Solar Cell Infrared Defect Detection Without External Excitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting defective solar cells in photovoltaic plants are limited by the need for indoor operation and the use of external excitation light sources, which increase costs and complexity due to the large area coverage and extensive wiring required.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing infrared imaging to detect solar cells by capturing images under both short-circuit and operational states, eliminating the need for artificial lighting and on-site wiring, allowing for comprehensive detection using sunlight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If outdoor detection is performed using sunlight, then detection coverage area increases and wiring complexity decreases, but detection accuracy may be insufficient due to lack of controlled lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell itself serves as the light source by utilizing sunlight to generate electrical energy and emit infrared signals. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external excitation light sources and associated wiring infrastructure, enabling direct outdoor detection across large photovoltaic plant areas while maintaining detection capability through the solar cell's own photovoltaic effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the solar cell to operate in different states (short-circuit state and non-short-circuit state) to modulate the infrared signal emission. By changing the operational parameters of the solar cell between these states, the system can differentiate defect signals from background thermal radiation, thereby maintaining detection accuracy in outdoor sunlight conditions
2Measurement precision
If indoor detection with external excitation light source is used, then detection accuracy is maintained, but operation and maintenance costs increase due to wiring reconstruction and manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell utilizes its own photovoltaic effect to convert sunlight into electrical energy and emit infrared signals, eliminating the need for external excitation light sources. This removes the requirement for complex wiring infrastructure and manual operation for lighting setup, significantly reducing operation and maintenance costs while enabling direct outdoor detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes the infrared signal emission capability inherent in the solar cell itself, rather than relying on external excitation equipment. By taking out the detection function from the external lighting system and embedding it within the solar cell's own operational characteristics, the system eliminates the need for separate excitation light sources and associated wiring infrastructure
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 operational and maintenance costs while enabling accurate detection of defects across large photovoltaic plants without the need for indoor relocation or artificial lighting, improving detection accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A solar photovoltaic power generation technology is a low-carbon and eco-friendly energy technology. According to the technology, solar energy is converted into electrical energy by using a photovoltaic module.
Implementation Method 2
The photovoltaic module converts illuminating light energy into electrical energy and emits an infrared signal under the drive of the electrical energy.
Implementation Method 3
the first infrared image includes infrared image information corresponding to an ambient infrared signal reflected by a to-be-detected solar cell operating in a short-circuit state
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for detecting a solar cell of a photovoltaic plant. The method includes: obtaining a first infrared image and a second infrared image, where the first infrared image includes infrared image information corresponding to an ambient infrared signal reflected by a to-be-detected solar cell operating in a short-circuit state, the second infrared image includes infrared image information corresponding to an infrared signal emitted by the to-be-detected solar cell operating in a first state and infrared image information corresponding to an ambient infrared signal reflected by the to-be-detected solar cell, and the first state is another state other than the short-circuit state; and detecting, based on the first infrared image and the second infrared image, whether the to-be-detected solar cell has a defect.