Cell-Level PV Temperature Profiling for Intermittent Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring and diagnosing photovoltaic architectures are inadequate in detecting temporary or intermittent faults, and those using temperature sensors are not comprehensive enough for simple diagnostics of individual cells within a module.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the acquisition of temperature profiles over time for each cell and bypass diode, with comparison to reference values and stored thresholds to determine operating states and potential faults, including predictive modeling of fault appearance and power loss calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal imaging detection is used to monitor photovoltaic modules, then hot spots can be identified, but the method is too restrictive and unreliable for detecting temporary or intermittent faults
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system divides the photovoltaic module into individual cell-level temperature monitoring points, allowing independent temperature measurement for each cell. This segmentation enables detection of localized faults in specific cells while maintaining overall system reliability, overcoming the limitation of thermal imaging which provides only general hot spot detection without cell-specific reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature monitoring system serves multiple functions: detecting permanent hardware faults, identifying temporary shading issues, monitoring dust accumulation, and tracking intermittent problems. By making the monitoring system universal in its application across different fault types and conditions, it achieves both reliability and versatility that thermal imaging alone cannot provide.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are integrated into modules to monitor cell integrity, then some fault detection is possible, but the solution is not sufficiently complete for simple diagnostics on each cell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature sensor integration with a centralized processing unit that aggregates temperature data from all cells and compares it against reference profiles. This merging approach maintains simple individual cell sensors while achieving comprehensive cell-level diagnostics through centralized analysis, balancing measurement precision with manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing measured cell temperatures against reference temperature profiles and providing diagnostic information about cell status. This feedback mechanism enables simple diagnostics for each cell by highlighting deviations from normal temperature patterns, achieving precise cell-state measurement without requiring complex individual cell analysis systems.
3Reliability
If multiple temperature sensors are deployed for each cell to form temperature profiles, then comprehensive fault detection is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing reference temperature profiles for each cell under normal operating conditions before faults occur. These pre-established profiles serve as benchmarks for detecting deviations, enabling comprehensive fault detection through simple comparison operations rather than requiring complex real-time analysis, thus achieving reliability without proportional increases in complexity.
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 accurate and efficient monitoring and diagnosis of photovoltaic modules, detecting all types of faults, including localized and intermittent issues, with ease and non-intrusiveness, improving fault detection and predictive maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
Acquisition of several temperature values for each cell of said module over time, so as to form for each cell a temperature profile as a function of time
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring and diagnosing a photovoltaic architecture. For at least one photovoltaic module, the method comprises the following steps: - Acquisition of several temperature values for each photovoltaic cell (Cx) of the photovoltaic module over time, so as to form a temperature profile as a function of time for each cell, - Determination of a reference temperature value (Tref) of a cell from the acquired temperature values, - For a temperature profile of a cell of the module, comparison of an acquired temperature value with said reference temperature value so as to determine a temperature difference, - Determination of the operating state of each cell by comparing said determined temperature difference with a stored threshold value (Vs).