{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-11301790","patent":{"patent_number":"US-11301790","title":"Cost-optimization device for utility-scale photovoltaic power plants","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2020-04-08T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2022-04-12T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G06Q","G06Q","G06Q","G06Q"],"num_claims":2,"abstract":"This invention is embodied in a cost-optimization device for the layout and construction of a utility-scale photovoltaic (“PV”) power plant. The optimization device employs a set of algorithms designed to find the most cost-effective solution under given conditions. The algorithms are written in computer machine readable code and are highly customizable for the specific tracker equipment requirements and owner/builder/maintainer specifications or preferences.The preferred optimization device comprises three principal stages (or “units”) of computing: (1) an objective-state unit, (2) an optimum-feasible unit, and (3) a grading unit. In the first stage, the objective-state unit cost-optimizes site grading by orienting a ruling line between a maximum and a minimum pile reveal length for each tracker in the project (the objective-state solution”). When compared to the existing site topography, the ruling line indicates cost-optimized cut and fill locations.In the second stage, the optimum-feasible unit modifies the objective-state solution to satisfy given geometric constraints of the project. More specifically, the optimum-feasible unit employs a project-wide mesh (“system mesh”) to check whether the objective-state solution complies with the project's geometric restrictions. If not, the optimum-feasible unit applies a marching algorithm to incrementally adjust each ruling line until it finds a solution that minimizes site grading while complying with the project's geometric restrictions (the “optimum-feasible solution”).In the third stage, the grading unit modifies the optimum-feasible solution to satisfy non-geometric constraints of the project (the “final-state solution”)."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Cost-optimization device for utility-scale photovoltaic power plants","description":"This invention is embodied in a cost-optimization device for the layout and construction of a utility-scale photovoltaic (“PV”) power plant. The optimization device employs a set of algorithms designe","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-11301790","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-11301790","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Cost-optimization device for utility-scale photovoltaic power plants\" (US-11301790). https://patentable.app/patents/US-11301790","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-11301790","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-11301790","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-31T08:34:17.594Z"}