[0001] This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No. 62/457,537 filed February 10, 2017, incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Art

[0002] Described are electrical power generation systems and methods, and specifically to portable solar energy devices that convert the DC energy supplied by renewable energy sources such as PV panels and Wind Turbines to alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical power which may be alternately supplied to a load or stored in an energy storage device such as a batter}' . Additionally, are described embodiments where a plurality of these devices may be physically and electronically interconnected into a self-contained electrical energy network that is in a stand-alone "islanded" configuration and not connected to a typical large scale utility power grid.

Discussion of the Related Art

[0003] A large element of the global population exists without access to an electrical grid. Additionally, an even larger element exists with access to an electrical grid that provides power unreliably and for only a portion of each day. These users often do not live in stable circumstances, frequently moving from place to place as conditions require. For these users, portable power generation is highly desirable, yet the existing art is described as "mobile", "trailered", "wheeled" and "containerized". This art is not of the type that can be picked up and easily carried by a user. SUMMARY

[0004] Described is a scalable power conversion and supply system that converts DC power from renewable energy DC sources to various types of AC and DC power for off-grid applications,

[0005] The functions of charge control, power conversion, reverse polarity protection, user interface and networking operations are integrated into a single electronic circuit operated by a computer processor with a memory with programmed instructions therein.

[0006] Further described is a method for providing electrical grid operators with an automated analytical process for determining viable off-grid area extensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TH E FIGURES

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of components of the physical circuit layer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the "Forward Regulating Integrated Converter-Inverter"

[0009] FIG 3 is a diagram of the Forward Regulating Integrated Converter-Inverter's Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) logical architecture.

[0010] FIG 4 is a diagram illustrating the components of an enclosed device or multiple devices in accordance with an exemplar}- embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the device's power and data networks in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the integration of sensors throughout the device to collect parametric and system data such as energy produced, energy consumed, energy stored, device faults, device alerts, and device status information; and the integration of these sensors with a computer processor, firmware, and a telecommunications transceiver modem connecting the device to an internet application for aggregating, analyzing, and acting upon the parametric and system data in accordance with an exemplar}' embodiment. [0013] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the integration of a condenser into the device so that it controls and supplies power in order to produce water and treat the water with example purification methods in order to become potable.

[0014] FIG. 8 is the method whereby a constellation of devices can be deployed in an off-grid area by a grid operator/utility to determine electrical demand so that a business case decision for grid extension can be informed by decision level data.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a description of the reverse polarity method.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a description of the Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus termination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Fossil fuel powered electrical generators are problematic due to their noise and expense. Additionally, fossil fuel costs and maintenance costs make this type of power generation too expensive for the vast majority of the off -grid global population. Therefore renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are becoming preferred for new power generation due to their generation capability and their low costs. However, the application of these sources to the off-grid population is hindered by the fact that bot PV and wind sources are mainly being employed as addendums to existing power grids. The slow and costly extension of those grids to the off-grid population is not significantly improving access to power. The invention of an innovative Portable Renewable Energy Power Converter and Storage Supply System and Method is required to match the availability of renewable energy power sources that can be economically applied to off grid user applications. Specifically, the innovation requires efficient power conversion and storage handling at an affordable cost to the user.

[0018] The existing art does not satisfy user requirements for power levels ranging from 50 to 2400 watts. Above the 2400 watt level, other power solutions become available and are implemented. In fact, there are point solutions at various power levels, with the vast majority of these solutions aimed at power levels under 300 watts. The existing art has been sufficient to provide power levels for recharging phones and individual Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting. This level of power does not provide, however, sufficient power for operating typical appliances, water pumping or treatment, large scale lighting, air conditioning, refrigeration, or operation of small electric motors commonly used in rural industry over an extended period of time of days, weeks, and months. One reason for this is that AC power generation is technically challenging to integrate into a single circuit incorporating both logic and power components. Therefore, for users in the 300-2400 watt power envelope, the existing art is to tie together separate components such as charge controllers, inverters, user interfaces, and DC power conversion. This creates a complex and frequently dangerous result as there is technical expertise required to assemble such components into a functional system. Critically, this approach is also expensive and inflexible, being limited to the capability of the installed components. Also, the existing art is frequently dangerous, producing a technology result that has a large mass of exposed external wiring vulnerable to short circuits and electric shock. In many cases, the existing art does not provide for user protection of the injurious effects associated with lead acid batteries which can emit toxic fumes.

