Solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method

Abstract

To provide a solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method that enable stable inspection of the underside of solar power generation panels.SOLUTION: The solar power generation system inspection device is used to take a picture of the underside of solar panels, which is a side opposite to a side that receives sunlight. The solar power generation system inspection device includes a flying movement mechanism that flies above a walkway between the solar panels, a photographic device that photographs the underside of the panels, an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the direction of the photographic device, and a connecting part that extends downwards from the flying movement mechanism, connects the flying movement mechanism and the angle adjustment mechanism, and positions the photographic device at a height where it can photograph the underside of the panels.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a solar power generation system inspection device and an inspection method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to the intensification of natural disasters and concerns about the future shortage of electrical safety personnel, labor-saving and unmanned operation using an automatic inspection device or the like has been demanded for the operation and maintenance inspection of solar power generation systems.

[0003] Particularly in large-scale solar power plants with an output exceeding 1 MW, called megasolar, it is necessary to efficiently inspect solar power generation panels installed in a vast and different environment site. In addition, solar power generation panels may be installed in water such as a retention pond, mountainous areas, weedy areas, or snowy areas, and a robust inspection technology against the installation environment is required.

[0004] Conventionally, inspection devices and inspection methods for solar power generation panels using a flying mobile body such as a drone (Unmanned aerial vehicle: UAV) have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc.). However, these conventional methods are limited to the inspection of the soundness of the upper surface of the solar power generation panel, that is, the surface irradiated with sunlight, and no inspection method for the lower part of the solar power generation panel is shown.

[0005] Detecting abnormalities such as deterioration or burnout of the back panel on the underside of the solar power generation panel, deterioration or burnout of the junction box, rust on the mounting frame or loose fixing bolts, cable breaks, disconnected ground wires, and insect nests is crucial in the maintenance and inspection of solar power generation systems. If left unattended, it may lead to a decrease in power generation, a reduction in the overall lifespan of the system, and damage from natural disasters. Furthermore, with the potential for increased adoption of bifacial solar power generation panels in the future, the need for inspection of the underside of solar power generation panels is expected to increase even further. While inspection devices and methods for the underside of solar power generation panels have been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4), these methods utilize inspection systems that travel on the ground and have been limited to inspections of solar power generation panels in favorable installation environments.

[0006] Furthermore, if we were to use a UAV to photograph the underside of solar panels, it would be necessary to fly the UAV at a low altitude of approximately 1 meter or less, which would raise safety concerns such as issues with the UAV's flight stability and the possibility of collisions with the solar panels. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5197642 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6970317 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7118234 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-177417 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Maintenance and inspection of solar power generation panels involves many on-site visual inspection items, heavily relying on the senses and observational skills of the inspection workers. Large-scale systems, such as mega solar power plants, present a particular challenge in that maintenance and inspection require a significant amount of personnel and time.

[0009] Furthermore, in the case of solar power generation systems installed in mountainous areas, overgrown areas, or heavy snowfall regions, where access by inspection personnel is difficult, it is difficult to guarantee the overall integrity of the system. Moreover, situations may arise where inspection personnel cannot be secured due to infectious disease outbreaks, so technological development toward labor-saving and unmanned operation is underway.

[0010] To address these challenges, for example, when inspecting a mega solar power plant as a whole, methods have been proposed to efficiently detect anomalies in a short time using aerial photography with UAVs. However, most of these methods fail to address anomalies detected by observing from the ground side where the solar power generation panels are installed, which are crucial inspection items, and to analyze the locations of the anomalies based on the detection results.

[0011] Furthermore, observing from the ground where the solar power generation panels are installed presents challenges related to the installation environment, and attempting to observe using a UAV would necessitate low-altitude flight, raising safety concerns as mentioned earlier.

[0012] To solve these problems, a device and method are needed that allows a UAV to fly at a stable altitude and acquire information from the mounting surface side of the solar power generation panels. This will enable stable inspection of components other than the solar power generation panels, such as mounting frames, junction boxes, and cables, as well as the back side of the solar power generation panels, and will allow for the detection of abnormalities that affect the overall health of the system.

