Testing of a photovoltaic panel

• US 10,693,415 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2011
• Issued: 06/23/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Adest, Meir, Sella, Guy, Handelsman, Lior, Galin, Yoav, Fishelov, Amir, Gazit, Meir, Glovinsky, Tzachi, Binder, Yaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Hollington, Jermele M
• Application Number:
  US13/015,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20110125431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,435 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/02 Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant by measuring phase angle only G01R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02021 for solar cells electrical connection means, e.g. junction boxes, specially adapted for structural association with photovoltaic modules H02S40/34
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/10 using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode H02M3/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1582 Buck-boost converters H02M3/1584 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/48 using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 50/10 Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells testing of semiconductor devices during manufacturing H01L22/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

A method for testing a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module. The electronic module includes an input attached to the photovoltaic panel and a power output. The method activates a bypass to the electronic module. The bypass provides a low impedance path between the input and the output of the electronic module. A current is injected into the electronic module thereby compensating for the presence of the electronic module during the testing. The current may be previously determined by measuring a circuit parameter of the electronic module. The circuit parameter may be impedance, inductance, resistance or capacitance.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

measuring a parameter of an electronic module, the electronic module comprising an input attached to an output of a photovoltaic panel, and a power output;

creating a low impedance path between the input of the electronic module and the power output of the electronic module by activating a bypass link between the input of the electronic module and the power output of the electronic module; and

injecting a current into the electronic module, wherein the current is determined based on the measured parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting the parameter from the group consisting of;

impedance, inductance, resistance, and capacitance.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

permanently attaching the electronic module to the photovoltaic panel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating of the bypass link comprises:

externally applying either an electromagnetic field or a magnetic field.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing, with the electronic module, one of DC to DC conversion, DC to AC conversion or maximum power point tracking.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating the low impedance path with the bypass link with one of a reed switch, a reed relay switch, a solid state switch or a fuse.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating the low impedance path with the bypass link with a solid state switch.

8. A device comprising:

an electronic module comprising at least one input attached to an output of a photovoltaic panel, and at least one power output;

a bypass operatively attached to the at least one input of the electronic module and the at least one power output of the electronic module, wherein the bypass, when activated, provides a low impedance path between the at least one power output of the electronic module and the at least one input of the electronic module; and

a programmable current injector operatively attached to the electronic module and configured to inject a quantity of current into the electronic module, wherein the quantity of current is determined based on a circuit parameter of the electronic module.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the circuit parameter is determined by measuring a first circuit parameter of the electronic module.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the first circuit parameter is selected from the group consisting of:

impedance, inductance, resistance, and capacitance.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the bypass includes a bypass component selected from the group consisting of:

at least one switch and at least one fuse, the bypass component connecting the at least one power output and the at least one input of the electronic module.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one switch includes selectably either:

a magnetically activated reed switch;

an electro-magnetically activated reed relay switch;

or

a solid state switch.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the electronic module performs maximum power point tracking.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the electronic module performs selectably either:

DC to DC conversion or DC to AC inversion.

15. A method, comprising:

measuring a circuit parameter of an electronic module, wherein the electronic module comprises at least one input attached to a photovoltaic panel, and at least one power output;

programming a current injector based on the measuring;

triggering a test module, wherein the triggering comprises;

activating a bypass between the at least one input of the electronic module and the at least one power output of the electronic module, wherein the activating of the bypass creates a low impedance path between the at least one input of the electronic module and the at least one power output of the electronic module; and

compensating for a presence of the electronic module by injecting, by the current injector and based on the programming, a current into the electronic module.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

selecting the circuit parameter from the group consisting of;

impedance, inductance, resistance, and capacitance.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

determining the current based on the measuring.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising operatively attaching the bypass via one of a reed switch, a reed relay switch, a solid state switch or a fuse.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the activating of the bypass comprises:

externally applying either an electromagnetic field or a magnetic field.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the electronic module performs selectably either:

DC to DC conversion or DC to AC inversion.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

performing, with the electronic module, maximum power point tracking.