[0019] Described herein as a Portable Renewable Energy Power Converter and Storage Supply System, provided is a system that integrates all of the requirements into an electrical device, and that provides scalable power by using a technical approach to aggregating the cumulative power levels of individual devices. In this embodiment, the innovation presents power levels from the 300 watt to 2400 watt level. AC output is required to take advantage of the many appliances and devices which may only be available in AC form. To address the educational and literacy levels of off-grid users, the innovation enables and provides for self- training, automatic operation, and especially automatic fault handling. This means that the innovation utilizes a computer with a programmable memory to integrate the required separate technical components into a single device.

[0020] The innovation is compatible with both types of Photo- Voltaic (PV) modules currently available which are described as "12 volt" and "24 volt" devices. The existing art for

conventional portable solar power conversion and supply devices is to use 12 volt PV panels that output up to 180 watts. However, these modules are more expensive on a "per watt" basis than 24 volt PV modules that output 285 watts and higher. Notably, the existing art does not support 24 volt "flex panels" that are highly relevant to the portable off-grid user. The innovation presented here supports both 12 and 24 volt PV panels. [0021] The existing art for conventional portable solar power conversion and supply devices is for stand-alone devices with varying inverter sizes to provide varying power increments. The cost of design for each inverter is therefore incurred and production runs for each inverter size are limited to the market demand for that specific power delivery rating. This makes the overall cost of conventional portable solar power conversion and supply devices higher than is required for a user population with varying power requirements.

[0022] The innovation does not require replaceable fuses, using resettable circuit protection elements for circuit protection so that function is not curtailed due to a blown fuse. This is a considerable improvement over the existing art which connects separate devices into an overall apparatus through use of wire harnesses and provides circuit protection with fuses placed in the wire harnesses. These fuses may not be replaceable, and where they are replaceable they require the user to have a stock of spare fuses to ensure continued operation of the device. In the case of an irreplaceable fuse or of an unobtainable fuse, the apparatus ceases to function.

[0023] The innovation presented here supplies off grid populations with access to AC power of the type used in their national grids. This is important because these populations will only have access to AC appliances matched to the power supply from their national grids.

Worldwide, there are two predominant power types, 110 Volt AC operating at 60 Hertz and 230 Volt AC operating at 50 Hertz. However, existing portable solar power devices intended for broad consumption are designed to support only one type of AC voltage output.

[0024] The innovation supplies pure sine wave AC power using a single circuit with a charge controller, user interface, network and power interfaces, and DC power semces. The existing art for portable solar power conversion and supply devices use at least one solar module to charge a battery. The battery is then directly connected to an inverter which converts the DC power from the battery into AC power which is then provided to an outlet where a load may be connected. These loads may take many forms such as appliances, motors, instruments, or sensors. To successfully power these devices, true sine wave power is required. The existing art does not integrate a pure sine wave AC inverter into a single circuit with a charge controller, user interface, network and power interfaces, and DC power services. [0025] Around the world, many different types of batteries are available. It is therefore impractical to provide a physical connection scheme that prevents the batter}' terminals being connected in such a manner so that a reverse polarity condition results. Reverse polarity connections typically damage inverters beyond repair. The most common mitigation for reverse polarity connections is a placard, usually written in English, warning that a reverse polarity connection will damage the unit. This is an inferior approach given that low literacy or illiterate users will operate portable solar power conversion and supply devices. The innovation contains electrical circuits and a computer with a programmable memory that detects the reverse polarity condition and prevents reverse polarity connection to the main circuit.

[0026] The existing art does not sufficiently address the fact that the global off-grid population does not speak a single language and may have low literacy rates and high illiteracy levels. Conventional portable solar power conversion and supply devices do not attempt to teach their users how to use their devices so that battery life, PV module energy delivery, and power use are optimized beyond supplying a written user's manual that may have little practical effect given their users' ability to understand the manual. This is a substandard approach that results in misused and damaged devices, raising the overall expense to the user while also lowering the utility of the device. In extreme cases, it will prevent access to electricity. The innovation improves upon the existing art by integrating a voice training and warning capability controlled by a computer with a programmable memory that can be programmed in any language. This innovation addresses the deficiency in the existing art where this capability is absent,