[0013] As described above, by targeting abnormalities in areas that could not be confirmed by conventional aerial photography using UAVs, it is desirable to expand the inspection items and scope, and by combining this with automated equipment, to improve inspection efficiency and achieve labor-saving or unmanned inspections. In addition, in the inspection of the underside of solar power generation panels using ground vehicles, it is desirable to resolve issues such as unstable shooting or inability to mount certain functions depending on the condition of the road surface.

[0014] The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method that enables stable inspection of the underside of solar power generation panels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The solar power generation system inspection device of the embodiment is a solar power generation system inspection device for photographing the underside of a solar power generation panel opposite to the side of the solar power generation panel that is irradiated by sunlight, and comprises a flight movement mechanism that flies above the passage between the solar power generation panels, a photographing device for photographing the underside of the panel, a field of view adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the photographing device, and a connecting part that extends downward from the flight movement mechanism, connects the flight movement mechanism and the field of view adjustment mechanism, and positions the photographing device at a height that allows it to photograph the underside of the panel. A position acquisition mechanism for acquiring the position of the flight movement mechanism or the imaging device, and a height control mechanism for maintaining the imaging device at a constant height above the ground. The device comprises the above, wherein the connecting portion is of variable length, and the height control mechanism is characterized by having a height measuring mechanism disposed at the same level as the imaging device, and a length changing mechanism that changes the length of the connecting portion based on the height above measured by the height measuring mechanism.

[0016] The embodiment of the solar power generation system inspection method is a method for photographing the underside of a solar power generation panel opposite to the side of the panel that is irradiated by sunlight, and comprises a flying mobile mechanism that flies over the passage between the solar power generation panels, a photographing device for photographing the underside of the panel, a field of view adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the photographing device, and a connecting part that extends downward from the flying mobile mechanism, connects the flying mobile mechanism and the field of view adjustment mechanism, and positions the photographing device at a height that allows it to photograph the underside of the panel. A position acquisition mechanism for acquiring the position of the flight movement mechanism or the imaging device, and a height control mechanism for maintaining the imaging device at a constant height above the ground. It is equipped with, The connecting portion is of variable length, and the height control mechanism includes a height measuring mechanism disposed at the same level as the imaging device, and a length changing mechanism that changes the length of the connecting portion based on the height above measured by the height measuring mechanism. This system is characterized by the use of a solar power generation system inspection device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method that enable stable inspection of the underside of solar power generation panels.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] A diagram schematically showing the basic configuration of a solar power generation system inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram schematically showing the configuration of a modified example of the solar power generation system inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram schematically showing the configuration of another modified example of the solar power generation system inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram schematically showing the configuration of another modified example of the solar power generation system inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram schematically showing the configuration of a solar power generation system inspection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram for explaining an example of data communication content in the second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, a solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams schematically showing the schematic configurations of a solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method according to the first embodiment. In the present invention, as described above, the problem is to reduce the manpower and unmanned maintenance inspection of the solar power generation system. The basic configuration is shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration for implementing the control of the flight position and flight height by a device near the imaging device is shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] For example, in a large-scale solar power generation system called a mega solar, a large number of solar power generation panels are installed. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the solar power generation panel 1 to be inspected and the adjacent solar power generation panel 2 are arranged separated by a passageway 3. In this embodiment, the basic configuration is an inspection device 10 that flies above the passageway 3 between solar power generation panels 1 and 2, in order to enable observation and inspection from the opposite side of the surface of solar power generation panel 1 that is directly irradiated by sunlight, that is, from the underside of solar power generation panel 1.

[0022] The inspection device 10 comprises a flight movement mechanism 11 that flies above the passageway 3, a photography device 12 that photographs the underside of the solar power generation panel 1, a field of view adjustment mechanism 13 for directing the photography direction of the photography device 12 to a desired direction, and a connection part 14 that connects the flight movement mechanism 11 and the field of view adjustment mechanism 13. The inspection device 10 also comprises a position acquisition device 15 that acquires photography position information and a height control mechanism 16 for controlling the photography height. The example shown in Figure 1 illustrates an example in which the position acquisition device 15 and height control mechanism 16 are provided by the flight movement mechanism 11.

