Photovoltaic module, photovoltaic module array, photovoltaic system, and method of detecting failure of photovoltaic module

• US 20030062078A1
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Mimura, Toshihiko
• Granted Patent: US 6,979,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/244
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/044 including bypass diodes bypass diodes in the junction box H02S40/34
• 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: Y10S 136/291 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/293 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/906 Solar cell systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaics and a signal generation means for generating a signal by application of a voltage, wherein the photovoltaics and the signal generating means are connected in parallel and the voltage is a voltage output by the photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with at least the signal generating means, thereby enabling detection of a failed photovoltaic module, regardless of the structure of a photovoltaic module array or the failure mode of the photovoltaic module.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaics and a signal generating means for generating a signal by application of a voltage, wherein said photovoltaics and said signal generating means are connected in parallel and the voltage is a voltage outputted by at least said photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with said signal generating means.

2. A photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

3. A photovoltaic module according to claim 2, wherein said signal generating means is a light emitting means, a magnetic field generating means, an electric field generating means, a mechanical displacement generating means, a color development means or a combination thereof.

4. A photovoltaic module according to claim 2, wherein said signal generating means includes a switching means.

5. A photovoltaic module according to claim 2, further comprising a bypass diode, wherein said photovoltaics, said signal generating means and said bypass diode are connected in parallel.

6. A photovoltaic module according to claim 2, further comprising a construction material to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

7. A photovoltaic module according to claim 6, further comprising a roof panel member to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

8. A photovoltaic module according to claim 7, wherein said signal generating means is provided in the roof panel member.

9. A photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaics and a discrimination means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined voltage, wherein said discrimination means includes a signal generating means for generating a signal in response to a signal generated by said discrimination means, said photovoltaics and said discrimination means are connected in parallel and the voltage is a voltage outputted by at least said photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with said discrimination means.

10. A photovoltaic module according to claim 9, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

11. A photovoltaic module according to claim 10, wherein said signal generating means is a light emitting means, a magnetic field generating means, an electric field generating means, a mechanical displacement generating means, a color development means or a combination thereof.

12. A photovoltaic module according to claim 10, wherein said signal generating means includes a switching means.

13. A photovoltaic module according to claim 10, further comprising a bypass diode, wherein said photovoltaics, said discrimination means and said bypass diode are connected in parallel.

14. A photovoltaic module according to claim 10, further comprising with a construction material to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

15. A photovoltaic module according to claim 14, further comprising a roof panel member to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

16. A photovoltaic module according to claim 15, wherein said-discrimination means and said signal generating means are provided in the roof panel member.

17. A photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaics and a signal generating means for generating a signal by application of an electrical power, wherein said photovoltaics and said signal generating means are connected in parallel and in series.

18. A photovoltaic module according to claim 17, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

19. A photovoltaic module according to claim 18, wherein said signal generating means is a light emitting means, a magnetic field generating means, an electric field generating means, a mechanical displacement generating means, a color development means or a combination thereof.

20. A photovoltaic module according to claim 18, wherein said signal generating means includes a switching means.

21. A photovoltaic module according to claim 18, further comprising a bypass diode, wherein said photovoltaics and said bypass diode are connected in parallel.

22. A photovoltaic module according to claim 18, further comprising a construction material to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

23. A photovoltaic module according to claim 22, further comprising a roof panel member to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

24. A photovoltaic module according to claim 23, wherein said signal generating means is provided in the roof panel member.

25. A photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaics and a discrimination means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined electric power, wherein said discrimination means includes a signal generation means for generating a signal in response to a signal generated by said discrimination means, and said photovoltaics and said discrimination means are connected in parallel and in series.

26. A photovoltaic module according to claim 25, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

27. A photovoltaic module according to claim 26, wherein said signal generating means is a light emitting means, a magnetic field generating means, an electric field generating means, a mechanical displacement generating means, a color development means or a combination thereof.

28. A photovoltaic module according to claim 26, wherein said signal generating means includes a switching means.

29. A photovoltaic module according to claim 26, further comprising a bypass diode, wherein said photovoltaics and said bypass diode are connected in parallel.