[0027] To meet needs for a local power network, an innovation is presented that allows multiple devices to be connected by a data and power network. In the illustrative embodiment, the power devices are placed in separate enclosures that are then connected by a robust network such as CAN bus. In the specific embodiment where CAN bus is used to construct the physical and logical data network layers, an innovation is presented for terminating the CAN bus network layers which is not present in the existing art. The Portable Renewable Energy Power Converter and Storage Supply System uses a physical implementation in the AC Power/CAN bus connector cable connector to signal the computer controlling the device that the CA bus is terminated. This innovation improves the existing art because CAN bus is not a network that allows for connection and disconnection of nodes along the network in a dynamic manner. The existing CAN bus art requires the number of nodes to be known and registered before network operations begin. The innovation presented allows the computer with a programmable memory to determine its position in the network while power and network operations are ongoing.

[0028] To allow for remote control and reporting, a communications device is incorporated. The illustrative example employs a telecommunications modem that connects to a typical digital messaging network. The innovation's central computer processor controls the operation and data flow of the device so that data collected by the device's embedded sensors are collected and disseminated to an internet-based application. An illustrative method is presented for analyzing the power generation and consumption patterns of a distributed group of devices for the purpose of determining a business model for providing distributed energy power sources to users as an alternative to extending the power grid,

[0029] To provide potable water in the off grid environment, an embodiment is presented that integrates a condenser unit into the device. The resulting embodiment is powered by a renewable energy source and controlled by the device's processor. The illustrative example uses the same innovative approach to circuit integration and logical control over power and data network operations as has been described in the preceding paragraphs.

[0030] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. As a convention, when a component or process is first introduced in a fi gure, it will retain its first assigned number if it is used in succeeding figures. For example, the processor is named "101" in the first figure. Succeeding figures retain the number 101 to grant continuity between the figures. [0031] FIG 1 illustrates the Device 100 at the circuit layer. The device uses a Processor 101 to control the production of power through a Wind Turbine 103 and or a Photovoltaic Panel 104. The power is stored in a Batter}' 102. A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Charge Controller 105 converts the DC current from 103 and 104 and charges the battery while also delivering power to the Forward Regulating Integrated Converter-Inverter 106, The Processor 101 controls the logical aspect of the device 100. The Processor 101 controls the User Interface 107 and its Speaker 108 and Display 109. The User Interface 107 plays audio files from a Memory Device 115 through the Speaker 108 in response to commands from the Processor 101. These audio files may be instructions, training, alerts, warnings or other information delivered to the device user in any language programmed onto the Memory Device 115 as described in Claims 16 and 20. DC power is distributed by the MPPT Charge Controller to Universal Serial Bus (USB) Outputs 110 and 12 Volt DC Outputs 1 1 1. AC power is produced by the Forward Regulating Integrated Converter-Inverter 106 and connected to the AC Output Network 125. AC power is controlled and distributed by the Processor 101 using relays 122 and CAN Bus Network Connections 114. The Device 100 communicates through a Modem Telecommunications Transceiver 1 12. A Tamper Switch 116 prevents the enclosure from being opened without signaling the Processor 101. A Reverse Polarity Protection circuit 117 prevents damage to the system from the battery being connected with reverse polarity. A Bootstrap Circuit 1 18 allows the Device 100 to be powered from an "off condition by the PV Panel 104. A Real Time Clock 119 provides a constant "real time" signal to the Processor 101. Protection 120 prevents damage to various circuits by implementation of resettable fuses. AC power level is sensed by an AC Monitor 121. Relays 122 connect the AC power to the AC power network 125 and AC Output 123 and are controlled by the Processor 101. Network Data Connection 124 is connected to the Processor 101. The Network Data Connection 124 connects to other devices 100 along a CAN BUS Network 1 14 where all devices share parametric and system data and react to command signals from the network controlling device along a "Network of N Devices ^' " 1 13. See Fig. 4 for exemplary embodiments of either single or multiple devices mounted in a single enclosure. See Fig. 5 for discussion of power and data network operations between connected devices 100 where they are mounted in separate enclosures. See Fig. 6 for a block diagram of power and data sensor operations for purposes of remote data monitoring and device control . [0032] Fig 2 illustrates how the device creates and controls its AC output by use of a Forward Regulating Integrated Converter-Inverter. This component converts low voltage (typically 12-15 Volts) DC inputs to either 110 VAC/60Hz or 230 VAC/50Hz. The inputs to the FPGA 200 are "F clock" 201 which is a clock function controlling Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), Sine Wave Timing 202 which controls the AC output frequency, and Control 203 which is a command line from the Processor 101 which controls the FPGA 200 state. AC Monitor 121 returns a sample data of the AC output and regulates the AC output of the Forward Regulating Integrated

