SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND CLASSIFICATION OF LOSSES FOR SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A system for analyzing the performance of a photovoltaic array, the system comprising:
- a memory;
a processor in communication with the memory, the processor operable to execute computer readable medium instructions, comprising;
an expected output module that determines an expected power output of one or more photovoltaic strings and inverters of the photovoltaic array;
a performance module that identifies a photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected;
a loss quantifier module that;
receives the expected power output of the photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected;
compares the expected power output to an actual power output of the photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; and
determines a reason the photovoltaic string or inverter is generating less power than expected; and
a report module that, as a result of the computer readable medium instructions, generates output indicating the reason the photovoltaic string or inverter is generating less power than expected, and provides the report to a user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a system and method for analyzing and classifying the losses of a photovoltaic array. The system and method compares expected power output and to actual power output and can determine a photovoltaic string, combiner, or inverter is generating less power than expected due to at least one of snow cover, soiling, and inverter clipping. The system and method can then determine an amount of power lost during a period of time the photovoltaic string, combiner, or inverter is experiencing snow cover, soiling, or inverter clipping and determine a value of the amount of power lost during the period of time. Various user interfaces enable a user to view one or more reasons why a PV string, combiner or inverter is generating less power than expected and the value of the amount of power lost.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for analyzing the performance of a photovoltaic array, the system comprising:
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a memory; a processor in communication with the memory, the processor operable to execute computer readable medium instructions, comprising; an expected output module that determines an expected power output of one or more photovoltaic strings and inverters of the photovoltaic array; a performance module that identifies a photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; a loss quantifier module that; receives the expected power output of the photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; compares the expected power output to an actual power output of the photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; and determines a reason the photovoltaic string or inverter is generating less power than expected; and a report module that, as a result of the computer readable medium instructions, generates output indicating the reason the photovoltaic string or inverter is generating less power than expected, and provides the report to a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of analyzing the performance of a photovoltaic array, the method comprising:
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providing a non-transitory computer readable medium including an expected output module, a performance module, and a loss quantifier module associated with a computer processor; determining an expected power output of one or more photovoltaic strings and inverters of the photovoltaic array; identifying a photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; receive the expected power output of the photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; comparing, for the photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected, the expected power output to an actual power output; and determining a reason the photovoltaic string or inverter is generating less power than expected. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute a method of analyzing the performance of a photovoltaic array, the computer-readable instructions comprising:
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instructions to determine an expected power output of one or more photovoltaic strings and inverters of the photovoltaic array; instructions to identify a photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; instructions to receive the expected power output of the photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; instructions to compare the expected power output to an actual power output of the photovoltaic string or inverter that is generating less power than expected; instructions to determine a reason the photovoltaic string or inverter is generating less power than expected, wherein the reason the photovoltaic string or inverter is generating less power than expected is at least one of snow cover, soiling, and clipping; instructions to determine an amount of power lost during a period of time the photovoltaic string or inverter is generating less power than expected; instructions to determine a value of the amount of power lost; instructions to generate a report, wherein the report includes the reason, the amount of power lost during the period of time, and the value of the amount of power lost during the period of time; and instructions to display the report on at least one of a user interface display associated with a computer, a text message, an email message, or a printed report. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification