ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LARGE SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A solar panel system comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected together in panels, and thence in one or more panel strings, connected to an inverter and in turn connected to an AC distribution grid; and
a signal generator module connected to the one or more photovoltaic panel strings operable to produce and inject a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings; and
a detector module operable to receive and analyze a frequency response echo from each of the panel strings to confirm integrity of the solar panel system.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A solar panel system includes a plurality of the panels connected together in one or more panel strings. An embodiment includes a signal generator module connected to the photovoltaic panel strings injecting a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings and a detector module analyzing a frequency response echo from the panel strings. The signal generator may include a string coupling module communicating with a controller. The detector module analyzes the echo to obtain an analog fingerprint for each panel string and determine whether the fingerprint for each panel string is within an acceptable range. The detector module initiates an alarm when one of the fingerprints is outside the acceptable range. During night time, when no current is being produced by the photovoltaic cells, a DC or AC source may be connected to the panel strings to inject a signal onto the strings for the same purpose.
111 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A solar panel system comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected together in panels, and thence in one or more panel strings, connected to an inverter and in turn connected to an AC distribution grid; and a signal generator module connected to the one or more photovoltaic panel strings operable to produce and inject a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings; and a detector module operable to receive and analyze a frequency response echo from each of the panel strings to confirm integrity of the solar panel system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected together in panels, and thence in one or more panel strings, connected to an inverter and in turn connected to an AC distribution grid; providing a signature generator module connected to the one or more panel strings; injecting a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings via the signal generator module; receiving a frequency response echo from each of the panel strings; and analyzing the frequency response echo from each of the panel strings to confirm integrity of the solar panel system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for confirming integrity of a solar panel system comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected together in panels, wherein the panels are connected together in panel strings, the apparatus comprising:
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a signal generator module connected to the one or more photovoltaic panel strings operable to produce and inject a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings; and a detector module operable to receive and analyze a frequency response echo from each of the panel strings to confirm integrity of the solar panel system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification