Solar Power Control Apparatus for Hot Spot Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar battery modules experience a hot spot phenomenon due to reverse bias from shaded or stained cells, leading to increased temperature and reduced power generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power control apparatus that detects peaks in the current-voltage characteristic curve of solar battery modules, sets an operation point based on either the peak with the maximum voltage or the peak with the maximum power, depending on the current value relative to a threshold, to regulate output and prevent excessive temperature rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the operation point is set to maximize power output in solar battery modules, then power generation efficiency is improved, but temperature increase occurs due to reverse bias in shaded cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters (voltage and current) by selecting different peaks in the current-voltage characteristic curve. When multiple peaks are detected, the system switches from operating at the maximum power peak to operating at a peak with lower voltage and current, thereby reducing temperature while maintaining acceptable power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic operation point selection based on real-time detection of the current-voltage characteristic curve. The system continuously monitors for multiple peaks and dynamically adjusts the operation point between different peaks depending on the detected conditions, rather than固定 at a single maximum power point.
2Productivity
If MPPT control is used to operate solar battery at maximum output point, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but hot spot phenomenon occurs in shaded cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by selecting different peaks in the current-voltage characteristic curve. When multiple peaks are detected, the system switches from operating at the maximum power peak to operating at a peak with lower voltage and current, thereby reducing temperature while maintaining acceptable power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful hot spot phenomenon into a useful indicator for operation point selection. By detecting multiple peaks in the current-voltage curve, the system identifies the presence of shaded cells and uses this information to select an operation point that avoids exacerbating the hot spot condition, thereby turning the detection of abnormal conditions into a protective mechanism.
3Power
If current value is high in the peak with maximum voltage, then power output is maximized, but reverse bias increases causing temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters (voltage and current) by selecting different peaks in the current-voltage characteristic curve. When multiple peaks are detected, the system switches from operating at the maximum power peak to operating at a peak with lower voltage and current, thereby reducing temperature while maintaining acceptable power output.
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
The solution effectively suppresses the hot spot phenomenon, maintains power generation efficiency, and prolongs the life of solar battery modules by adjusting the operation point based on detected peak values, while minimizing power output reduction.
Implementation Method 1
As a photoelectric conversion apparatus that converts light energy to electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
A detector detects a peak of a power value in a current-voltage characteristic curve to DC power output from a solar battery module. A setting device, when a plurality of peaks is detected, when a current value is greater than a threshold value in a first peak having a maximum voltage value of the plurality of peaks, sets an operation point based on the first peak. The setting device, when the current value in the first peak is equal to or less than the threshold value, sets the operation point based on a second peak in which the voltage value is less than that in the first peak and the current value is greater than the threshold value, of the plurality of peaks. A power regulator regulates output of the DC power of the solar battery module in accordance with the operation point set.