PHOTOVOLTAIC AC INVERTER MOUNT AND INTERCONNECT
A replaceable photovoltaic inverter is mounted on each of a plurality of photovoltaic module for the conversion of direct current, produced by the photovoltaic cells, to alternating current. The inverter is coupled to a mounting bracket on the photovoltaic module such that is can be easily replaced. Replacement of an individual photovoltaic module inverter can occur during continuous operation of the photovoltaic module system with minimal impact on overall power production. The inverter is also mounted apart from the photovoltaic module to facilitate heat transfer generated by operation of the inverter.
1 . A system for mounting a photovoltaic power element, the system comprising;
a bracket affixed to a photovoltaic module having a plurality of photovoltaic cells wherein the bracket includes a first mounting interface wherein direct current leads from the plurality of photovoltaic cells conveying direct current are coupled to the first mounting interface; and
a replaceable power element casing housing the photovoltaic power element having a second mounting interface mated with the first interface such that power conveyed from the plurality of photovoltaic cells is modified by the photovoltaic power element and conveyed back to the bracket via the first and second mounting interface.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the photovoltaic power element is a direct current conditioner.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the photovoltaic power element is an inverter
4 . The system of claim 3 wherein the first mounting interface is positioned on the bracket such that the replaceable power element casing is suspended apart from the photovoltaic module.
5 . The system of claim 3 wherein the replaceable power element casing includes supplemental surface area fixtures to facilitate heat transfer.
6 . The system of claim 3 wherein the first mounting interface and the second mounting interface include a plurality of interconnects.
7 . The system of claim 6 wherein a subset of the plurality of interconnects convey direct current from the bracket to the photovoltaic inverter.
8 . The system of claim 6 wherein a subset of the plurality of interconnects convey alternating current from the photovoltaic power element to the bracket.
9 . The system of claim 3 wherein replacement of the photovoltaic power element occurs during continuous operation of the photovoltaic module.
10 . The system of claim 3 wherein the photovoltaic power element converts direct current of the plurality of photovoltaic cells into three-phase alternating current.
11 . The system of claim 3 wherein the photovoltaic power element converts direct current of the plurality of photovoltaic cells into single-phase alternating current.
12 . The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second mounting interface masks any electrical arc during replacement of the replaceable power element casing.
13 . The system of claim 1 wherein the bracket includes connections capable of linking in parallel the photovoltaic module with other brackets of other photovoltaic modules.
14 . The system of claim 1 wherein mating of the first mounting interface to the second mounting interface creates a substantially weather tight seal.
15 . A mounting fixture for a attaching a photovoltaic power element to a bracket fixed to a photovoltaic module, the mounting fixture comprising;
a first interface housed in the bracket and coupled to direct current leads from photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module and to multi-wire cables linking the photovoltaic module to other photovoltaic modules; and
a second interface housed in a replaceable photovoltaic power element casing and coupled to the photovoltaic power element configured to mate with the first interface so as to mount the photovoltaic inverter to the bracket.
16 . The mounting fixture of claim 15 wherein the bracket is affixed to the photovoltaic module.
17 . The mounting fixture of claim 15 wherein the photovoltaic power element casing includes supplemental surface area fixtures to facilitate heat transfer.
18 . The mounting fixture of claim 15 wherein the photovoltaic power element casing is suspended apart from the photovoltaic module.
19 . The mounting fixture of claim 15 wherein the replaceable photovoltaic power element is an inverter.
20 . The mounting fixture of claim 19 wherein replacement of the replaceable photovoltaic power element occurs during continuous operation of the photovoltaic module.
21 . A method for removing a photovoltaic power element in a photovoltaic system, the method comprising;
identifying from among a plurality of operational photovoltaic modules within the photovoltaic system at least one photovoltaic module having an power element bracket wherein the bracket includes a mounting interface coupling the photovoltaic power element to the power element bracket and herein the mounting interface includes a plurality of connectors for conveyance of electrical power between the photovoltaic module and the photovoltaic power element;
releasing the photovoltaic power element from the power element bracket; and
extracting the photovoltaic power element from the power element bracket wherein prior to the plurality of connectors breaking contact, a connector pin connection is broken, and responsive to the connector pin connection being broken the photovoltaic power element ceases operation.
22 . The method of claim 21 wherein the photovoltaic power element is an inverter.
23 . The method of claim 22 wherein power production of each photovoltaic module within photovoltaic system produces continual power during the extraction of the photovoltaic power element including at the at least one photovoltaic module.
24 . The method of claim 22 further comprising replacing the photovoltaic power element with another photovoltaic power element during continuous operation of the at least one photovoltaic module wherein the another photovoltaic power element begins operation subsequent to the connector pin being connected subsequent to the plurality of connectors interfacing the power element bracket to the photovoltaic power element mating.