Photovoltaic Module Reverse Power Control for Snow Melting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In photovoltaic systems, some modules receive excessive reverse power during snow melting and deicing, leading to performance degradation or damage due to non-uniform snow and ice conditions and differing module parameters.
Innovation Solution
An electrical energy control method and apparatus that determines if a preset reverse energy flow condition is met, stopping the photovoltaic module from outputting energy and transmitting stored energy from a direct current capacitor to prevent excessive power absorption, using a controller and power transmission circuit with a controllable switch and DC/DC converter to manage energy flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fixed total power is applied to heat photovoltaic modules during snow melting and deicing, then the heating function is achieved, but some modules receive excessive reverse power causing performance degradation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the photovoltaic module array into multiple independent control units, with each unit having its own control device that can independently detect reverse power conditions and control energy flow for individual modules or groups, preventing excessive power to any single module
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements localized control where each control device monitors and adjusts parameters (voltage, current, power) for its specific photovoltaic module or group independently, allowing tailored heating control based on local snow/ice conditions and module characteristics rather than uniform fixed power distribution
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical energy is transmitted back to photovoltaic modules for heating, then snow melting and deicing function is achieved, but non-uniform heating occurs due to different module parameters and snow/ice distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control where control devices continuously detect electrical parameters (voltage, current, power) and reverse power conditions, then adjust energy flow in real-time to maintain uniform heating across modules with different parameters and snow/ice conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from fixed static power distribution to dynamic adaptive control where heating power is continuously adjusted based on real-time detection of module parameters, snow/ice conditions, and reverse power states, enabling uniform heating despite varying conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If reverse power flow is used for heating photovoltaic modules, then deicing capability is improved, but risk of module damage increases due to excessive power absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary protective actions by detecting reverse power conditions and controlling energy flow before excessive power can damage modules, using pre-set thresholds and real-time monitoring to prevent harmful power levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control devices as intermediary components between the power source and photovoltaic modules, which mediate energy flow by detecting reverse power conditions and regulating power transmission to prevent excessive power absorption while enabling necessary heating
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 solution ensures each photovoltaic module is safely and reliably heated, preventing performance degradation or damage by controlling energy distribution and absorption, thus ensuring uniform heating and maintaining system safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting stored energy from a direct current capacitor to prevent excessive power absorption
Implementation Method 2
The photovoltaic array includes one or more photovoltaic modules connected in series-parallel, and converts received light energy into direct-current electrical energy for output
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical energy control method and an electrical energy control apparatus for a photovoltaic system are provided. With the electrical energy control apparatus, a photovoltaic module meeting a preset electrical energy reverse flow condition is controlled to receive electrical energy stored on a direct current capacitor of the electrical energy control apparatus. That is, the photovoltaic modules are separately controlled to be heated by corresponding electrical energy control apparatuses, so as to avoid the issue in conventional technologies that, due to unified heating, excessive reverse power is received by some modules and causes performance degradation or damage of the modules, thereby ensuring that each of the photovoltaic modules is safely and reliably controlled to be heated for snow melting and deicing.