Photovoltaic power generation site with solar modules

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a solar module with which it is possible to avoid significant decreases in power generation efficiency by cutting off only a cell group where a failure occurred in the module. [Solution] A solar module in which a plurality of solar cell groups (2) comprising a plurality of solar cells (1) and connected via parallel-connected lines (6) in the module are aligned, wherein the solar cell groups (2) are each provided with a cell group controller (5) that monitors the power generation state of the solar cells (1) in the solar cell group (2) and that has a switch for cutting off the solar cell group (2) from the parallel-connected lines (6) in the module upon detection of the power generation amount falling below a preset value.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to solar power generation, and in particular to a solar module that can effectively utilize the terrain in the construction of a large-scale power generation site also known as a mega solar power generation site. Solar power generation site with Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] As important means of decarbonization using renewable energy, various methods have been proposed, some of which have been put into practical use as commercial facilities. Among these, photovoltaic power generation (hereinafter also referred to as solar power generation), which uses sunlight as an energy source, and wind power generation (wind power generation), which uses wind energy, are the most promising.

[0003] Large-scale solar power plants exceeding 1000kW are also called mega solar plants, and new construction is becoming more and more popular along with wind power generation. In the following, solar power generation is referred to as PV (Photo-Voltaic), the unit solar panel (element) used for it is referred to as a PV cell (solar cell, or simply as a cell), one or more cells (for example, four cells) assembled together is referred to as a solar cell group (or simply as a cell group), multiple solar cell groups (for example, ten or more cells fixed to a frame and assembled as a construction standard) are referred to as a solar module (or simply as a module), and multiple modules arranged and installed in the area of ​​a power generation site are referred to as a solar array.

[0004] The output of a PV cell changes depending on the amount of light it receives. In particular, when the amount of light is low, such as at sunrise and sunset, the output is small and the internal impedance is high. If a load is connected when the internal impedance is high, the voltage drops and the cell cannot function properly as a power source, resulting in an unstable power source. Control is required to ensure stable operation even when the PV panel is in a low light state. This type of control is called optimization, and the optimization means (circuit) is called an optimizer.

[0005] Examples of related prior art of this type include Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, and Patent Document 4. Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3 disclose prior art related to optimization means, and Patent Document 4 discloses the relationship between a solar panel and the amount of irradiated light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-101581 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-170836 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2013-541930 A [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-018046 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Not limited to power generation sites called mega solar power plants, but also to power plants of a certain scale Solar Power generation sites are often located in mountainous areas, fallow fields, and other uncultivated land, and are developed in areas with undulating terrain and shade from trees and other objects. In particular, when installing in mountainous areas, the terrain is often one where the sunlight irradiation conditions are not uniform, or the surrounding area is often surrounded by trees, and it is rare for the surrounding area to be flat and completely unobstructed by anything that blocks sunlight. In addition, when installing multiple solar modules on the roofs of large factories and facilities, the same environmental conditions as above must be taken into consideration.

[0008] Solar The top view shape of the power generation site area (planar shape of the installation surface of the solar modules) is often irregular. It is necessary to construct a solar power generation site that can efficiently utilize the terrain by arranging as many solar modules as possible on such irregular terrain, or on terrain or installation surfaces (roofs, walls, etc.) that have undulations, steps, or slopes.

[0009] Current Solar At power generation sites, especially mega solar power plants, a set number of modules are assembled into a single unit, called a "string," which is installed on a rack to construct the site. A string is a construction unit consisting of 10 to 20 modules fixed together.

[0010] The modules that make up the string are connected in series to supply the generated power to the module connection lines, so if a malfunction occurs in any one of the modules in the string, the generated power of the entire string cannot be used.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a solar module that allows the power generated by normal modules in a string to be used even if a module in the string becomes defective. Solar power generation site with The purpose of this invention is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a solar module (7) in which a plurality of solar cell groups (2) are arranged, each group being made up of a plurality of solar cells and connected via a parallel connection line within the module. Solar power generation site with The present invention is characterized by having the following configuration: In the following, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the configuration in the embodiments described later are used.

[0013] (1) Each of the solar cell groups (2) is characterized by comprising a cell group controller (5) having a switch that monitors the power generation state of the solar cells in the solar cell group and disconnects the cell group from the intra-module parallel connection line (6) when it detects that the amount of power generation has fallen below a predetermined set value. "Disconnect" here means that the power generation system to which the present invention is applied ignores or leaves the cell group alone, and does not mean that it actively cuts off the electricity.