Converter-Inverter by communicating voltage level to the FPGA which then adjusts the drive signals to the two Signal Drivers 205 to maintain a constant input voltage. The integrated converter/inverter 206 produces a sine wave output of either 110 or 230 VAC as required. Filters 207 remove unintended artifacts from the output sine wave signal. The whole operates under the control of an FPGA processor 200. Refer to Fig. 3 to see the FPG A logic architecture.

[0033] Fig 3 illustrates how the FPGA 200 logic architecture operates. The Control 203 function controls generation of the AC sine wave with reference to the Fclock 201 timing reference. The cycle counter 303 creates and forwards the sine wave reference point (point on the sine wave) to the Sine Look Up table 304 and outputs a PWM sample. The PWM sample is adjusted in amplitude based on the output of the Amplitude Adjust module 307 which has been set by reference to the Voltage Sample Signal 310 and forwarded by Conimumcations Interface 306. The Multiplier 305 adjusts the PWM sample in amplitude to meet AC load power requirements which are signaled by the Voltage Sample Signal 310, This adjusted sample is then routed to a PWM counter 308 for synchronization and is delivered to the Signal Drive logic 309 which directly controls the Signal Drivers 205 which are typically controlling fast switching transistors which then create the required sine wave with the correct power level amplitude to meet load requirements.

[0034] Fig. 4 illustrates that devices ca be mounted either in single 40 l and multiple instances 402 up to as many as 8 devices. This illustrative embodiment illustrates a multiplicity of 4 devices are housed in a single enclosure which is not meant to imply a restriction of less than 8 devices. The illustrative embodiment shows the flexibility of multiple instances afforded by the devices networking capability described in Fig. 5 supports multiple AC and DC power output configurations and which is an advancement of the current art where portable renewable energy power converter and storage supply system configurations are designed for single specific power output levels rather than in modular arrays.

[0035] Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram view of the network connection logical architecture. Figure 5 shows that "N" Device 100 instances may be connected up to a maximum of 8 instances. There are two different types of networks in this example embodiment. The Power Network 500 conveys AC power outputs from each device across a common connection network with network nodes 501-508. Relays 120 control access to the Power Network 500. The Relays 120 operate under the control of Processor 101. The exemplary embodiment shows that either 10 VAC/60Hz 531 or 230 VAC/50Hz 532 power can be generated and networked. The Data Network 550 supports communication between the computer Processor 101 mounted on each networked Device 100 and, like the Power Network 500, has Data Network Nodes available 552- 559. The Data Network is used to transmit AC Synch signal 521, Batter}' Use 522, Charging 523, Wind Turbine 524 and PV (Photovoltaic) Power data 525, Faults 526, and AC Power output level 527. This data set permits the Device 100 group to form a cooperative network for both AC power output as well as for fine control over each device as may be necessary based on parametric and system data. The AC Synch 521 signal is used to synchronize AC sine wave outputs. The AC Synch signal is an input for start of the sine wave for each networked Device 100. Faults 526 are used to determine the health of each participating Device 100 for network operation. For example, when a Device 100 faults, it may be removed. Faults will be detected at the Device 100 level and that fault information will be placed on the Data Network 550 where the "controlling network Device 100" will command the fault-reporting Device 100 to disconnect from the Power Network 500 if it has not done so autonomously, which would be normal. Also, devices may be removed from power generation operations if the specific Device 100 has a lower than target state battery profile to allow for recharging operations. A Device 100 will be removed from the AC Power Network 500 if the Processor 101 for that Device has a communication error. If a Device 100 has to be removed, the remaining units can reform into smaller networks. For example, if there are 8 Device 100 instances on the network and Device 5 faults, the instances 1 through 4 can form a 4-instance network and instances 6, 7, and 8 can form a 3 -instance network. Those knowledgeable in the art will recognize that the current CAN Bus technology does not normally support this graceful degradation and an innovation in CAN Bus termination art is required for this type of graceful degradation to occur. See Figure 0 for CAN Bus termination.

