Photovoltaic Panel Monitoring With Automatic Cover-Based Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photovoltaic panel systems lack timely and automated mechanisms for identifying and addressing malfunctioning panels, leading to potential fires and system failures due to reliance on on-site personnel and delayed maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic panel system equipped with detecting means for electrical data output, a control unit to analyze data, and tripping and restoring means that include roll-up/roll-down covers and cleaning devices, allowing for immediate interruption or restoration of panel operation, along with data exchange capabilities for remote monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated detecting means and control units are implemented to monitor photovoltaic panels, then the reliability and safety of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into modular components: detecting means for electrical data, detecting means for thermographic data, control units for each module, and central control systems. Each module can independently monitor and trigger tripping mechanisms, distributing the complexity across multiple simple units rather than one complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary protective actions by pre-installing tripping means and restoring means that are automatically activated when malfunction is detected. The cover means are pre-positioned to obscure the light-receiving face, and cleaning means are pre-configured to remove contaminants, ensuring immediate response without human intervention.
2Loss of time
If tripping and restoring means are implemented to automatically interrupt and restore panel operation, then the loss of time for maintenance response is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic module incorporates self-service capabilities through automated tripping and restoring means. When malfunction is detected, the system automatically triggers the cover means to obscure the light-receiving face and activates cleaning means to remove contaminants, then restores operation without requiring external intervention or complex coordination systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The tripping means and restoring means are merged into integrated assemblies associated with each photovoltaic module. The cover means and cleaning means are combined in a single restoring mechanism that performs both protective covering and contamination removal, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining rapid response capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cover means are used to obscure the light-receiving face during malfunction, then the harmful effects of malfunctioning panels are reduced, but the productivity is reduced due to operational interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The cover means operate periodically rather than continuously - they are deployed to obscure the light-receiving face only when malfunction is detected and automatically restored when the malfunction is resolved. This periodic activation minimizes productivity loss while maintaining safety during critical periods when panels are malfunctioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of continuous operation during malfunction into a benefit by using the malfunction detection signal to trigger protective covering. The interruption of operation, while seemingly harmful to productivity, actually prevents more severe damage such as fire, and the automated restoring means quickly resume operation once safety is ensured, converting the potential harm into a protective safety mechanism.
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 timely and automated intervention in malfunctioning panels, reducing the risk of fires and ensuring continuous operation by analyzing electrical and thermographic data to trigger cover activation and cleaning, thus enhancing safety and reliability without relying on on-site personnel.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photovoltaic panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d)
Implementation Method 2
detecting means (3) for electrical data output from each photovoltaic panel (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d)
Implementation Method 3
a control unit (4) able to receive said electrical data detected by said detecting means (3)
Implementation Method 4
tripping and restoring means (5) for interrupting the electrical operation of one or more photovoltaic panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d)
Implementation Method 5
a device (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) for cleaning the face collecting the solar radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
Photovoltaic panel system (1) comprising a plurality of photovoltaic panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), said system comprising detecting means (3) for detecting the electrical data output from each photovoltaic panel (2a;2b;2c;2d) of said plurality of photovoltaic panels or from one or more arrays (2a,2b; 2c,2d) of photovoltaic panels of said plurality of photovoltaic panels, and a control unit (4) able to receive said electrical data detected by said detecting means (3), said system being characterized by further comprising tripping means (5) for interrupting the electric operation of one or more photovoltaic panels of said plurality of photovoltaic panels and/or for restoring the proper operation of one or more photovoltaic panels of said plurality of photovoltaic panels, said tripping and/or restoring means (5) being driven by said control unit (4) depending on the data detected on each photovoltaic panel (2a,2b,2c,2d) during their operation.