ALTERNATING CURRENT PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE
Various technologies for integrating an inverter with a photovoltaic module are disclosed.
1 . An inverter for a photovoltaic module, comprising:
a housing having a first surface configured to confront the photovoltaic module and a second surface opposite the first surface,
a plurality of terminals coupled to the housing, each terminal being configured to connect with a direct current (DC) output of the photovoltaic module,
an alternating current (AC) connector positioned in an aperture defined in the second surface,
a circuit board positioned between the plurality of terminals and the AC connector, the circuit board being configured to convert DC power to AC power, and
an access door configured to cover an opening defined in the second surface, wherein the access door is moveable between a first position in which the plurality of terminals are accessible through the opening and a second position in which access to the plurality of terminals is prevented.
2 . The inverter of claim 1 , wherein the access door is removable from the housing to permit access to the plurality of terminals.
3 . The inverter of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of diodes, each diode being associated with a corresponding terminal of the plurality of terminals.
4 . The inverter of claim 1 , wherein the second surface of the housing has a plurality of fins formed thereon.
5 . The inverter of claim 1 , wherein the aperture defines a cross.
6 . The inverter of claim 1 , wherein the AC connector includes:
a first set of pins positioned in a first orientation,
a second set of pins positioned in a second orientation different from the first orientation, and
each of the first set of pins and the second set of pins provide a complete electrical connection such that the second set of pins is redundant to the first set of pins.
7 . The inverter of claim 6 , wherein the second orientation is positioned orthogonal to the first orientation.
8 . An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module comprising:
a photovoltaic module having a direct current (DC) output connector, and
an inverter positioned over the DC output connector, the inverter including (i) a housing secured to the photovoltaic module, (ii) a DC input connector connected to the DC output connector, (iii) an alternating current (AC) connector, (iv) a circuit board positioned between the DC input connector and the AC connector, the circuit board being configured to convert DC power to AC power, and (v) an access door configured to cover an opening defined in the housing, wherein the access door is moveable between a first position in which the DC input connector and the DC output connector are accessible through the opening and a second position in which access to the DC input connector and the DC output connector is prevented.
9 . The ACPV of claim 8 , wherein the DC output connector of the photovoltaic module includes a plurality of pins extending from a back surface thereof.
10 . The ACPV of claim 9 , wherein the DC input connector includes a plurality of spring clips.
11 . The ACPV of claim 8 , wherein the access door is removable from the housing to permit access to the DC input connector and the DC output connector.
12 . The ACPV of claim 8 , wherein the inverter further includes a plurality of diodes.
13 . The ACPV of claim 8 , wherein the housing has a plurality of fins formed thereon.
14 . The ACPV of claim 8 , wherein the aperture defines a cross.
15 . The ACPV of claim 8 , wherein:
the photovoltaic module includes a support frame, and
the housing of the inverter is secured to the support frame via a mechanical fastener.
16 . The ACPV of claim 8 , wherein the alternating current (AC) connector is positioned in an aperture defined in an outer surface of the housing.
17 . An inverter for a photovoltaic module, comprising:
a housing having (i) a first surface configured to confront the photovoltaic module, (ii) a second surface opposite the first surface, and (iii) a connection chamber positioned between the first surface and the second surface
a plurality of electrical terminals positioned in the connection chamber, each terminal being configured to connect with a direct current (DC) output terminal of the photovoltaic module,
a plurality of alternating current (AC) terminals positioned in an aperture defined in the second surface of the housing,
a circuit board configured to convert DC power to AC power, and
an access door configured to cover the connection chamber, wherein the access door is moveable between a first position in which the plurality of electrical terminals are accessible and a second position in which access to the plurality of electrical terminals is prevented.