Solar Battery String Failure Diagnosis via Dynamic Power Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale solar power generation systems face challenges in detecting failures in solar battery modules due to varying output characteristics influenced by environmental conditions, making it difficult to set threshold values for determining module failures and estimating the cause of degradation, which complicates maintenance planning.

Innovation Solution

A solar power generation system that includes string measurement units for each solar battery string, an array measurement unit for the solar battery array, and a computer that calculates electric power loss and detects failures by analyzing changes in solar radiation and using the ratio of operation current to short-circuit current to determine expected electric power values, thereby identifying failures and their causes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement means and communication means are installed for each solar battery module, then failure detection precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the measurement function by providing measurement means for each solar battery string rather than each module, and further segments the analysis by evaluating each string's output characteristics independently. This allows failure detection at the string level while reducing the number of measurement points compared to module-level monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an output characteristic evaluation unit that acts as an intermediary between the measurement means and failure determination. This unit calculates expected output values based on solar radiation and temperature, then compares actual measurements against these expectations to detect failures, thereby enabling precise failure detection without requiring direct module-level measurement infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If measurement means are installed for each solar battery string, then failure detection capability is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the measurement function into existing connection boxes where measurement means are installed at the string level rather than requiring separate installation infrastructure for each module. This approach combines multiple functions (measurement, communication, and evaluation) into existing structural elements, reducing overall installation cost while maintaining failure detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service failure detection by automatically calculating expected output values based on environmental conditions (solar radiation and temperature) and comparing them with actual measurements. The output characteristic evaluation unit performs autonomous analysis without requiring manual intervention or additional expensive infrastructure, making the system cost-effective while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If threshold values are set for determining failed solar battery strings, then failure determination is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure determination simplicityVSAvoidfailure determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements dynamic threshold adjustment by calculating expected output values based on real-time environmental conditions (solar radiation and temperature). Instead of using fixed threshold values, the system adapts the reference values dynamically according to atmospheric conditions, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and high measurement precision across varying environmental scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the reference parameter from fixed threshold values to dynamically calculated expected output values that depend on solar radiation and temperature parameters. By adjusting these parameters based on environmental conditions, the system achieves accurate failure determination without sacrificing operational simplicity, as the evaluation unit automatically handles the parameter adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If conventional failure determination methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information occurs regarding failure causes and maintenance planning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidfailure cause identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements feedback by continuously monitoring output characteristics and comparing actual measurements with expected values calculated from environmental conditions. When deviations are detected, the system provides feedback information about the nature and magnitude of the deviation, enabling identification of failure causes and informing maintenance planning decisions without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The output characteristic evaluation unit serves as an intermediary that not only detects failures but also analyzes the nature of deviations to identify potential failure causes. This intermediary layer processes measurement data and environmental information to generate diagnostic insights, thereby reducing information loss regarding failure causes while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through software-based evaluation rather than additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solar battery string failures even with small output changes, allowing for precise identification of failure causes and facilitating maintenance planning in large-scale solar power generation systems.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of solar battery modules are installed at a single generation site... each solar battery string comprising a plurality of solar battery modules connected in series

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10312858B2Solar power generation system and failure diagnosis method therefor
Publication Date: 2019.06.04 HITACHI LTD
  • US10312858B2 patent drawing
  • US10312858B2 patent drawing
  • US10312858B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A monitor device in a solar power generation system extracts a first time band indicating a minimum amount of solar radiation and a second time band indicating a maximum amount of solar radiation in a day, and calculates, using a ratio of operation and short-circuit currents in a solar battery array, an expected electric power value of a solar battery string to be inspected in each of the first and second time bands. From measurement electric power values of the solar battery string to be inspected in the time bands, the expected electric power value of the first time band, and the expected electric power value of the second time band, first and second electric power losses in the first and second time bands are calculated, and a failure in the solar battery string to be inspected is detected based on the first and second electric power losses.