30. A photovoltaic module according to claim 26, further comprising a construction material to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

31. A photovoltaic module according to claim 30, further comprising a roof panel member to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

32. A photovoltaic module according to claim 31, wherein said discrimination means and said signal generating means are provided in said roof panel member.

33. A photovoltaic module array comprising photovoltaic modules each comprising a photovoltaics and a signal generating means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined voltage, wherein said photovoltaics and said signal generating means are connected in parallel and the voltage is a voltage outputted by at least said photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with said signal generating means.

34. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 33, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

35. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 34, wherein a wiring for mutually electrically connecting said photovoltaic modules is provided at a position other than a surface of said photovoltaic module.

36. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 34, further comprising a blocking diode.

37. A photovoltaic module array comprising photovoltaic modules each comprising a photovoltaics and a discrimination means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined voltage, wherein said discrimination means includes signal generating means for generating a signal in response to a signal generated by said discrimination means, said photovoltaics and said discrimination means are connected in parallel and the voltage is a voltage outputted by at least said photovoltaics which is connected with said discrimination means in parallel.

38. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 37, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

39. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 38, wherein a wiring for mutually electrically connecting said photovoltaic modules is provided at a position other than a surface of said photovoltaic module.

40. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 38, further comprising a blocking diode.

41. A photovoltaic module array comprising photovoltaic modules each comprising a photovoltaics and a signal generating means for generating a signal by application of an electric power, wherein said photovoltaics and said signal generating means are connected in parallel and in series.

42. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 41, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

43. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 42, wherein a wiring for mutually electrically connecting said photovoltaic modules is provided at a position other than the surface of said photovoltaic module.

44. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 42, further comprising a blocking diode.

45. A photovoltaic module array comprising photovoltaic modules each comprising a photovoltaics and a discrimination means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined electric power, wherein said discrimination means includes a signal generating means for generating a signal in response to a signal generated by said discrimination means, and said photovoltaics and said discrimination means are connected in parallel and in series.

46. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 45, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

47. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 46, wherein a wiring for mutually electrically connecting said photovoltaic modules is provided at a position other than a surface of said photovoltaic module.

48. A photovoltaic module array according to claim 46, further comprising a blocking diode.

49. A photovoltaic system comprising a photovoltaic module array composed of photovoltaic modules each comprising a photovoltaics and a signal generating means for generating a signal by application of a voltage, wherein said photovoltaics and said signal generating means are connected in parallel and said voltage is a voltage outputted by at least said photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with said signal generating means.

50. A photovoltaic system according to claim 49, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

51. A photovoltaic system comprising a photovoltaic module array composed of photovoltaic modules each comprising a photovoltaics and a discrimination means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined voltage, wherein said discrimination means includes a signal generating means for generating a signal in response to a signal generated by said discrimination means, said photovoltaics and said discrimination means are connected in parallel and said voltage is a voltage outputted by at least said photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with said discrimination means.

52. A photovoltaic system according to claim 51, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series or parallel.

53. A photovoltaic system comprises a photovoltaic module array composed of photovoltaic modules each comprises a photovoltaics and a signal generating means for generating a signal by application of an electric power, wherein said photovoltaics and said signal generating means are connected in parallel and in series.

54. A photovoltaic system according to claim 53, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

55. A photovoltaic system comprising a photovoltaic module array composed of photovoltaic modules each comprising a photovoltaics and a discrimination means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined electric power, wherein said discrimination means includes a signal generating means for generating a signal in response to a signal generated by said discrimination means, and said photovoltaics and said discrimination means are connected in parallel and in series.

56. A photovoltaic system according to claim 55, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, or a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

57. A method of detecting a failed photovoltaic module, which comprises obtaining information based on at least an operation voltage of each photovoltaic module, and searching presence or absence of failure in each photovoltaic module constituting a photovoltaic module array.

58. A method of for detecting a failed photovoltaic module, which comprises obtaining the information based at least on the operation electric power of each photovoltaic module, and searching presence or absence of failure in each photovoltaic module constituting a photovoltaic module array.