[0023] The flight-moving mechanism 11 is a mechanism that can stably transport the imaging device 12 regardless of the installation environment of the passageway 3. As long as stable flight movement is possible, the flight path is not limited; for example, flight on a free path by a drone or helicopter, or flight along rails, cables, or electronically controlled paths installed on the passageway 3 are possible. The movement control of the flight-moving mechanism 11 can be remotely controlled by a person or automatic flight by learning a flight path, and the method is not limited. The flight-moving mechanism 11 may also be equipped with an inspection mechanism 22 (see Figure 4) for inspecting the top surface of the solar power generation panel 1. The form of the camera used in the inspection mechanism 22 is not limited; in addition to the camera mounted on the flight-moving mechanism 11, a general camera, or a thermal camera for temperature measurement can be used.

[0024] The imaging device 12 is a device for photographing the underside of the solar power generation panel 1. The format of the data acquired by the imaging device 12, such as images and videos, is not restricted. Any type of device is acceptable as long as it can photograph the underside of the solar power generation panel 1, and in addition to general cameras, 360-degree cameras, smartphone cameras, stereo cameras, etc. may be considered. Alternatively, an image acquisition mechanism 21 that acquires images with different wavelength ranges of light simultaneously or individually, such as a thermal camera or a multispectral camera, may be used as the camera. Figure 3 shows a configuration diagram when the image acquisition mechanism 21 is used as the camera.

[0025] The field of view adjustment mechanism 13 adjusts the orientation of the shooting device 12 (or image acquisition mechanism 21) in a certain direction to acquire an image within a desired range. The field of view adjustment mechanism 13 can use a mechanism that physically fixes the shooting device 12 or uses electronically controlled drive and fixing, and can use a stabilizer (gimbal), tripod (tripod head), etc.

[0026] The connecting section 14 extends downward from the flight movement mechanism 11 and connects the flight movement mechanism 11 and the field of view adjustment mechanism 13, so that the camera 12 can be positioned to photograph the underside of the solar power generation panel 1 while the flight movement mechanism 11 flies above the solar power generation panels 1 and 2 at a height where its attitude is stable. The connecting section 14 can be made of any material or structure as long as it can be transported by the flight movement mechanism 11. For example, it can be connected with a single rubber band, multiple rubber bands, a rigid body such as a plastic rod, or a variable-length connection attached to a winch or motor.

[0027] The position acquisition device 15 is a device that acquires positional information of the flight movement mechanism 11 or the camera 12, and links the captured position to the captured position in order to manage the captured data of the camera 12 as inspection results. An example of this position acquisition device 15 is GPS (Global Positioning System). Here, GPS is a system for measuring the current position on Earth using artificial satellites. Note that any GPS with a transmitter will suffice, and the transmitter can be, for example, a transmitter built into the flight movement mechanism 11 or an external small transmitter. Figure 1 shows a configuration in which the transmitter is built into the flight movement mechanism 11.

[0028] Furthermore, a SLAM (Simulated Localization and Mapping) system can be used as the position acquisition device 15. SLAM is a method for determining location information by creating an environmental map from imaging data of the surrounding environment and simultaneously integrating the environmental map with the imaging data. The type of camera used for SLAM is not limited; examples include stereo cameras and 360-degree cameras. Figure 2 shows a configuration in which a 360-degree camera is mounted as the position acquisition device 15.

[0029] The height control mechanism 16 is a mechanism for maintaining the altitude of the imaging device 12 at a desired height and for always imaging the underside of the solar power generation panel 1 from the desired height. An example of this height control mechanism 16 is flight height control based on altitude measurement built into the flight movement mechanism 11, as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, a height control mechanism 16 can be used that maintains a constant height of the imaging device 12 by using a height measurement mechanism 16a positioned at the same level as the imaging device 12, and a length changing mechanism 16b that changes the length of the connecting section 14 based on the altitude measured by the height measurement mechanism 16a. Here, examples of methods for measuring altitude include laser and ultrasonic measurement. Examples of methods for controlling the length of the connecting section 14 by the length changing mechanism 16b include winches, telescopic structures, metal belts, jacks, etc.

