Electrical Panel Fast Switching Between Grid and Solar Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical panels are not designed to efficiently switch between grid-tied and off-grid solar/battery operations, leading to wasted solar power when the grid goes down and requiring separate sub-panels, which limits power availability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An innovative electrical panel that can automatically or manually switch between solar/battery and grid modes using MOSFET, JFET, TRIAC, BJT, IGBT, or SCR switches, with wireless communication and monitoring capabilities, allowing seamless transitions and efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sub-panel is used to separate solar/battery circuits from grid circuits, then circuit protection and organization are improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines grid-tied and solar/battery circuits into a single electrical panel, eliminating the need for separate sub-panels. The integrated design allows both circuit types to coexist in one panel while maintaining proper isolation and protection through shared bus bars and a common enclosure, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements while preserving circuit protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical panel is designed to handle multiple functions within a single device: it accommodates both grid-tied circuits and solar/battery circuits, provides circuit breaking protection for both types, and enables seamless switching between power sources. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated sub-panels for solar applications.
2Reliability
If solar ATS switch is used to transfer between grid and solar power, then continuous power supply is improved, but switching speed and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical switching mechanism of traditional ATS switches with solid-state electronic switching using MOSFETs or IGBTs. These semiconductor devices provide instantaneous switching between grid-tied and solar/battery power sources without mechanical wear or delay, thereby maintaining continuous power supply reliability while dramatically improving switching speed and response time.
3Loss of energy
If grid-tied solar system reduces power from grid, then energy efficiency is improved, but power availability when grid goes down deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability that allows the electrical panel to adaptively change between grid-tied and solar/battery power sources based on real-time conditions. When the grid is available, the system optimizes energy efficiency by prioritizing solar power and reducing grid draw. When the grid goes down, the system dynamically transitions to solar/battery power without interruption, thereby maintaining both energy efficiency and power availability through flexible, condition-based operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If separate sub-panel is used for solar circuits, then circuit organization is improved, but ease of operation and control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges grid-tied and solar/battery circuits into a single organized panel layout with dedicated bus bars and structured wiring. This integrated design maintains clear circuit organization through proper spatial arrangement and labeling while enabling centralized control of all circuits from one location, thereby improving ease of operation compared to distributed sub-panels.
Data Source
AI summary
An innovative electrical panel configured to switch between solar/battery mode and power grid mode connected to a main input power source and a solar input power source, a battery input power source or any combination thereof wherein one or more standard circuit breakers or one or more custom wireless circuit breakers are configured to utilize one or more fast-switching components that are configured to alternate one or more circuit breakers between the main input power source and the solar, a battery or any combination thereof, input power source.