[0036] Fig. 6 illustrates the architecture for integration of sensors throughout the device to collect parametric and system data for remote monitoring and control of the Device 100. Under the control of Processor 101, the innovation deploys a number of embedded sensors to detect measure and report PV 604 parameters such as energy produced, device faults, and device status information. Battery sensor 606 reports state of charge, current in and out, number of cycles, and faults. Multiple Current sensors 605 report current data at power output points as well as at protection points on the Device 00. The AC Monitor sensor 607 reports AC power

consumption. The Tamper 610 sensor reports indications of unauthorized opening of the enclosure housing the Device 100. The TEMP sensor 608 reports Device 100 temperature of critical components such as fast switching components and the Processor 101. Voltage sensors 61 1 report on Device 100 voltage at critical circuit points. The Device 100 integrates these sensors with a computer processor 101 using system Firmware 602. The Firmware 602 polls the sensors, writes the reported data to memory and formats the data for transmission to a remote monitoring and control point. Under the control of the Processor 10 and Firmware 602, a telecommunications transceiver Modem 1 15 connects the device to an internet Application 603 using in the illustrative embodiment a GSM^ transmission service. Application 603 aggregates, analyzes, and acts upon the parametric and system data.

[0037] Fig. 7 shows one embodiment showing a scalable power conversion and supply system integrated with a condenser to produce a treated water supply. A Condenser Pump 700 is integrated with at least one device 100 under the control of a computer Processor 101 in order to utilize renewable energy harvested from a renewable energy device such as, but not limited to, a wind turbine 103 and or a PV 104 panel. The device uses a MPPT 105 charge controller to harvest energy from the renewable energy device and charge a Battery 102. When the Battery 102 is fully charged, the excess energy is used to power an electrically powered Condenser Pump 700 which condenses water from the air which enters the Condenser Pump 700 at the illustrated air intake. The example embodiment demonstrates how water produced by the condenser is subsequently pumped and processed through sequential purification devices such as a

Purification UV 701 (UltraViolet) device and a Purification Charcoal 702 device so that the final result is potable water collected in Tank 703. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are other ways to purify the condensed water and this embodiment is not intended to limit the various purification methods that could be utilized. This embodiment does not illustrate that sensors may be placed either within or at the end of the purification chain to measure water quality, but such sensors are considered discretionary and the inclusion or exclusion of such sensors does not impact the overall claim. If such sensors are included in an additional embodiment, they would be connected to the Device 100 and its Processor 101 by data and power lines so that the sensor would be controlled and activated by Processor 101 control.

[00381 FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the method whereby a group of Devices 100 may be placed in residences, schools, medical facilities, government facilities and other similar Single User 801 locations in order to determine the business case for locating a grid extension to an off- grid area. When these off-grid locations are aggregated in an area within proximity to high voltage electrical grid transmissions lines 803 but are not connected to the electrical grid, this is called "under the grid" meaning that the collective locations do not benefit from their proximity to the electrical grid by having access to the grid. This access is normally obtained through the implementation of a transformer substation 804 that would convert the high voltage power on the Grid Transmission Lines 803 to "household" voltage levels of 230 VAC/50 Hz or 1 10

VAC/όΟΗζ. The collective deployment of devices to provide power in each location is called a User Constellation 802. The User Constellation 802 transmits data as previously described in Figure 6. In the example embodiment, system and parametric data in GSM Message 806 is transmitted by a telecommunications device embedded in Device 100 to the telecommunications network 805 and from there to an IP Address 807, Located at the IP Address 807 is an

Application 603 that aggregates the system and parametric data and produces Analytical Product 808. This Analytical Product 808 is then used by electrical grid operator/utilities to estimate the level of Electrical Demand 809 in the aggregated locations covered by the Constellation 802. This estimate of the level of Electrical Demand 809 becomes Decision Data 810 for the decision to install a transformer substation via Grid Extension 81 1 in the "under the grid" area covered by the Constellation 802. This embodiment does not exclude the similar embodiment where the constellation is located off-grid and not in proximity to transmission lines. In this case, the business case must also account for the Grid Extension 811 to the Constellation 802 location as well as the deployment of a transformer Substation 801, however the same method is used to create the same Decision Data SlOoutput.

