PV Module Self-Mapping Using Wireless MLPE Adjacency Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of determining PV module location and adjacency in photovoltaic arrays is time-consuming and costly, necessitating a more efficient method for installation, maintenance, and asset-tracking.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic module equipped with MLPEs that utilize wireless communication to determine times of arrival between neighboring modules, generate adjacency lists, and transmit this data to a gateway computer for network mapping, enabling automated location tracking and adjacency determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual monitoring and mapping of PV modules is performed, then installation and maintenance can be completed with simple equipment, but installation time, maintenance time, and asset-tracking time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The PV modules perform self-mapping by automatically determining their own locations and adjacencies through wireless communication with neighboring modules. Each module's MLPE autonomously generates adjacency information and transmits it to the gateway computer, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and significantly reducing installation and maintenance time while avoiding complex external mapping equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical mapping processes with wireless communication-based automated mapping. Instead of physically measuring and recording module positions, the system uses wireless signals exchanged between MLPEs to automatically determine adjacency and generate location maps, reducing installation time and labor requirements
2Loss of information
If manual assignment of unique IDs and QR codes to each PV module is performed, then each module can be individually tracked, but the mapping process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Each PV module automatically generates and transmits its own location information through wireless communication. The MLPE in each module determines its adjacency to neighboring modules and transmits this information to the gateway computer, eliminating the need for manual QR code assignment and significantly reducing the time required for complete module mapping
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic mapping during the installation process itself. As modules are installed and connected, their MLPEs automatically establish wireless communication and exchange location data, generating the complete array map before the installation is finalized, rather than requiring a separate manual mapping step afterward
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 reduces installation, maintenance, and asset-tracking times and costs by allowing for automated and efficient mapping of PV arrays through wireless communication and network mapping.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication interface; determine times of arrival (ToAs) between the MLPE and neighboring MLPEs included in neighboring PV generators
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic (PV) generator configured to enable a gateway computer to generate a network map. The PV generator including at least one PV module including a plurality of PV cells; a wireless communication interface; a powerline coupling configured to connect to a power line; and a module level power electronic (MLPE), the MLPE including processing circuitry and memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the MLPE to determine times of arrival (ToAs) between the MLPE and neighboring MLPEs included in neighboring PV generators, generate an adjacency list, the adjacency list including a list of the neighboring MLPEs and data corresponding to the ToAs for each of the listed neighboring MLPEs, and transmit the adjacency list to a gateway computer, enabling the gateway computer to generate a network map based on the adjacency list.