[0030] Figure 4 shows an example of a configuration in which additional equipment is installed in addition to the basic configuration described above. As shown in Figure 4, in addition to the inspection device 10, sensors 23 may be used to detect abnormalities that cannot be confirmed by visual inspection. Examples of inspection items that rely on the five senses of the inspection worker other than visual inspection include odors emitted due to burning or rust, localized overheating due to broken wires inside the solar power generation panel, abnormal noises inside the junction box, loose bolt fastenings, and instability of the mounting frame due to landslides. These can be measured using odor sensors, non-contact thermometers, audible microphones, laser vibrometers, laser distance meters, ultrasonic sensors, etc., but other sensors 23 may also be used.

[0031] In addition to the inspection device 10, a data determination device 24 may be provided that determines the presence or absence of abnormalities based on the data captured by the imaging device 12. The data determination device 24 performs image processing or learning on the image or video data transmitted from the imaging device 12 to detect abnormalities occurring on the underside of the solar power generation panel 1. As mentioned above, various abnormalities can occur on the underside of the solar power generation panel 1, such as deterioration or burnout of the back panel, deterioration or burnout of the junction box, rust on the mounting frame or loosening of fixing bolts, cable breakage, disconnection of the ground wire, and insect nests. An image processing or learning method capable of detecting these is desirable. For example, classification of the presence or absence of abnormalities by unsupervised learning or abnormality detection by training with captured data of the underside of a normal solar power generation panel can be used.

[0032] According to the first embodiment configured as described above, the following effects (1) to (4) can be obtained. (1) By using the inspection device 10, it is possible to photograph the underside of the solar power generation panel 1 with a stable field of view and shooting position in solar power plants with poor installation environments such as mountainous areas, weed-covered areas, and heavy snow areas. In other words, robust inspection of the underside of the panel is possible regardless of the installation environment or flight environment. This can replace the visual inspection of the underside of the solar power generation panel 1 that was conventionally performed by inspectors. (2) By automating the flight control of the flight movement mechanism 11, visual inspections can be automated. This reduces not only inspection costs but also costs associated with traveling to solar power plants in remote locations. (3) The image acquisition mechanism 21, inspection mechanism 22, and various sensors 23 can detect abnormalities that cannot be detected by visual inspection. Examples of abnormalities that cannot be detected by visual inspection include localized overheating of the solar power generation panel 1, smells of burning or rust, abnormal noises inside the junction box, loosening of bolt fastenings, and instability of the mounting frame due to landslides. This makes it possible to replace inspection work other than visual inspection. (4) The data determination device 24 makes it possible to determine whether or not an abnormality occurs on the lower side of the panel. By linking this with the position information obtained from the position acquisition device 15, it is possible to manage the presence or absence of abnormalities linked to the position. This simplifies the management of inspection results and reduces the costs required for maintenance.

[0033] (Second Embodiment) In this second embodiment, we will describe an inspection device 30 that is equipped with a communication function to enable data transmission and reception, as described in the first embodiment. Figure 5 schematically shows the general configuration of the inspection device 30 equipped with a communication device 31. In this second embodiment, parts that are the same as in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, thereby simplifying or omitting their description.

[0034] The inspection device 30 differs from the inspection device 10 of the first embodiment in that it is configured to transmit data acquired by the inspection device 30 via the communication device 31 and receive it with the remote communication device 32. In the example shown in Figure 5, the remote communication device 32 is connected to the data determination device 24, which determines whether or not there is an abnormality on the underside of the solar power generation panel 1.

[0035] Figure 6 shows an example of data transmission and reception via communication. As shown in Figure 6, the communication device 31 of the inspection device 30 transmits photographic data from the imaging device 12 and the photographic position from the position acquisition device 15, and the data is received by the remote communication device 32. The received data can be viewed and analyzed remotely, and for example, by installing a data judgment device 24 at a remote location, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality at that remote location. Based on the received data, new information can be transmitted from the remote communication device 32 and received by the communication device 31. For example, a new detailed inspection route can be set based on the received data, and photographic data obtained by the flight mobile mechanism 11 flying along that route can be communicated. In addition, the data received by the remote communication device 32 is stored in cloud storage 33, and the history of inspection results can be displayed in subsequent inspections.

