Integration of microinverter with photovoltaic module

Abstract

Various technologies for integrating a microinverter with a photovoltaic module are disclosed. An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module includes a photovoltaic module having a frame and a junction box including a direct current (DC) output connector, and a microinverter having a housing coupled to the frame and a DC input connector electrically mated with the DC output connector of the photovoltaic module.

1 . An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module comprising:
 a photovoltaic (PV) module, the PV module having a back surface and a light receiving surface;   a junction box positioned on the back surface of the PV module, the junction box receiving DC voltage from the light receiving surface of the PV module;   a microinverter positioned on the back surface of the PV module; and   wherein the junction box and the microinverter are connected by a flexible conduit, the flexible conduit comprising DC wires that electrically connect the junction box and the microinverter.   
     
     
         2 . The ACPV module of  claim 1 , wherein the DC wires are not capable of being unplugged from the junction box or the microinverter. 
     
     
         3 . The ACPV module of  claim 2 , wherein the DC wires are soldered to the microinverter. 
     
     
         4 . The ACPV module of  claim 3 , wherein the PV module is frameless. 
     
     
         5 . The ACPV module of  claim 1 , wherein the DC wires are not capable of being unplugged from the junction box. 
     
     
         6 . The ACPV module of  claim 1 , wherein the microinverter comprises an access panel the access panel configured to allow access to connections of the DC wires within the microinverter. 
     
     
         7 . The ACPV module of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible conduit is a corrugated hose. 
     
     
         8 . The ACPV module of  claim 1 , wherein the DC wires are not capable of being unplugged from the microinverter. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly comprising:
 a junction box;   a microinverter; and   a flexible conduit,   wherein the flexible conduit connects the junction box to the microinverter and contains DC wires,   wherein the microinverter is configured to receive DC voltage from a photovoltaic (PV) module and convert that DC voltage to an AC voltage, and   wherein the DC wires are hardwired to the microinverter.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the microinverter comprises an access panel, the access panel configured to allow access to connections of the DC wires within the microinverter. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the microinverter is secured to a substrate of the photovoltaic (PV) panel. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the microinverter is secured to the substrate with at least one of adhesive or thermal coupling or mechanical clips. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the PV module is frameless. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible conduit is corrugated. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the DC wires form an electrical connection between the junction box and the microinverter without a pluggable DC connector.