SBIR-STTR Award

Standardization of components and integration of sub-components into larger entities are needed to reduce the cost of solar installations. Without these, the design and installation of solar can be not only complex, but components that are incompatible in the field lead to further cost increases and inefficiencies of labor. Standardization creates a known set of components whose specifications and operating characteristics apply regardless of their location or jurisdiction. It leads to a plug?n?play environment whereby minimal training or skillsets are needed to perform the installation. It also aids in the permitting process whereby each installation is no longer a custom design effort with varying components. Integration further reduces costs and installation complexities. Instead of field assemblying several components, a whole sub-assembly can be delivered at the site and effortlessly constructed, reducing opportunities for errors, increasing safety and keeping non-production time to a minimum. eIQ Energy believes that legacy of stringing PV modules to provide the necessary operating voltage for inverters has created a method that is applicable only to the best of sites for solar. Each string has to be populated with modules whose operating characteristics are tightly controlled and whose orientation must match all modules on that string. This also creates module co-dependence, analogous to the Christmas tree light effect whereby one bad light takes out the whole string. The eIQ Energy technology takes each module and by boosting its output voltage to required inverter levels, makes each module an independent power generator that can literally be attached at any point on a high voltage DC buss. By removing the co-dependence of modules and integrating the module and the electronics, standard building blocks can now be realized, leading to further integration and thereby reducing fixed and labor costs. eIQ Energy, using its vBoost technology, will develop a module compatible sized converter and integrate it with the module. This also permits integrating several other functions such as interconnection, roof mounting structure and wiring harnesses to significantly reduce the labor costs associated with rooftop solar installations. In Phase I, eIQ will develop the architecture and prototypes of these items. Reducing design, labor and component costs, in addition to providing a standard installation environment, will lead to affordable solar for all homeowners and commercial property owners. Going to a plug?n?play architecture takes the mystery out of electrical connectivity of solar allowing even the homeowner to take it on as a Do-It-Yourself project. Standard installations simplify the permitting process, further reducing costs.

Solar PV pricing has two primary components: hardware costs and soft costs. Hardware innovations, volume manufacturing and competition made significant effects on hardware pricing, but now hardware costs are plateaud and a fundamental change is needed to continue that downward pricing trend. While efforts continue to reduce soft and balance of system (BOS) costs, they too will plateau, especially with diverse components that require custom installations for virtually every site. eIQ believes that the industry must drive to standardized, integrated systems that offer plugnplay benefits. eIQ Energys parallel, HVDC (High Voltage DC) electronics offers to change that by taking the output of each module, regardless of its characteristics, and normalizing it to a high voltage DC buss that can be standardized regardless of the size, location, technology or end use. Each PV-module now becomes a known, independent power building block and by removing the co-dependence of modules and integrating the module and the electronics, standard building blocks can now be realized, leading to further integration and thereby reducing fixed and labor costs. Additionally, because the vBoost now adds current instead of voltage, 2x-3x more power can be transmitted over the same wire as a maximum series string configuration, leading to further cost reduction and installation simplification. The eIQ Energy patented technology works by taking the output of the PV-module, typically 20V to 120V, and boosts the voltage to between 320Vdc and 900Vdc. This voltage is determined by the part number and the HVDC buss requirements and is typically set by the inverter or the buss attached electronics such as battery storage. On the module side, the vBoost performs maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to ensure maximum energy extraction from the PV-module. In-circuit elements control the operation of the vBoost, including safety/remote disable, arc fault protection, and, data gathering and transmission. In Phase I, eIQ successfully developed new architecture that took the existing vBoost, encased in a large, aluminum box, and reduced it so that it can now fit within the junction box of the PV-module. Prototypes were made and tested and operate as designed. Cost targets demonstrated that the vBoost electronics are now 1/5th or so of their original cost. During Phase I, eIQ worked closely with key module manufacturers, customers and businesses to develop keen interest in the PV-module integrated vBoost and has received several letters of interest. During this time, eIQ also worked with an innovative module technology company that has developed a light weight, frameless PV-module ideal for eIQs technology. The vBoost technology is also perfect for integrating renewable energy into microgrids that operate on the emerging 380Vdc buss standard. The technology is also suitable in rural electrification, agriculture and military applications. In Phase II, eIQ will productize the vBoost. This will include optimizing the prototype design, developing the enclosure and interconnections, and working with key partners on commercialization. Once completed, the technology will be able to offer a truly plug and play solution that will standardize PV installations and reduce the BOS and other soft costs.