[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates the method by which the Portable Renewable Energy Power Converter and Storage Supply System prevents a reverse polarity connection by the battery from causing damage to the device. Those knowledgeable in the art will recognize that reverse polarity protections are nonexistent in portable solar renewable energy power systems due to their technical difficulty. In the illustrative embodiment, a circuit diagram is described where the battery is connected to the system only after the connection passes certain logic checks which determine the polarity of the connection. This method is superior to the existing practice of presenting placards warning users that a reverse polarity connection will damage or destroy the unit. This method is also superior to the use of special "one way" type connectors which can be defeated by users. In the illustrative example, the battery is connected normally to the reverse polarity circuit. As current flows, the Bootstrap Circuit 118 draws a few milliamps of DC current through the closed Transistor 902 then through a polarity sensitive Diode 903, a Fuse 904, and then finally to the Bootstrap Circuit 118. The Bootstrap Circuit 118 has embedded logic that checks polarity and then regulates current and voltage to the Processor 101. The Processor is now powered up and commands the Relay 905 to close the Switch 906 which flows current through Diode 908 and then through a Processor controlled Transistor 907 and then to the MPPT Charge Controller 105 where the Battery 102 current is now fully available. At the same time, the Processor 101 opens Transistor 902 turning off the Bootstrap 118. If the polarity is reversed, the diode prevents current from flowing to the Bootstrap 1 18 and the Bootstrap 118 does not regulate the current forward to the Processor. If the Diode 903 on the Bootstrap circuit is defeated or faulty, the Fuse 904 will prevent excess current from flowing to the Bootstrap. In any case, the Bootstrap 1 18 will not regulate current and voltage forward to the Processor 101 and the sequence of events for connection of full battery power to the circuit is prevented as the Processor will not power up and command Relay 905 to close switch 906, which is the essential step in connecting full Battery 102 power to the MPPT Charge Controller which in turn initiates main power-up of the device. This method prevents a Portable Renewable Energy Power Converter and Storage Supply System from having a reverse polarity connection from the battery and prevents the typical resulting damage to the device. [0040] FIG. 0 illustrates the method by which the CAN Bus is used for creating a Portable Renewable Energy Power Converter and Storage Supply System data network. Those knowledgeable in the art will understand that CAN Bus is typically a defined network with a known number of connected devices that are not dynamically connected to or removed from the resulting network. In the use of CAN Bus outside of the Portable Renewable Energy Power Converter and Storage Supply System embodiment, CAN Bus knows a priori the number of units on the bus and the location of the terminating network node. The illustrative embodiment shows how the Portable Renewable Energy Power Converter and Storage Supply System data network uses an innovative AC Power/CAN Bus Connector Cable 1001 that carries both CAN Bus data lines and AC power lines to a single connection point. The innovative method described herein uses an electrical connection in the plug between dedicated CAN Bus lines internal to the AC Power/CAN Bus Connector Cable 1001 that creates a logic signal that is directly connected to the Processor 101. If the plug is connected, then the electrical connection creates a "low" electrical logic signal that is read by the Processor 101. The Processor 101 understands the "low" signal to indicate that a CAN Bus connection is present and the specific Device 100 is connected on that connector point. Each Device 100 has two connection points which are defined as an "upstream" side and a "downstream" side. This designation of "upstream" means that this direction is closer to the controlling Device 100 which will be in the number 1 position on the CAN Bus network. Conversely, the "downstream" side connector is towards the end of the CAN Bus where there will be a terminating unit. In the illustrative embodiment, the right-hand Device 100 is the downstream unit and shows an Open Connector 1005. In this case, the signal on the line back to the processor will be "High" and the processor will read this signal to indicate that its downstream side connector is open. A "High" signal on the downstream side indicates that the right-hand Device 100 in the illustrative embodiment is the end of the CAN Bus. The Processor 101 then by virtue of embedded firmware understands that the CAN Bus is terminated at this point, and that status is communicated to the other network-connected devices. The Truth Table in Figure 10 for CAN Bus Termination is an illustrative example of how system logic converts the high and low signals that result from the various possible connection possibilities to determine the necessary positions of devices along the CAN Bus network. Using the Truth Table, any Processor 101 in any Device 100 participating in a CAN Bus network can determine if it is the controlling Processor/Device, a middle network Processor/Device, or a terminating Processor/Device. Additionally, this innovative method allows for dynamic connection of units to and from the network while network and AC Power generation operations are active.