[0014] Therefore, the above-mentioned "switch" does not necessarily have to be a physical cutoff means, but may be a means having a function of preventing the inflow of generated power from other cell groups or other solar modules to the defective cell group. When the problem in the disconnected cell group is resolved or alleviated so that the amount of power generated exceeds a predetermined value, the generated power is output to the parallel connection line (6) within the solar module through the switch.

[0015] (2) Each of the solar modules (7) is characterized by comprising an optimizer (4) equipped with a boost circuit that boosts the generated voltage input from the solar cell group (2) via the intra-module parallel connection wire (6) and outputs it to the inter-module parallel connection wire (8).

[0016] (3) The optimizer (4) is characterized by comprising a cell group controller (5) that monitors the power generation state of the solar module (7) and has a switch that disconnects the output of the intra-module parallel connection line (6) from the inter-module parallel connection line (8) when it detects that the amount of power generation has fallen below a predetermined set value.

[0017] (4) The solar module (7) includes a GPS antenna (21), a direct solar radiation sensor (22) which is an illuminance sensor, a calendar data table (23), a latitude table (24), a direction sensor (25), a tilt sensor (26), as well as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a wind direction / force sensor, and an air pressure sensor. sensor , vibration sensors, and the cell group controller (5) controls the various sensors - The power generation site status is monitored based on the acquired data, and control information is transmitted and received between the solar module parallel connection line (8) and a monitoring center via a relay terminal.

[0018] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configurations and the configurations of the embodiments described below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, Solar By monitoring the power generation site and disconnecting any cell groups determined to be defective from the modules, and disconnecting modules from the module set, it is possible to minimize the reduction in power generation capacity.

[0020] In addition, by linking the addresses of modules installed in the field with satellite images or drone images and / or drawings, it is possible to identify modules on a monitor at a monitoring site by detecting changes in module temperature, for example, which enables rapid maintenance.

[0021] The terminal at the monitoring site has Solar By displaying the operating status of all modules at a power generation site in an appropriate format, Solar The system is equipped with a program that displays on a monitor the operation history, current status, and forecast of the power generation amount of each module at the power generation site. Solar Effective management of the power generation site can be visually recognized and rapid and appropriate action can be taken, for example, by displaying a red or blinking light as a warning to a specific module that is generating less power. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a solar module and a management system that constitute a solar power generation site according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the topography of a solar power generation site on which solar modules according to the present invention are installed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which solar modules are installed using a conventional method on the example topography of the solar power generation site shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a solar module according to the present invention. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a solar cell group that constitutes the solar module shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the difference in the separation method in the event of a malfunction within a solar module that constitutes a solar array, in comparison between the present invention and the prior art. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the difference in the separation method when the amount of sunlight irradiation of a solar module constituting a solar array decreases, in comparison with the conventional technology and the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a main portion illustrating one example of mounting an optimizer in a solar module according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a rear view of a main portion illustrating another example of mounting an optimizer in a solar module according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of sunlight irradiation onto a solar module. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the daily output change of a solar module in comparison with the present invention and the prior art. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration around an optimizer of a solar power generation site having a solar module according to the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall image of an example of a monitoring system for a solar power generation site according to the present invention; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image of a surveillance monitor terminal in an example of a surveillance system for a solar power generation site according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. Solar This is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the solar modules and management system that make up the power generation site. SolarThis is an explanatory diagram of the types of solar modules used in the construction of the power generation site and their monitoring systems. A solar power generation site is simply a power generation site, Solar modules are sometimes referred to simply as modules, solar cells as simply cells, and solar module sets as module sets, with the word "solar" sometimes omitted. Also, "solar", "sun" and "light" are sometimes used interchangeably.

[0025] Figure 1 shows three types of solar modules7 -1 , 7 -S , 7 n Only 7 are shown. n is 7 -2 〜7 -(S-1) In this embodiment, S is the number of modules in the standard construction and is 10, and n is 2 to 9, but n can also be S+1, S+2, . . .

[0026] In the figure, reference numeral 7 denotes a single solar module (a single module), 4 denotes an optimizer, 6 denotes a parallel connection line within the module (a communication line for transmitting and communicating the module's generated power output), and 8 denotes a parallel connection line between modules (a communication line for transmitting and communicating the generated power output of multiple modules). The monitor, measurement and control signals for each module sent from the optimizer 4 are multiplexed as a multiplexed signal onto the power line via a PLC line (power line carrier line) that uses the inter-module parallel connection lines 8, and are output together with the power. The generated power output lines 8 of the multiple modules are concentrated in a junction box 39, and the power is output to the system line and the signal is output to the relay terminal 15 by a device that separates power and signals installed in the junction box 39.

[0027] Reference numeral 9 denotes a signal path for transmitting monitoring, measurement, and control signals from each module to a relay terminal 15 at the power generation site, which is PLC data multiplexed on the inter-module parallel connection line 8, and is shown as a transmission path in the figure. In this embodiment, communication between the solar cell group or solar module and the relay terminal (site monitoring terminal) 15 at the power generation site and the monitoring site is transmitted via a power line.

[0028] The power generation site server 16 transmits the data to the remote terminal 17 via a public network such as the Internet 37, and the data is processed by various data processing programs installed in the remote terminal. The processed results are displayed on the monitor 18. Furthermore, the remote terminal 17 is configured to be able to communicate with the power conditioner 14 via the relay terminal 15.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a plan view (two-dimensional shape viewed from above) for explaining an example of a field (topography such as land on which a rack is installed) of a power generation site where a solar module according to the present invention is installed. Fig. 3 shows a state where a solar module is installed by a conventional method on the example field topography of the power generation site shown in Fig. 2. Reference numeral 35 in Fig. 2 indicates the field of the power generation site. This field 35 has an irregular shape when viewed from above, and is surrounded by obstructions 38, which are represented by trees.

[0030] In this embodiment, the maximum number of standard module sets 7-n are installed in an area with good sunlight irradiation conditions near the center of the field 35. When a so-called "string" consisting of a conventional set number of modules (here, 10 modules as in FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 3 is used for installation, the result is as shown by the hatched area in FIG. 3. A "string" is conceptually similar to the module set of this embodiment, but has a different function. The area without hatched areas indicates a space where a "string" can be installed.

[0031] In addition, in part of Figure 3, there is a space for one string but no string is installed (part without diagonal lines), which indicates a space (symbol 70) where the amount of power generation is suppressed due to the presence of an obstruction 38, etc., and where installing a string would not contribute much to the overall power generation efficiency. In addition, the number of modules required to generate power is determined in a string configuration, and this includes areas where there is not enough space to install that number of modules. In other words, in conventional strings, if the power generation of even one of the modules that make up the string falls below a certain threshold, the entire string is disconnected. As a result, in Figure 3, a total of 260 modules are installed in 26 strings.

[0032] In contrast, in FIG. 2, each module 7 constituting the module set according to the present embodiment can be separated from the module, and as will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, each cell group 2 constituting the module 7 can be separated from the module. For example, the standard module set 7 can be also installed in the area (seven places) indicated by the space 70 in FIG. n As described above, in this embodiment, a cell group whose power generation amount has decreased due to a malfunction or an external or internal factor is ignored or left as it is, and does not necessarily mean that it is electrically disconnected.

[0033] And, in addition, standard module set 7 n In order to install the modules in a small space, one of the 1 module sets 7-1 to 9 module sets 7-9 is used according to the size of the space. The required number of these standard module sets and module sets smaller than the standard module sets are prepared in advance based on the construction drawings of the power generation site. Furthermore, the installation procedures for the module sets smaller than the standard module sets are also loaded as construction procedures into the transport means and installation crane as their control programs.

[0034] The number of modules installed in the field of the power generation site according to this embodiment shown in Figure 2 is 477. In contrast, in the power generation site in Figure 3 where the strings of the prior art are configured with a uniform number of modules, the number of modules is 260, as described above. In a simple comparison of these, the number of modules in this embodiment is 1.83 times the number of modules in the conventional method. In other words, the construction method according to this embodiment makes it possible to install nearly twice as many modules as in the conventional method. This means that a significant amount of power generation can be obtained in a field of a fixed area.

[0035] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of an embodiment of a solar module according to the present invention, in which solar cells are grouped into units of four cells, and a total of 18 groups of 6 rows and 3 columns are made into one module 7. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the cell groups that make up the module, in which each cell group 2 is independent of the others and connected to intra-module parallel connection lines 6 via a cell group controller 5. The intra-module parallel connection lines 6 of each column are then concentrated in an optimizer 4, and the optimizer 4 is connected in parallel to inter-module parallel connection lines 8.

[0036] The cell group controller 5, which also has a connection / disconnection function, monitors the power generation state of the cells 1 in the group, and when it detects that the amount of power generation has fallen below a set threshold (predetermined) due to, for example, physical destruction or a decrease in the amount of solar radiation caused by solar obstructions 13 such as dust, it disconnects (off: ignores or leaves as is) the group from the intra-module parallel connection line 6. Note that when the obstruction such as dust is removed and the amount of solar radiation recovers and exceeds the above threshold, it reconnects the cell group to the intra-module parallel connection line 6 (on: contributes to power generation).

[0037] In addition, when the optimizer 4 provided in the module 7 detects that the total power generation amount of the module 7 falls below a threshold value due to, for example, the destruction of multiple cell groups 2 or an obstruction, the optimizer 4 disconnects the module 7 itself from the inter-module parallel connection line 8. vinegar. The fact that the module has been disconnected is sent, together with the GPS position data, as one of the monitoring, measurement and control signals 9 to the relay terminal (site monitoring terminal) 15, and the data is sent to the server 6 and then forwarded to the remote terminal 17.

[0038] The remote terminal 17 processes the data together with image data from a data center (see reference numeral 42 in FIG. 13) described later, and displays on the monitor 18 an image or the like indicating the identification of the malfunctioning module.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the difference between the present invention and the prior art in the disconnection method when a failure occurs in a solar module that constitutes a solar array. Fig. 6(a) shows a module set of this embodiment. When a failure occurs in a specific module 7X+1, only that module 7X+1 is disconnected (ignored or left as is) from the intra-module parallel connection line 6, and the normal modules 7X, 7X+2, ..., 7X+n on both sides continue to generate power. In other words, in this embodiment, the power generation amount only decreases in the module where the failure occurred. If module 7X+1 generates power that exceeds the threshold even slightly, the generated power is effectively utilized.

[0040] In contrast, in the conventional string shown in Fig. 6(b), all of the modules constituting the string are connected in series to the intra-module serial connection lines 61. Therefore, if a malfunction occurs in a specific module 7X+1, not only that module 7X+1 but also the modules 7X, 7X+2, ..., 7X+n on both sides of it will all be (electrically) disconnected. In other words, if even one module malfunctions, power generation will be lost from the entire string to which that module belongs.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the difference in the disconnection method when the amount of sunlight irradiation of the solar modules constituting the solar array decreases, by comparing the conventional technology with the present invention. Fig. 7(a) shows a module set of this embodiment, and when multiple modules 7X are in the shadow of a shielding object 38 and the amount of power generation falls below a predetermined threshold, the multiple modules 7X are disconnected (ignored or left alone) from the intra-module parallel connection line 6. This allows modules 7X+1, 7X+2, ... 7X+n to continue generating power. In other words, in this embodiment, power generation can be continued by modules other than the module whose amount of power generation falls below the predetermined threshold.

[0042] 7(b), all of the constituent modules are connected in series to the intra-module series connection lines 61, so even if even one of the modules in the string is in the shadow of a shielding object 38 and the amount of power generated falls below a predetermined threshold, the entire string is disconnected from the intra-module series connection lines 61. In other words, if the amount of power generated by even one of the modules constituting a string decreases, power generation from the entire string to which that module belongs is lost.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a rear view of a main part for explaining an example of a sensor interface in a solar module according to the present invention. In the module 7 according to this embodiment, a plurality of cells are fixed together by a frame 71. The optimizer 4 is attached to a part of the rear surface of the frame 71. In addition, a sensor group 20 is installed at an appropriate place on the frame 71 of the module. The sensor group includes a tilt sensor, a direction sensor, a solar radiation sensor (illuminance sensor), a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, an air pressure sensor, and a vibration sensor. A GPS is also a member of the sensor group. The output data of each sensor is multiplexed by the optimizer 4, superimposed on the inter-module connection line 8, and sent to the connection box 39, and transferred to the relay terminal 15 (FIG. 1).

[0044] Optimizer 4 is your own cell The low-voltage power (e.g., 40 V) taken in from the intra-module parallel connection line 6 (see Figure 4, etc., described above) is boosted to a high voltage (800 V in this case) for conversion processing in the power conditioner 14 (see Figure 1) and sent to the inter-module parallel connection line 8.

[0045] 9 is a rear view of the main part for explaining another example of the optimizer in the solar module according to the present invention. In this configuration example, the terminal box 19 is housed in the housing of the optimizer 4, simplifying the rear structure of the module frame 71. Note that the sensor group 20 can also be housed in part or in whole in the housing of the optimizer 4. This further simplifies the structure of the module and contributes to easier installation.

