Systemic optimization of photovoltaic apparatus

Abstract

A photovoltaic system may include a first photovoltaic component having local power optimization functionality to process power at a first level, a second photovoltaic component to process power at a second level, and optimization logic to command the first photovoltaic component to accommodate system-level power optimization. The first component may be reconfigurable to accommodate the system-level optimization. The entire system may be dynamically reconfigured to continuously operate at the highest overall level of system efficiency.

1 .- 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A process for system-level optimization of a photovoltaic system comprising:
 operating a decision engine at a microprocessor, the decision engine configured to consider optimum power configuration information for a plurality of local power optimizers of a photovoltaic system, the decision engine configured to consider optimum power configuration information for one or more centralized inverters;   updating the optimum power configuration information for the plurality of local power optimizers; and   updating the optimum power configuration information for one of more centralized inverters,   wherein the decision engine is remote from the one or more centralized inverters and is remote from the plurality of local power optimizers.   
     
     
         48 . The process of  claim 47  further comprising:
 sending updated power configuration information for the plurality of local power optimizers or the one or more centralized inverters or both to a gateway, the gateway configured to communicate with the plurality of local power optimizers or the one or more centralized inverters or both. 
 
     
     
         49 . The process of  claim 48  further comprising:
 at the decision engine, determining operating points of one or more of the local power optimizers from the plurality of local power optimizers. 
 
     
     
         50 . The process of  claim 47  wherein each of the local power optimizers of the plurality of local power optimizers is at a microinverter coupled to one or more strings of photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         51 . The process of  claim 47  wherein the local power optimizers are connected in a reconfigurable manner such that the local power optimizers may be connected to each other in series for one configuration and may be connected to each other in parallel for a second configuration. 
     
     
         52 . The process of  claim 48  wherein the microprocessor is configured and positioned to communicate to the gateway via the Internet. 
     
     
         53 . The process of  claim 48  wherein the gateway or the microprocessor or both are configured and positioned to be in communication with a pyranometer. 
     
     
         54 . The process of  claim 47  further comprising:
 considering demand side management information at the microprocessor, the demand side management information indicative of ongoing operation of a power grid being supplied by the photovoltaic system. 
 
     
     
         55 . A computer storage device containing instructions stored thereon, the instructions when run by a microprocessor, cause the microprocessor to carry out a process comprising:
 operating a decision engine, the decision engine configured to consider optimum power configuration information for a plurality of local power optimizers of a photovoltaic system, the decision engine configured to consider optimum power configuration information for one or more centralized inverters;   updating the optimum power configuration information for the plurality of local power optimizers; and   updating the optimum power configuration information for one of more centralized inverters,   wherein the decision engine is remote from the one or more centralized inverters and is remote from the plurality of local power optimizers.   
     
     
         56 . The computer storage device of  claim 55  where the instructions also cause the microprocessor to perform steps comprising:
 sending updated power configuration information for the plurality of local power optimizers or the one or more centralized inverters or both to a gateway, the gateway configured to communicate with the plurality of local power optimizers or the one or more centralized inverters or both. 
 
     
     
         57 . The computer storage device of  claim 56  where the instructions also cause the microprocessor to perform steps comprising:
 at the decision engine, determining voltage operating points of one or more of the local power optimizers from the plurality of local power optimizers. 
 
     
     
         58 . The computer storage device of  claim 55  wherein each of the local power optimizers of the plurality of local power optimizers is at a microinverter coupled to one or more strings of photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         59 . The computer storage device of  claim 55  wherein the local power optimizers are connected in a reconfigurable manner such that the local power optimizers may be connected to each other in series for one configuration and may be connected to each other in parallel for a second configuration. 
     
     
         60 . The computer storage device of  claim 56  wherein the microprocessor is configured and positioned to communicate to the gateway via the Internet. 
     
     
         61 . The computer storage device of  claim 56  wherein the gateway or the microprocessor or both are configured and positioned to be in communication with a pyranometer. 
     
     
         62 . The computer storage device of  claim 55  where the instructions also cause the microprocessor to perform steps comprising:
 considering demand side management information at the microprocessor, the demand side management information indicative of ongoing operation of a power grid being supplied by a photovoltaic system. 
 
     
     
         63 . A computer microprocessor configured to carry out a process comprising:
 operating a decision engine, the decision engine configured to consider optimum voltage configuration information for a plurality of local power optimizers of a photovoltaic system, the decision engine configured to consider optimum voltage configuration information for one or more centralized inverters;   updating the optimum configuration information for the plurality of local power optimizers; and   updating the optimum configuration information for one of more centralized inverters,   
       wherein the decision engine is remote from the one or more centralized inverters and is remote from the plurality of local power optimizers. 
     
     
         64 . The computer microprocessor of  claim 63  where the microprocessor is also configured to perform steps comprising:
 sending updated configuration information for the plurality of local power optimizers or the one or more centralized inverters or both to a gateway, the gateway configured to communicate with the plurality of local power optimizers or the one or more centralized inverters or both. 
 
     
     
         65 . The computer microprocessor of  claim 64  where the microprocessor is also configured to perform steps comprising:
 at the decision engine, determining operating points of one or more of the local power optimizers from the plurality of local power optimizers. 
 
     
     
         66 . The computer microprocessor of  claim 63  wherein each of the local power optimizers of the plurality of local power optimizers is at a microinverter coupled to one or more strings of photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         67 . The computer microprocessor of  claim 63  wherein the local power optimizers are connected in a reconfigurable manner such that the local power optimizers may be connected to each other in series for one configuration and may be connected to each other in parallel for a second configuration.