The present invention relates to a hybrid solar charge controller. The present invention in particular relates to an IoT based hybrid solar charge controller which can work with already existing/ operating power backup system for optimum usage of solar energy and helps in energy saving.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[002] Industrial, commercial, and residential buildings, utilize electrical power primarily from a municipal power supply grid. However, the use of alternative supplies of power is becoming widespread. These alternative supplies of power include, for example, green energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV) cell arrays, wind farms as well as fossil fuel generators. As these alternative supplies of power may be insufficient to fully satisfy the energy requirements, it is often necessary to employ a mixed-approach to energy consumption whereby green energy sources are used to the extent available. The municipal power supply grid may be relied upon to compensate for the difference between the supply of power from the green energy sources and the energy demanded by the facility.
[003] Hybrid power systems employing multiple power energy sources require careful control of system in order to coordinate the delivery of power from the sources to system loads. These loads can vary widely in magnitude, and occur unexpectedly in time, particularly in hybrid powered inverters or batteries.
[004] Now, reference may be made to the following prior arts:-
[005] Indian patent no. 215/DEL/2014 relates to a hybrid solar charge controller that can be connected with already existing/ operating power backup system, thereby enabling users of the existing inverters to use solar power from the panels. The invention comprises solar charge controller unit with power supply, battery input, solar input, battery and PV reverse indication, mains interface and main control unit. Main control unit is interfaced with real time clock and external communication unit. Solar charge controller unit has ambient temperature compensation, user setting type/ battery usage, key pad interface and display unit interface. This does not talk about load calculation.
[006] US Publication No. 20130170271 describes an inverter with a connector element, comprising a fixture with a connector element arranged thereupon and an electronic part which can be plugged into said connector element, together forming said inverter, the connector element comprising a connector block for connecting at least one solar module, and at least one connector for the electronic part, wherein corresponding connector sockets for pluggably connecting to the connectors are arranged on the electronic part, and said converter also comprising a DC breaking element.
[007] The patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[008] US Publication No. 20130046415 provides a system for managing power in a facility includes a hardware interface with a plurality of access ports for connecting with a utility power grid, at least one renewable power source, and at least one electrical load. A plurality of sensor devices monitors power conditions at the plurality of access ports. A microprocessor controls the hardware interface to enable or disable each of the plurality of access ports in accordance with the one or more control programs and the monitored power conditions of the access ports. An interface device receives instructions from a user and modifying the one or more control programs stored in the storage device based on the received instructions. The patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[009] Publication No. WO2007042617 provides a system for transmitting electric energy generated as a result of a photoelectric effect to an electronic device, and particularly to a card and a card receiver, and to a system in which identification cards or corresponding cards can be utilized as part of a system transmitting electric energy. The patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[010] Publication No. CN202663133 provides portable solar combined power supply device comprising a charging energy storage input interface, a charging energy storage module, a direct-current power supply output module and an alternating-current power supply output module, wherein the charging energy storage input interface is connected with the charging energy storage module; the charging energy storage module is capable of gating a charging mode through a charging control module so as to charge electric energy into a storage battery bank; the electric energy in the storage battery bank is output from a direct current output interface in the form of direct current through a voltage conversion and control module; and the electric energy in the storage battery bank can also be output from the alternating-current power supply output module in the form of alternating current of 220 V and 50 Hz through an inverter power supply circuit. This patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[011] Publication No. CN201590672 provides a portable solar energy integrated module power supply device, which belongs to the technical field of solar energy power supply manufacturing. The power supply device is characterized in that the solar panel is installed on the top portion of the outer casing, the circuit controller and the storage battery are installed inside a casing body; the direct-current interface is installed on one side of the casing body; the solar panel is connected with the circuit controller; the circuit controller is connected with the storage battery; the storage battery is further connected with the circuit controller; and the circuit controller is connected with the direct-current interface. Besides, an inverter is further installed inside the outer casing; an alternating-current interface is installed on one side of the outer casing; one end of the inverter is connected with the circuit controller; and the other end of the inverter is connected with the alternating-current interface. This patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[012] Publication No. CN202524122 provides a wireless solar energy charging device. The wireless solar energy charging device of the utility model is capable of realizing wireless charging and avoids the complicated design of a wired charging system.. This patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[013] Publication No. CN102832701 provides a solar intelligent household power supply system. A solar panel can charge a battery under the automatic control of an MCU (micro-controller unit) controller. This patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[014] Publication No. CN201813203 provides an intelligent power supply inverter comprising a charge controller, a current detector, a DC-AC conversion controller, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) control module, a power switcher, an AC-DC conversion controller and a commercial power charge switch. The patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[015] US Publication No. 20120057388 provides a solar photovoltaic inverter, comprising: a power conditioning circuit mounted on a circuit board, the power conditioning circuit having a dc power input to receive dc power from one or more photovoltaic panels and an ac power output to deliver ac power to an ac mains power supply. The patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[016] Publication No. CN201450350 provides a solar charger which comprises an outer casing, a solar panel, a chargeable and dischargeable accumulator battery, a card slot and a charging interface. Solar, Hydro, Wind Power, Inc. provides wind inverter which automatically synchronizes to the utility grid and shuts off the connection if the grid goes down. This patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[017] Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. provides a hybrid solar charge controller that can work with existing inverter and batteries. The unit consists of solar panel, batteries, & solar /Mains charge controller cum inverter with logic circuit.