[0046] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of sunlight irradiation on a solar module, and is a schematic diagram for explaining the change in the amount of direct sunlight and the influence of obstructions on a solar array and its installation state. In FIG. 10, a solar array 10 is installed on a mounting 36 installed in a field 35 of a power generation site. In FIG. 10, the solar array 10 is basically installed in a different direction from the ground surface. The solar array 10 and the individual solar module sets (7 -1 , 7 -n , 7 -S ) may have a difference in the surface relative to the sun. The data (location data) L of the installation location can be easily determined by GPS. The position of each solar array 10 and each module 7 can also be determined.

[0047] In addition, the amount of sunlight received may be affected by obstructions 12 and dust. -1 , 7 -n , 7 -S By randomly setting the incidence angle φ for each module to either north, south, east or west, or to multiple directions, it is possible to smooth out the change in the amount of sunlight that affects the amount of power generation caused by the movement of the sun. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the reflected light from the module from concentrating in a specific direction, which occurs when the inclination angle of the module is uniform.

[0048] Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining the daily output change of a solar module by comparing the present invention with the prior art. As described above, by keeping the generated voltage of the solar cell group 2 constant (here, for example, 40V), the output can be made to follow the sun's illuminance faster and more precisely, making it possible to obtain optimal and maximum output even in unstable weather. Then, by boosting each solar module to, for example, 800V and transmitting the power to the grid, it becomes possible to obtain optimal and maximum output.

[0049] By keeping the voltage constant, even when the photovoltaic power (PV) output of the solar module is low, such as in the mornings and evenings or on cloudy days, it is possible to finely control the power output at the rising and falling parts of the output characteristic curve, as shown by the curve in Figure 11, and losses at low output are reduced. For example, if sunrise is 6:00 and sunset is 18:00, the time during which power output can be extracted using the conventional method is 9 hours, as shown in the stepped pattern in the figure. In contrast, the solar module of this embodiment can extract power for 12 hours.

[0050] Fig. 12 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration around the optimizer of the solar module according to this embodiment. The configuration around the optimizer 4 in this embodiment is one example, and various modifications are possible as means for realizing the AI ​​function. In Fig. 12, the optimizer 4 has a GPS position data acquisition means 27 that calculates and acquires position data of the solar module based on radio waves received by a GPS antenna 21, a direct solar radiation sensor (so-called brightness sensor) 22, and a sunrise / sunset time acquisition means 28 that calculates and determines the sunrise / sunset times by referring to a calendar table 23.

[0051] It also has a sunlight incidence angle acquisition means 29 that calculates and acquires the incidence angle of sunlight based on the latitude data of the field stored in the latitude table 24, the calendar table 23, and the detection data of the tilt sensor 26, and an installation orientation / installation angle acquisition means 30 that calculates and acquires the installation orientation and installation angle of the solar module based on the data of the orientation sensor (compass) 25 and the detection data of the tilt sensor 26.

[0052] The optimizer 4 also has an AI function execution means 31. This AI function execution means 31 infers, judges, and learns environmental data surrounding the solar module, such as the duration of shadows caused by obstructions, trends in the amount of sunlight, and trends in weather conditions, from the results of calculations from the position data acquisition means 27, sunrise / sunset time acquisition means 28, sunlight incidence angle acquisition means 29, and installation orientation / installation angle acquisition means 30, as well as humidity, temperature, air pressure, and acceleration (vibration) sensors. This learning result is used to generate data for managing solar cell groups and solar modules, performing maintenance, and so on.

[0053] Moreover, the output of the AI ​​function executing means 31 is connected to the optimizer 4 and is used as a control signal for the isolation switch 5 of the solar module. The clock 34 supplies standard clock data at the power generation site to the microchip 3 equipped with the AI ​​function executing means 31. Note that instead of the AI ​​function executing means 31, a decision-making means (software, for example, RPA: Robotic Process Automation) that follows a preset procedure can be provided, and its output can be provided to the optimizer 4.

[0054] The optimizer 4 has a monitor 32 that monitors the operation of the AI ​​function execution means 31 or the judgment means. The monitor 32 is provided with a correction means 33 that corrects the judgment of the AI ​​function when it is not realistic or suspected to be not realistic from the perspective of natural human intelligence, or when it is judged that the judgment means is clearly erroneous. This allows the AI ​​to be constantly under human supervision, shortening the learning steps and improving the efficiency of learning. The same applies to the judgment means. The monitor 32 and correction means 33 can be placed in the remote terminal 17 shown in Figure 1. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0055] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overall image of an example of a power generation site monitoring system according to the present invention. The power generated by a solar array 10 installed in a field 35 of the power generation site is output to a grid from a power conditioner 14. Meanwhile, various data measured by sensors in the solar array 10 and signals for management and control are sent from the intra-module parallel connection line (6 in FIG. 1) and the inter-module parallel connection line 8 via a relay terminal to a server 16, and then transferred to a remote terminal 17.

[0056] The solar array 10 in the field 35 of this power generation site is photographed by an artificial satellite 40, and the photographed image of the solar array 10 is transferred to and stored in a data center 42 via a receiving station. It goes without saying that the solar array 10 may also be photographed by a drone 43 or other means.

[0057] The artificial satellites 40, drones 43, etc. take not only visible images (still images and videos), but also various images such as thermal images and spectroscopic data as necessary, and transfer these to and store them in the data center 42.

[0058] The remote terminal 17 analyzes various measured data and management signals from the server 16, and identifies the module 70 that has been separated due to a decrease in power generation capacity, using image data stored in the data center 42. The identified module 70 is displayed on the monitor 18 of the remote terminal 17. In this display, attention can be drawn by, for example, lighting / flashing red on the screen.

[0059] On the monitor 18 of the remote terminal 17, the power generation status of each solar module can be displayed on a time axis or in a daily report, monthly report or other format as a normal operating status.

[0060] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an image of a monitoring monitor terminal in an example of a power generation site monitoring system according to the present invention. In Fig. 14, monitor 18 is capable of displaying the above-mentioned specified solar module and information necessary for the operation of the power generation site, such as various measurement data. This embodiment enables efficient management of the power generation site under management in a remote location. Note that the transmission of various data measured by the sensor and signals for management and control is not limited to via PLC and communication lines, and other wired or wireless transmission means may also be used.

[0061] Thus, according to this embodiment, the power generation operating status of the solar power generation system and the individual solar modules that make it up, or individual solar cells, can be monitored remotely, defective solar modules can be identified in real time, and management work, including maintenance, can be simplified and management personnel can be made more efficient, allowing for significant reductions in operating costs for large-scale solar power generation sites. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Solar cell 2. Solar Cell Group 4. Optimizer 5. Cell group controller 6... Parallel connection line within the module (module generated power output carrier communication line) 61...Intra-module serial connection line 7. Solar module 7-1...1 module set 7-n···n module set 7-S···Standard module set 8. Connection wire between solar modules (power output wire) 9. Measurement, monitoring and control signals 10. Solar array 11...sun 12...shielding object 13. Garbage 14. Power conditioner 15. Relay terminal 16 Server 17 Remote terminal 18. Remote Monitor 19...Terminal box 20. Sensor group 21 GPS antenna 22. Direct solar radiation sensor 23. Calendar data table 24 Latitude Table 25. Orientation sensor 26 Tilt sensor 31 AI 32... monitors (16 server monitors) 33 Correction input means 34. Watch 35...Power generation site field 36... Mounting stand 37 Network (Internet, etc.) 38...shielding object 39... Junction box 40...Artificial satellite 44 Receiving station 42 Data Center 43. Drone 71...Frame

Claims

1. A photovoltaic power generation plant having a solar module in which a plurality of solar cell groups are arranged, the solar cell groups being each made up of a plurality of solar cells and connected via an intra-module parallel connection line, The solar module is equipped with a GPS antenna, a direct solar radiation sensor, a calendar data table, a latitude table, a direction sensor, a tilt sensor, and environmental sensors including a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a wind direction / wind force sensor, a pressure sensor, and a vibration sensor; Each of the solar cell groups includes a cell group controller having a switch that monitors the power generation state of the solar cells in the solar cell group and disconnects the cell group from the intra-module parallel connection line when it detects that the amount of power generation has fallen below a predetermined set value; A photovoltaic power generation plant having solar modules, characterized in that the cell group controller monitors the status of the power generation site based on data acquired by the various sensors, detects when the amount of power generation falls below a predetermined set value, and transmits and receives control information between a connection box that collects the parallel connection lines between the solar modules connecting the multiple arrayed solar modules and a remote terminal that monitors the power generation site, and a signal that monitors the power generation status of the solar cells in the solar cell group via the remote terminal provided between the connection box and the remote terminal.

2. 2. A photovoltaic power plant having solar modules according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the solar modules includes an optimizer having a boost circuit that boosts the generated voltage input from a solar cell group via an intra-module parallel connection line that connects the plurality of arranged solar modules and outputs the boosted voltage to an inter-solar module parallel connection line.

Images