Systems and methods for mapping the connectivity topology of local management units in photovoltaic arrays
First Claim
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1. A master management unit of a solar photovoltaic power generation system, comprising:
- a communications device adapted to transmit instructions to a plurality of local management units of the solar photovoltaic power generation system having a plurality of photovoltaic panels connected by the plurality of local management units respectively to a set of power lines, wherein the instructions transmitted by the communication device cause the local management units to stop outputting power to the set of power lines one at a time and to receive power production information from the local management units outputting power to the set of power lines of the solar photovoltaic power generation system;
a processor adapted to determine a topology of connectivity of the plurality of local management units on the set of power lines based at least in part on the power production information; and
an electromagnetic radiation field strength measuring device to measure wireless network communications signals from the plurality of local management units;
wherein the processor is adapted to determine the topology further based on the wireless network communications signals measured by the electromagnetic radiation field strength measuring device;
wherein the processor is further adapted to instruct each local management unit to transmit a respective one of the wireless network communication signals.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for determining a connectivity topology of local management units (LMUs) in a solar photovoltaic power generation (SPVPG) system. Each of the LMUs is connected within the SPVPG between a solar panel and a set of power lines of the SPVPG. The set of power lines connects the LMUs to form a network. The connectivity topology of LMUs in the network is determined using, for example, indirect indications of connections of an LMU and the SPVPG and indications of the physical location of the LMU with respect to other elements of the SPVPG.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A master management unit of a solar photovoltaic power generation system, comprising:
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a communications device adapted to transmit instructions to a plurality of local management units of the solar photovoltaic power generation system having a plurality of photovoltaic panels connected by the plurality of local management units respectively to a set of power lines, wherein the instructions transmitted by the communication device cause the local management units to stop outputting power to the set of power lines one at a time and to receive power production information from the local management units outputting power to the set of power lines of the solar photovoltaic power generation system; a processor adapted to determine a topology of connectivity of the plurality of local management units on the set of power lines based at least in part on the power production information; and an electromagnetic radiation field strength measuring device to measure wireless network communications signals from the plurality of local management units; wherein the processor is adapted to determine the topology further based on the wireless network communications signals measured by the electromagnetic radiation field strength measuring device; wherein the processor is further adapted to instruct each local management unit to transmit a respective one of the wireless network communication signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method implemented in a master management unit of a solar photovoltaic power generation system, the method comprising:
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transmitting a command to a first local management unit of a plurality of local management units of the solar photovoltaic power generation system having a plurality of photovoltaic panels connected by the plurality of local management units respectively to a set of power lines, the command to instruct the first local management unit to reduce power output from a first photovoltaic panel of the plurality of photovoltaic panels, the first photovoltaic panel controlled by the first local management unit, wherein the plurality of local management units are instructed to reduce power output one at a time; after the transmitting of the command to the first local management unit, receiving first power production information from at least one of the plurality of local management units other than the first local management unit; and determining a topology of connectivity of the local management units within the solar photovoltaic power generation system based at least in part on the first power production information received in connection with the transmitting of the command to the first local management unit, and further based on wireless network communications signals received from the plurality of local management units and measured by an electromagnetic radiation field strength measuring device, wherein each of the plurality of local management units transmits a respective one of the wireless network communication signals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification