Photovoltaic Cell Electrical Characterization Without Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for electrical characterization of photovoltaic modules require current or voltage sensors, making them complex and costly, and often necessitate shutting down electricity production to determine I-V curves, which is not practical for real-time fault detection.
Innovation Solution
A method that characterizes photovoltaic cells by measuring irradiance and temperature, comparing it to reference values, and estimating I-V curves using a database, allowing for fault detection without sensors and maintaining electricity production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current or voltage sensors are used to determine I-V curves of photovoltaic modules, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic module itself serves as the measurement instrument by utilizing its own operational parameters (power, voltage, current) to determine its I-V curve characteristics. The control unit processes data from the module's own operation without requiring external sensors, making the system self-measuring and eliminating complex sensor architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical sensor-based measurement system with a computational approach. Instead of using physical sensors to measure voltage and current, the system uses mathematical calculations based on power and voltage measurements to derive I-V curve characteristics, substituting a simpler measurement approach for the complex sensor system.
2Measurement precision
If traditional sensor-based methods are used to determine I-V curves, then electrical characterization accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to shutdown requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation of the photovoltaic module while performing electrical characterization. By calculating I-V curves from operational data rather than requiring shutdown for measurement, the system maintains continuous power generation and monitoring, eliminating interruptions in useful action.
3Reliability
If multiple current sensors are deployed for each module, then reliability of fault detection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it manages power conversion, performs electrical characterization, determines I-V curves, and detects faults. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated sensors for each function, reducing overall system cost while maintaining reliability through integrated monitoring capabilities.
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective, and real-time electrical characterization of photovoltaic modules, allowing for quick identification of faults without disrupting power generation.
Implementation Method 1
Each photovoltaic cell is intended to convert solar energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
one or more bypass diodes, each bypass diode being configured to bypass a submodule formed of one or more photovoltaic cells
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the electrical characterization of a photovoltaic cell of a photovoltaic module, the method including steps of obtaining the irradiance received by the photovoltaic module, obtaining a temperature of each photovoltaic cell of a first submodule of the photovoltaic module, comparing the temperature obtained for each photovoltaic cell of the first submodule with a reference temperature, determining the state of each photovoltaic cell of the first submodule between a healthy state, in which its temperature is equal to the reference temperature, and a faulty state, in which its temperature is different from the reference temperature, estimating the I-V curve associated with a first photovoltaic cell of the first submodule, by searching in a database of I-V curves.