[018] This describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[019] Statcon Power Controls Ltd. provides hybrid solar inverter-cum- charger system. It consists of MPPT PWM solar charge controller with hybrid inverter. As per the requirement, the same inverter can supply full DC power for charging of battery through 230V AC mains. This patent describes a system with does not include the features such as the mains input measurement, battery state of charge and the peak power tariff control settings.
[020] Though solar charge controller for hybrid inverter is mentioned in prior art. However, there is a need for an efficient hybrid solar charge controller which can work with existing inverters/batteries. Also a hybrid solar charge controller is required that controls the mains supply of the inverter and is economical.
[021] Therefore, the present invention provides an IoT based hybrid solar charge controller that can be connected with available power backup systems to enable users of the existing inverters to use solar power from the panels.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[022] The principal object of the present invention is to provide an IoT based hybrid solar charge controller that can be connected with available power backup systems to enable users of the existing inverters to use solar power from the panels.
[023] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a battery management system 3a which is a part of charging control and is controlled by solar charge controller manages lithium ion battery bank and monitors the voltage, charging and discharging of the battery, battery input, solar input, multiple DC output, battery and PV reverse indication.
[024] Yet another object of the present invention a hybrid solar charge controller with energy and cost saving on hourly/daily/monthly/yearly basis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[025] Accordingly the present invention provides an IoT based hybrid solar charge controller that can be connected with available power backup systems to enable users of the existing inverters to use solar power from the panels.
[026] Said hybrid solar charge controller comprises solar charge controller unit 1 with power supply 2, battery input 3, solar input 4, battery and PV reverse indication 5, mains interface 6 and main control unit 7. Main control unit 7 is interfaced with real time clock 8 and IoT based external communication unit 9 that enables the user of the existing inverters to use solar power from the panels. A battery management system 3a which is a part of charging control and is controlled by solar charge controller manages lithium ion battery bank and monitors the voltage, charging and discharging of the battery, battery input, solar input, multiple DC output, battery and PV reverse indication.
[027] The hybrid solar charge controller provides energy and cost saving on hourly/daily/monthly/yearly basis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING:
[028] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and wherein:
[029] Fig. 1 shows block diagram according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS: -
[030] The present invention discloses a hybrid solar charge controller.
[031] Now, reference may be made to figure 1 which provides an IoT based hybrid solar charge controller that can be connected with available power backup systems to enable users of the existing inverters to use solar power from the panels.
[032] Said hybrid solar charge controller comprises solar charge controller unit 1 with power supply 2, battery input 3, solar input 4, battery and PV reverse indication 5, mains interface 6 and main control unit 7. Main control unit 7 is interfaced with real time clock 8 and IoT based external communication unit 9 that enables the user of the existing inverters to use solar power from the panels. A battery management system 3a which is a part of charging control and is controlled by solar charge controller manages lithium ion battery bank and monitors the voltage, charging and discharging of the battery, battery input, solar input, multiple DC output, battery and PV reverse indication. The solar charge controller unit 1 has ambient temperature compensation 10, user setting type/ battery usage 11, key pad interface 12 and display unit interface 13. The solar charge controller unit compares the load with respect to the power generated and supplied power to the load accordingly. If power generate is equal to the power required, the power is supplied directly to the load and if the power generated is more than the power required, excess generated power is fed to charge the battery for backup.
[033] The backup system monitors the mains power to identify the load by mains interface and main control unit interfaced with IoT based external communication unit.
[034] In an aspect the solar charge controller is used to supply the power to the batteries used in electric vehicle.
[035] In an aspect the said solar charge controller has multiple DC output to supply DC power to the multiple load simultaneously.
[036] The system of present invention has provision of selecting different type of batteries such as tubular, LA, SMF etc. Further, the system provides the temperature compensation during the charging of battery from the solar panel. The system measures the ambient temperature and accordingly controls the boost voltage of the battery for the optimum charging of the battery. This helps in enhancing the life of the battery as charging the battery to boost voltage at higher temperature reduces the life of the battery.
