Solar Power Converter Control for Panel Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power conditioner systems fail to accurately detect abnormalities in solar cell panels or electricity conducting paths due to deterioration, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential system failures.
Innovation Solution
A power control device that monitors voltage, current, or power input from solar cell panels, using a power conversion section and an abnormality determination section to detect abnormalities by adjusting targets stepwise and tracking maximum power, and determining abnormalities based on changes in these parameters over a prescribed period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional power monitoring is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but abnormality detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between search control mode (changing voltage/current to find maximum power point) and tracking control mode (maintaining maximum power point). This dynamic operation allows the same hardware to perform both power optimization and abnormality detection functions, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from power measurements taken during voltage/current adjustments to detect abnormalities. By monitoring how the solar cell panel responds to controlled changes in operating conditions, the system can identify deterioration without adding dedicated detection hardware, thus improving detection capability while maintaining system simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If stepwise adjustment with multiple parameters is used, then abnormality detection accuracy is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control process is segmented into distinct phases: search control (coarse adjustment to find MPP) and tracking control (fine adjustment to maintain MPP). Abnormality detection is further segmented by monitoring specific parameters (voltage, current, or power) during these phases. This segmentation allows accurate detection through systematic parameter adjustment without overwhelming control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (voltage or current) in controlled steps during search control, then makes smaller adjustments during tracking control. By monitoring how power changes in response to these parameter adjustments, the system can detect abnormalities with high accuracy. The structured parameter change approach manages complexity by following a predetermined adjustment pattern.
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 accurate detection of abnormalities in solar cell panels and electricity conducting paths, preventing system failures and improving efficiency by identifying changes in impedance and response to adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
power inputted from a solar cell panel
Data Source
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AI summary
A power control device (10) comprises: a power conversion unit (30) that converts the voltage of power input from solar cell panels (2) and that outputs such power; a control unit (28) that performs follow-up control after performing search control on the power conversion unit (30); and an abnormality determination unit (29) that determines that an abnormality has occurred. During the follow-up control, the abnormality determination unit (29) changes, in a prescribed target period, a change target which is any one of the voltage, the current, and the power on the input side of the power conversion unit (30), and the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred on the basis of the change in the change target in the target period.