[0036] As described above, this second embodiment provides the same effects as the effects (1) to (4) of the first embodiment described above, as well as the following effects (5) and (6). (5) By transmitting and receiving data via the communication device 31, there is an advantage in that the number of devices mounted on the inspection device 30 can be reduced. As a result, the payload capacity required for the flight mobile mechanism 11 is reduced, and the flight mobile mechanism 11 can be made smaller. (6) By combining data transmission via the communication device 31 with the flight movement mechanism 11 that automatically sets a flight path and flies, it becomes possible to automatically perform visual inspections at solar power plants even without inspectors present, and to view and manage the inspection results. This reduces the costs required for visual inspections of solar power plants.

[0037] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1...Solar power generation panel (item to be inspected), 2...Solar power generation panel, 3...Passageway, 10...Inspection device, 11...Flight movement mechanism, 12...Photography device, 13...Angle of view adjustment mechanism, 14...Connection part, 15...Position acquisition device, 16...Height control mechanism, 16a...Height measurement mechanism, 16b...Length change mechanism, 21...Image acquisition mechanism, 22...Inspection mechanism, 23...Sensor, 24...Data judgment device, 30...Inspection device, 31...Communication device, 32...Communication device for remote locations, 33...Cloud storage.

Claims

1. A solar power generation system inspection device for photographing the underside of a solar power generation panel, on the side opposite to the side that is irradiated by sunlight, A flying mobile mechanism that flies above the passage between the aforementioned solar power generation panels, A camera for photographing the lower side of the aforementioned panel, A field of view adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the aforementioned imaging device, A connecting portion extending downward from the aforementioned flight movement mechanism, connecting the aforementioned flight movement mechanism and the aforementioned field of view adjustment mechanism, and positioning the shooting device at a height that allows it to photograph the lower side of the panel, A position acquisition mechanism for acquiring the position of the flight movement mechanism or the imaging device, A height control mechanism for maintaining the aforementioned imaging device at a constant height above the ground, It is equipped with, The aforementioned connecting part is of variable length, The height control mechanism is, A height measuring mechanism is installed at the same level as the aforementioned imaging device, A length changing mechanism that changes the length of the connecting part based on the height above measured by the height measuring mechanism, A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by having the following features.

2. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1, A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by having an image acquisition mechanism that simultaneously or individually acquires images with different wavelength ranges of light.

3. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1, A solar power generation system inspection device characterized in that the flying mobile mechanism is equipped with an inspection mechanism for simultaneously inspecting the upper surface of the solar power generation panel.

4. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1, A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by being equipped with one or more sensors from among odor sensors, non-contact thermometers, laser rangefinders, laser vibrometers, audible microphones, and ultrasonic sensors.

5. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1, A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by comprising a data determination device that stores data acquired by the aforementioned imaging device and determines whether the inspection location is normal or abnormal.

6. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1, A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by being equipped with a communication device that connects to a network and transmits acquired data.

7. A method for inspecting a solar power generation system, for photographing the underside of a solar power generation panel opposite to the side that is irradiated by sunlight, A flying mobile mechanism that flies above the passage between the aforementioned solar power generation panels, A camera for photographing the lower side of the aforementioned panel, A field of view adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the aforementioned imaging device, A connecting portion extending downward from the aforementioned flight movement mechanism, connecting the aforementioned flight movement mechanism and the aforementioned field of view adjustment mechanism, and positioning the shooting device at a height that allows it to photograph the lower side of the panel, A position acquisition mechanism for acquiring the position of the flight movement mechanism or the imaging device, A height control mechanism for maintaining the aforementioned imaging device at a constant height above the ground, It is equipped with, The aforementioned connecting part is of variable length, The height control mechanism is, A height measuring mechanism is installed at the same level as the aforementioned imaging device, A length changing mechanism that changes the length of the connecting part based on the height above measured by the height measuring mechanism, A method for inspecting a solar power generation system, characterized by using a solar power generation system inspection device having the following features.

Images