On-Site PV Module Biasing via Portable Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photovoltaic (PV) devices face inefficiencies in energy conversion and maintenance, particularly in large, bulky PV modules installed in solar farms, where on-site re-biasing is necessary but challenging due to their size and immobility, requiring innovative methods for improving efficiency and facilitating maintenance without transporting modules back to manufacturing plants.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for on-site re-biasing of PV modules using an array of biasing modules, where additional modules are connected in series or parallel to provide sufficient overhead voltage and current, with options for unregulated or regulated current delivery to enhance efficiency and facilitate maintenance by allowing biasing during operation or at any time in the module's lifetime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If PV modules are transported back to manufacturing plants for re-biasing, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to module removal and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
A portable re-biasing system is introduced as an intermediary device that brings manufacturing capabilities to the field site. The system includes a power supply unit, control unit, and connection harness that can be transported to solar farms and connected directly to PV modules, eliminating the need to transport modules back to manufacturing plants while maintaining re-biasing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The re-biasing process is moved from the manufacturing plant dimension to the field installation dimension. By deploying portable equipment to on-site locations, the solution transforms the spatial dimension of the re-biasing operation, allowing modules to remain installed while receiving maintenance services
2Manufacturing precision
If PV modules are disconnected and reconnected for biasing, then re-biasing can be performed, but productivity decreases due to system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The portable re-biasing system is prepared and tested before field deployment, with all necessary equipment (power supply, control unit, connection harness) assembled in advance. This preliminary preparation enables rapid on-site setup and minimizes the time modules need to be disconnected, maintaining both biasing accuracy and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables re-biasing to be performed while PV modules remain connected and operational. The portable equipment interfaces with the installed modules through existing connection points, allowing maintenance to occur without interrupting the continuous power generation function of the solar array
3Power
If additional biasing modules are connected in series or parallel, then sufficient overhead voltage and current are provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable re-biasing system is designed with universal connectivity that can interface with PV modules of various configurations. The power supply unit can operate in different modes (series or parallel connection arrangements) without requiring separate equipment, simplifying the overall system while providing the necessary power for re-biasing operations
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 approach enables efficient on-site re-biasing of PV modules, improving energy conversion efficiency and simplifying maintenance by allowing biasing operations to be performed at solar farms, ensuring continuous power generation while minimizing module disconnection and reconnection, and ensuring a stable current output.
Implementation Method 1
PV devices convert sunlight into electricity via a physical process called 'photovoltaic effect.' Specifically, sunlight is composed of photons, or 'packets' of energy. The photons contain various amounts of energy corresponding to different wavelengths of light. Upon striking a PV device, a photon may be reflected, absorbed, or pass right through the device. When a photon is absorbed, the energy of the photon is converted into electrical energy by a semiconductor within the PV device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for biasing one or more arrays of photovoltaic modules. An array of biasing photovoltaic modules is coupled to an array of photovoltaic modules to be biased. The coupling may be via a current regulating device. The array of biasing photovoltaic modules and current regulating device provide a forward bias current to the array of photovoltaic modules to be biased. The array of biasing photovoltaic modules includes more photovoltaic modules than the array of photovoltaic modules to be biased.