Photovoltaic Assembly Potential Increase Lightning Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic systems face high risks of lightning strikes and electric shock due to grounding the negative pole, and existing solutions either increase system costs with surge arresters or compromise safety by having live parts at ground potential.
Innovation Solution
Raising the positive pole to a higher potential relative to ground using a constant voltage source with a negative terminal connected to ground, while using a circuit breaker to disconnect the system if current exceeds a limit, and incorporating signal modulation for theft detection and fault recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the negative pole is connected to ground potential, then the system is protected from electric shock and provides stable reference potential, but the system becomes highly susceptible to lightning strikes requiring expensive surge arresters
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of grounding the negative pole as in conventional systems, the patent inverts the approach by grounding the positive pole through a voltage source. This reversal changes the potential distribution such that the negative pole becomes floating, thereby reducing lightning attraction while maintaining electrical safety through the grounded positive pole.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the potential parameters of the system by introducing a voltage source that raises the potential of the positive pole relative to ground. This parameter change transforms the system from a grounded-negative configuration to a raised-positive configuration, fundamentally altering the electrical characteristics and lightning susceptibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the positive pole is raised to higher potential relative to ground, then the likelihood of lightning strikes is reduced, but the system complexity increases requiring additional voltage sources and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage source connected to the positive pole serves multiple functions simultaneously: it raises the potential to reduce lightning susceptibility, provides a stable reference potential for the system, and enables theft detection through potential monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own potential distribution and voltage source to simultaneously achieve lightning protection, electrical safety, and theft detection. The same raised potential that protects against lightning also serves as the basis for detecting system tampering or theft, making the system self-protecting without requiring entirely separate protection systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If potential-free operation is implemented, then the risk of electric shock is avoided and lightning protection is improved, but parasitic discharges to ground occur due to long connecting lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage source as an intermediary element between the positive pole and ground. This intermediary actively maintains the potential difference and compensates for the effects of long connecting lines, preventing parasitic discharges while maintaining the safety benefits of potential-free operation for users.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces the likelihood of lightning strikes and protects people from electric shock by maintaining a potential-free configuration with enhanced security and detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
When exposed to solar energy, the individual photovoltaic cell generates a voltage of approx. 0.5 volts
Data Source
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AI summary
The photovoltaic system (1) comprises a plurality of photovoltaic modules (3) that are electrically connected to form a string (5) or several parallel-connected strings (5). They form a PV generator (6). The first string end (7) forms the negative terminal of the photovoltaic generator (6), and the second string end (9) forms the positive terminal. According to the invention, a device (23) is provided by means of which the potential of the positive terminal is raised relative to ground (13). This reduces the emission of electrons from the TCO layer of the modules 3, thus reducing or completely preventing cathode discharges.