[037] Further, the system has a display for displaying the status and various other parameters such as solar panel voltage, current, power and energy generated. It also displays the energy usage from the mains supply and various other user configurable setting such as battery type, peak power duration, battery usage in backup, mains usage limit etc.
[038] This hybrid nature of controller enables an accelerated charging of inverters and batteries on one hand, whereas on the other hand it can provide the charging of the battery from solar even if grid supply is available. The control-action of the system lies in controlling it through mains or solar panel. This invention thus has the advantage of regulating voltage and current through external device. Thus the hybrid solar charge controller is an external device which controls the main supply to the inverter and controls the charging of the battery from solar even if grid supply is available. One of the advantages of such hybrid system is that through its controlled mechanism it can offset the effect of fluctuations in the mains/ solar panels to a great extent.
[039] The solar charge controller controls the mains charging through the programmable setting based on the real time clock. It is very important feature for the peak power tariff. So that, the battery charging and mains supply usage can be controlled.
[040] In several places the government is enforcing the time of day metering and also monitoring the maximum demand generated from the users. In case the maximum usage increases beyond the granted limits, they can levy extra charges for the electricity consumption during that period.
[041] The Hybrid solar charge controller not only monitors the mains input, it also does the isolated sensing of the power drawn from the mains power supply. By this it calculates the amount of power usage at any point of time and the maximum demand over the defined time period.
[042] The Hybrid solar charge controller has an inbuilt real time clock module that keeps the track of the absolute time. The user can set the start and the end of the peak power time. The hybrid charge controller taking note of the battery state cuts the mains supply from the inverter connected thereto. During this period the battery backup is used to power the load. If the load is increased beyond a threshold limit and the battery cannot support the load, the mains is connected back to charge the battery after giving warning. If the load is within limits the load would be run from the battery backup during the peak power tariff duration, and as the mains power is not used during the peak power duration it results in the savings of the electricity bill.
[043] The system gives user the flexibility of setting the peak power duration through various means such as keyboard or through communication channel. The system also has an external current sense input to measure the charging from grid and discharging of the battery. This is used to keep the state of charge of the connected battery.
[044] Once the battery is fully charged the mains power is cut and the connected load runs on the backup mode from the inverter connected after the solar charge controller. The solar charge controller also measures the solar power generated from the connected panels, relying on which the cumulative and day wise kWh is calculated. There is also a provision of displaying the amount of money saved by using the solar energy, which is calculated by multiplying the kWh unit reading with the unit rate input by the use in the configuration settings.
[045] Further, the present invention can control the mains power usage per day. The solar charge controller measures the mains input power parameters and can restrict the use of the mains supply when the input power drawn goes above the set threshold in the user configuration setting, after which the mains power is disconnected and the load is run from the backup and solar power if available.
[046] All these settings are user configurable and can be enabled or disabled. The system also provides external communication link for other devices to connect with it. The status and setting of the system can be viewed and changed from external devices such as mobile phones, laptops and other hand held devices. The communication channel can be either wired or wireless so the user can change and save the setting in the device on the fly. All the configurations are password protected. After the settings are saved the system starts operating according to the setting. The hybrid solar charge controller with energy and cost saving on hourly/daily/monthly/yearly basis.
[047] Reference numerals (Fig. 1)
[048] Solar charge controller unit -1
[049] Power supply-2
[050] Battery input-3
[051] Battery management system -3a
[052] Solar input-4
[053] Battery and PV reverse indication-5
[054] Mains interface unit (mains high/low/cut/connection/ disconnection) Fuse protection-6
[055] Main control unit -7
[056] Real time clock interface (*)-8
[057] External comm.. interface -9
[058] Amb. Temp. Compensation-10
[059] User setting (Battery Type/Battery usage)-11
[060] Key pad interface-12
[061] Display unit interface-13
[062] IoT based communication interface - 14
[063] It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims.

WE CLAIM:

1. An IoT based hybrid solar charge controller using solar power from the panels that with power backup system monitors the mains power to identify the load by mains interface (6) and main control unit (7) interfaced with IoT based external communication unit (14) and enable users of the existing inverters to use solar power from the panels comprises solar charge controller unit (1) characterized in that battery management system (3a) which is a part of charging control and is controlled by solar charge controller for managing lithium ion battery bank and monitoring the voltage, charging and discharging of the battery, battery input (3), solar input (4), multiple DC output, battery and PV reverse indication (5), wherein the solar charge controller unit (1) compares the load with respect to the with respect to the power generated and supplied power to the load accordingly.
2. The IoT based hybrid solar charge controller, as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said controller is used to supply the power to the batteries used in electric vehicle.
3. The IoT based hybrid solar charge controller, as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said controller supplies DC power to the multiple load.