Solar String Shutdown Layout for Lower-Cost Emergency Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high installation cost of rapid shutdown devices in solar power generation systems and the need for improved safety during emergencies, such as fires, where existing solutions require individual installation for each solar cell module, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A solar power generation system design that includes a string of solar cell module groups connected in series, with shut-off devices installed in electrical paths between these groups, driven by solar cell module power and using power line communication for control signals, allowing collective severance of connections between groups, thereby reducing installation costs and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shut-off device is installed for each solar cell module, then the safety of firefighters is improved, but the installation cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple solar cell modules into a single string unit and installs one shut-off device per string rather than per module. This combining approach maintains firefighter safety by ensuring complete shutdown capability while significantly reducing the number of shut-off devices required, thereby lowering installation costs and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the solar power generation system into multiple independent strings, where each string is equipped with its own shut-off device. This segmentation allows for localized shutdown of affected strings during emergencies while leaving other strings operational, optimizing both safety and cost-effectiveness compared to individual module shutdown.
2Device complexity
If shut-off devices are installed in electrical paths connecting solar cell module groups, then the installation cost is reduced, but the safety during emergencies may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple solar cell modules into string units with centralized shut-off devices installed at strategic electrical path locations. This merging approach reduces the total number of shut-off devices needed while maintaining effective shutdown capability across all modules in each string, achieving cost reduction without compromising emergency safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The shut-off devices installed in electrical paths between solar cell module groups act as intermediaries that can sever the connection between groups. This intermediary positioning allows a single device to control power flow from multiple modules, reducing device quantity while ensuring that emergency shutdown effectively isolates all connected modules from the inverter.
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 design reduces the installation cost of shut-off devices by allowing collective severance of multiple solar cell modules and improves safety by enabling efficient emergency shutdown without the need for additional wiring, ensuring higher voltage safety and simplified installation in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The inverter is connected to the string and converts DC power output from the solar cell modules to AC power
Implementation Method 2
The shut-off devices are respectively installed in electrical paths connecting between the solar cell module groups and sever a connection between the solar cell module groups in accordance with a control signal from the inverter
Implementation Method 3
the inverter outputs the control signal to the shut-off devices by power line communication
Data Source
AI summary
The solar power generation system includes a string, an inverter, and shut-off devices. The string includes a plurality of solar cell module groups connected in series with each other. The solar cell module groups each include a plurality of solar cell modules. The inverter is connected to the string and converts DC power output from the solar cell modules to AC power. The shut-off devices are installed respectively in electrical paths connecting between the solar cell module groups and sever the connection between the solar cell module groups in accordance with a control signal from the inverter.