates with client module via said communications link. 
     
     
         13 . The remote energy system of  claim 12 , wherein said remote interface converts data received via said communications link into a format suitable for being received and processed by said server.