[0041] Combinations of various significant features:

1. A device is disclosed for converting Direct Current (DC) power from renewable energy DC sources such as photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, wind turbines, and from storage devices such as batteries to multiple types of single-phase Alternating Current (AC) power and multiple types of DC power to supply electrical power for off-grid applications. The functions of charge control, power conversion, reverse polarity protection, battery detection, user interface and networking operations are integrated into a single electronic circuit operated by a computer with a programmable memory. In some embodiments, the device may be connected to at least one other device and the AC power output thereby increased as the AC output from each individual device is placed on a common power network and a common data network accessible to each individual device. In some embodiments, at least one device and as many as eight devices may be placed in an enclosure. The device is capable of producing either 110 Volt AC with a frequency of 60 Hertz (Hz) or 230 Volt AC with a frequency of 50 Hz through the use of an integrated "Forward Regulating Integrated Converter-Inverter". The device will produce 12 Volt DC and 5 Volt DC power outputs at the same time and provide that power to two 12 VDC output ports and two USB ports.

2. A method whereby the device as described in J uses a distributed set of sensors

throughout the device to collect parametric and system data such as energy produced, energy consumed, energy stored, device faults, device alerts, and device status information.

3. A method whereby the device as described in 1 and 2 communicates data through a telecommunications transceiver to an internet application where the collected parametric and system data is stored and manipulated.

4. A method where the device as described in 1 is integrated with a condenser and

purification devices to produce treated water. A method whereby the device as described in 1 detects the presence or absence of a connected batter}'.

A method whereby the device as descri bed in 1 detects the presence of reverse polarity battery connection and protects the circuit from damage that would ordinarily be effected by a reverse polarity batter}' connection.

A method including a device from 1 whereby a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique and function is used to control the DC current input received from the PV solar modules.

A method including a device from 7 whereby the MPPT technique and function is capable of accepting input voltages of at least 12 volts and a maximum of 60 volts.

A method including a device from 1 whereby the device may be placed in an enclosure and then may be connected to at least one other device which may also have been placed in a separate enclosure and the AC power output thereby increased as the AC output from each individual device is placed on a common power network accessible to each individual device.

A method of 9 whereby a high-speed data network such as, but not limited to, a

Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is used to connect each device of 1 to the common data network of connected devices.

A method of whereby the last device in a high-speed data network is terminated so that a CAN bus network may be used.

A method of 9 whereby devices using the termination method of 11 may be dynamically connected and disconnected from the power and data network without interrupting power and data network operations.

A method of 9 whereby each AC power converter is synchronized with every AC power converter on the common data and common power network.

A method of 9 whereby each AC power converter is autonomously capable of detecting conditions necessitating disconnecting from the common power network.

A method of 9 whereby multiple devices of 1 are placed in a single enclosure to provide a power conversion and supply apparatus of AC power equal to the summed power of the individual device's AC power output. 16. A method whereby the user interface transmits status and warning messages in any language through the use of a speaker so that the aural messages are audible and comprehendible to the normal human being.

17. A method whereby an anti -tamper switch in an enclosure may be connected to the

computer. The computer then, depending on the programmed instructions residing in its memory, may disable the device if the anti-tamper switch is activated indicating that the enclosure has been opened in an unauthorized manner.

18. A method whereby the MPPT controls the recharging of the battery.

19. A method whereby the device may continue to operate without a connected battery

source of DC power. If the PV solar modules generate enough DC current and voltage, the device will continue to produce AC power and DC power as described in 1.

20. A method whereby the user interface trains the user on the device's indications and

warnings so that the user may be able to safely and effectively operate the device even if the user is of low literacy or illiterate. The user interface contains a "TRAINING" button that, when depressed, begins to cycle through the devices indications and warnings while conducting a user-language aural description of these functions. In this manner, the user is taught normal operating techniques as well as responses for abnormal conditions.

21. A method whereby the device optimizes batter}' charging and discharging rates while connected to a common data and a common power network of other devices.

Although the embodiments and advantages thereof have been descri bed in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the intended and apparent spirit and scope.