Photovoltaic Module Location Mapping Using PLC Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large photovoltaic systems, determining the location of individual panels is challenging, especially when maintenance is required, and communication between panels can be difficult, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The system uses Power Line Communication (PLC) current values and wireless signal strengths to infer the relative location of photovoltaic panels within the system, with a controller ordering these values to create an ordered list that represents the relative location, which can then be used in conjunction with a blueprint to determine the exact geographical location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the photovoltaic system includes a large number of strings, then the system capacity increases, but it becomes difficult to navigate to the appropriate photovoltaic panels requiring maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication signals as an intermediary to convey location information from photovoltaic panels to the controller. The controller receives communication signals from each panel, determines their locations based on signal characteristics, and uses this information to guide maintenance personnel to the correct panels, thus solving the navigation difficulty in large-scale systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having panels communicate their location information back to the controller. The controller processes this feedback information and uses it to identify and locate specific panels requiring maintenance, enabling efficient navigation even in systems with many strings
2Quantity of substance
If the photovoltaic system includes a large number of strings, then the system capacity increases, but communication between panels becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication task by having each photovoltaic panel independently communicate with the controller rather than requiring panel-to-panel communication. This segmentation allows the controller to receive and process communication signals from multiple panels simultaneously, maintaining communication reliability even as the number of strings increases
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives and manages communication signals from all photovoltaic panels. This centralized communication approach prevents communication conflicts and ensures reliable information transfer between panels and the control system, even in large-scale installations with many strings
3Productivity
If the location of photovoltaic panels is not known, then system simplicity is maintained, but maintenance efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Each photovoltaic panel automatically communicates its own location information to the controller without requiring external tracking or manual recording. The panels self-identify through communication signals, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while enabling efficient location determination for maintenance purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The location determination works through feedback where panels send communication signals containing location information to the controller. The controller processes this feedback to identify panel locations, creating a simple yet effective system that improves maintenance efficiency without adding significant 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
This method allows for efficient navigation to specific panels for maintenance, improves communication reliability, and enhances safety by accurately determining panel locations within the system.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by a controller, a first input communication current value from a Power Line Communication transmitter in a photovoltaic system
Implementation Method 2
a first local management unit to receive a first input communication current from the transmitter; output a first value of the first input communication current to the controller
Implementation Method 3
ordering, by the controller, the first value and the second value from largest to smallest to generate an ordered list; store the ordered list in a memory of the controller, wherein the ordered list represents a relative location
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules; an inverter; and a controller configured to generate a signal to be transmitted to a local management unit connected to at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic modules. A first local management unit is configured to receive a communication signal from the controller. The first local management unit is configured to output a message to all other connected local management units. A second local management unit is configured to receive the communication signal from the first local management unit and to output a second message to the first local management unit. The controller is configured to identify a location of the second local management unit using the second message sent to the first local management unit and store the location in a memory of the controller.