SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF MONITORING AND DIAGNOSING THE PERFORMANCE OF PHOTOVOLTAIC OR OTHER RENEWABLE POWER PLANTS
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring an efficiency of an energy converter comprising:
- a module configured to determine an amount that an output of the energy converter differs from a predicted output for the energy converter.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Energy converters are monitored to ensure that they are operating at acceptable levels. An expected output is predicted using mathematical modeling and compared to the actual output generated by the energy converter. When the difference is above a predetermined threshold, the level of underperformance, along with other parameters, are used to determine a possible cause of underperformance and actions that can be taken to increase the output to acceptable levels. The cause and actions are transmitted to personnel, who are dispatched to service the underperforming energy converter. By centrally locating the mathematical modeling, monitoring, and dispatching, multiple PV modules can be managed from a remote location. When monitoring photovoltaic modules, an irradiation sensor employs multiple photosensors oriented to detect not only the normal components of sunlight but also directional, diffused components of sunlight, thereby increasing the accuracy of the mathematical modeling.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring an efficiency of an energy converter comprising:
a module configured to determine an amount that an output of the energy converter differs from a predicted output for the energy converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for monitoring an efficiency of a photovoltaic array comprising:
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a monitor configured to measure an output of the photovoltaic array; and a first module configured to determine an amount the output differs from a predicted output of the photovoltaic array. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system comprising:
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a first module configured to determine underperformance values of multiple energy conversion units in multiple different geographic locations; and a second module configured to determine for each of the underperformance values a possible cause of underperformance, a strategy for diagnosing a cause of the underperformance, and a corresponding remedial action. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method of monitoring a performance of an energy converter comprising:
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determining an underperformance for the energy converter; and determining a remedial action for increasing the output. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A device comprising:
multiple light detectors directed in different directions, wherein the device is configured to determine irradiance impinging on the multiple light detectors. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A device for measuring irradiance comprising:
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a pyranometer directed along a central axis of a frusto-conical surface; and multiple photosensors distributed about the frusto-conical surface. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A system for monitoring an efficiency of a photovoltaic array comprising:
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a module configured to determine an amount that an output of the photovoltaic array differs from a predicted output for the photovoltaic array; and an irradiance sensor adjacent to the photovoltaic array, wherein the irradiance sensor comprises multiple light detectors directed in different directions and an opaque light shield that entirely overlies a portion of the multiple light detectors.
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Specification