Pole-mounted power generation systems, structures and processes

Abstract

Solar power systems and structures are mountable to a power distribution structure, e.g. a power pole or tower, which supports alternating current (AC) power transmission lines. An exemplary power generation structure is fixedly attached to and extends from the power distribution structure, and comprises a mounting rack. A solar array, comprising at least one solar panel, is affixed to the mounting rack. A DC to AC inverter is connected between the DC outputs of the solar array and the AC power transmission lines. The length of the solar array is generally in alignment with the power distribution structure, and the width of the solar array is greater than half the circumference of the power distribution structure. The mounting rack and solar array may preferably be rotatable, such as based on any of location, time of day, or available light.

1 . A power generation system, comprising:
 a central controller or server; and   one or more power generation structures, wherein each of the power generation structures includes:
 a mounting structure attached to a power distribution structure, wherein the power distribution structure is configured to support alternating current (AC) power transmission lines that are connected to a power grid; 
 a solar array comprising at least one solar panel that is affixed to the mounting structure, and DC outputs extending from the solar array; 
 an DC to AC inverter connected between the DC outputs of the solar array and the AC power transmission lines; and 
 a communication link to the central controller or server. 
   
     
     
         2 . The power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the power distribution structure for one or more of power generation structures has a defined axis and a defined circumference, and wherein the mounting structure includes a mounting rack that is configured to extend from the power distribution structure. 
     
     
         3 . The power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication link is any of a wired link or a wireless link. 
     
     
         4 . The power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structures are attached on top of the AC power transmission lines. 
     
     
         5 . The power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the central controller or server is configured to provide off-site control of the power distribution structures. 
     
     
         6 . The power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the off-site control includes any of start-up, daily shutdown, fail safe/emergency shutdown, and/or maintenance modes of operation for one or more of the power distribution structures. 
     
     
         7 . The power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the power generation structures are configured to send monitoring information to the central controller or server over the communication link. 
     
     
         8 . The power generation system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure is configured to controllably move the solar array based on any of location, time of day, date, shading, or maximum illumination direction. 
     
     
         9 . A method, comprising:
 attaching a power generation structure to a power distribution structure that supports alternating current (AC) power transmission lines that are connected to a power grid, wherein the power generation structure includes:
 a mounting structure, 
 a solar array comprising at least one solar panel that is affixed to the mounting structure, and DC outputs extending from the solar array, 
 a DC to AC inverter connected between the DC outputs of the solar array and the AC power transmission lines, and 
 a communication link to a central controller or server; 
   wherein the attaching the power generation structure to the power distribution structure comprises attaching the mounting structure to the power distribution structure, such that the mounting structure extends from the power distribution structure; and   providing off-site control of the power generation structure with the central controller or server over the communication link.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 ,
 collecting solar energy through the solar array;   inverting the DC power from the solar array to AC power through the DC to AC inverter; and   transferring the AC power to the AC power transmission lines.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the power distribution structure has a defined axis and a defined circumference, and wherein the mounting structure includes a mounting rack that is configured to extend from the power distribution structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the off-site control includes any of start-up, daily shutdown, fail safe/emergency shutdown, and/or maintenance modes of operation for the power distribution structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 sending monitoring information to the central controller or server over the communication link.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving a control signal from the central controller or server over the communication link.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 controllably moving the solar array based on any of location, time of day, date, shading, or maximum illumination direction.   
     
     
         16 . A power generation structure, comprising:
 a mounting structure that is configured for attachment to a power distribution structure, wherein the power distribution structure is configured to support alternating current (AC) power transmission lines that are connected to a power grid;   a solar array comprising at least one solar panel that is affixed to the mounting rack, and DC outputs extending from the solar array;   an DC to AC inverter connected between the DC outputs of the solar array and the AC power transmission lines; and   a communication link to a central controller or server.   
     
     
         17 . The power generation structure of  claim 16 , wherein the communication link is any of a wired link and a wireless link. 
     
     
         18 . The power generation structure of  claim 16 , wherein the power distribution structure has a defined axis and a defined circumference, and wherein the mounting structure includes a mounting rack that is configured to extend from the power distribution structure. 
     
     
         19 . The power generation structure of  claim 16 , wherein the central controller or server is configured to provide off-site control of the power distribution structure. 
     
     
         20 . The power generation structure of  claim 16 , wherein the off-site control includes any of start-up, daily shutdown, fail safe/emergency shutdown, and/or maintenance modes of operation for the power distribution structure. 
     
     
         21 . The power generation structure of  claim 16 , wherein the power generation structure is configured to send monitoring information to the central controller or server over the communication link. 
     
     
         22 . The power generation structure of  claim 16 , wherein the power distribution structure comprises any of a power distribution pole or a power distributio