Integrated microinverter housing for a PV AC module
Systems and devices relating to an integrated housing for microinverters. The housing has a cavity for housing the circuitry of the microinverter. The housing is mountable on a back sheet of a PV module by way of the housing's top cover. An opening at the back of the housing accommodates DC contacts coming from the PV module while a void configured for an output port is also present in the housing. When mounted on the PV module, the housing is spaced apart from the module.
1. A housing for use with inverter circuitry for photovoltaic (PV) applications, the housing comprising:
a main compartment, said main compartment having:
a cavity for containing said inverter circuitry;
a void for receiving input contacts, said input contacts being for coupling said circuitry with a PV module to receive DC power from said PV module;
an output void for an output coupling port, said output coupling port being for coupling said circuitry to provide AC power to circuitry external to said housing;
a top plate for covering said cavity and for mounting said housing on a frame of said PV module;
wherein
when said housing is mounted on a said frame of said PV module, at least a portion of a bottom of said housing is spaced apart from a back-sheet of said PV module, said housing being in contact with said PV module at DC terminals of said PV module.
2. A housing according to claim 1 wherein said top plate operates as a heat sink for said inverter circuitry.
3. A housing according to claim 1 wherein said top plate comprises a mounting bracket for mounting said housing to said PV module.
4. A housing according to claim 3 wherein said mounting bracket is adjacent a first side of said housing and said output void is at a second side of said housing, said second side being opposite said first side.
5. A housing according to claim 1 wherein all connections and contacts for DC power are contained within said housing.
6. A housing according to claim 2 wherein said top plate is constructed from at least one of aluminum, copper, iron, steel, and an alloy.
7. A housing according to claim 2 wherein said top plate is constructed from at least one of plastic and a plastic composite.
8. A housing according to claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said top plate is constructed from at least one of aluminum, copper, iron, steel and an alloy and at least another portion of said top plate is constructed from at least one of plastic and a plastic composite.
9. A housing according to claim 1 wherein said top place operates as a grounding connection for said PV module.
10. A housing according to claim 1 wherein said void is opposite said top plate.
11. A housing according to claim 1 wherein said housing forms an integrated AC module.
12. A housing according to claim 1 wherein the said housing can be uninstalled by removing at least one of a screw and a bolt from a mounting bracket.