Automatic generation and analysis of solar cell IV curves
First Claim
1. A method of automatically generating and analyzing solar cell current-voltage (IV) curves, the method comprising:
- varying a DC load presented to a first string of solar panels in a plurality of strings of solar panels, each string of solar panels in the plurality of strings of solar panels comprising a plurality of serially-connected solar panels, each solar panel in the plurality of serially-connected solar panels comprising a plurality of serially-connected solar cells mounted on a same frame;
sensing voltages and currents generated by the first string of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load; and
receiving data indicative of an environmental parameter; and
a computer automatically generating a first IV curve of the first string of solar panels by plotting the voltages and currents generated by the first string of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photovoltaic system includes multiple strings of solar panels and a device presenting a DC load to the strings of solar panels. Output currents of the strings of solar panels may be sensed and provided to a computer that generates current-voltage (IV) curves of the strings of solar panels. Output voltages of the string of solar panels may be sensed at the string or at the device presenting the DC load. The DC load may be varied. Output currents of the strings of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load are sensed to generate IV curves of the strings of solar panels. IV curves may be compared and analyzed to evaluate performance of and detect problems with a string of solar panels.
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of automatically generating and analyzing solar cell current-voltage (IV) curves, the method comprising:
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varying a DC load presented to a first string of solar panels in a plurality of strings of solar panels, each string of solar panels in the plurality of strings of solar panels comprising a plurality of serially-connected solar panels, each solar panel in the plurality of serially-connected solar panels comprising a plurality of serially-connected solar cells mounted on a same frame; sensing voltages and currents generated by the first string of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load; and receiving data indicative of an environmental parameter; and a computer automatically generating a first IV curve of the first string of solar panels by plotting the voltages and currents generated by the first string of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20)
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10. A photovoltaic system comprising:
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a plurality of strings of solar panels, each string of solar panels in the plurality of strings of solar panels comprising a plurality of serially-connected solar panels, each solar panel in the plurality of serially-connected solar panels comprising a plurality of serially-connected solar cells mounted on a same frame; a current sensor circuit in each string of solar panels in the plurality of strings of solar panels; and a computer configured to; receive sensor data from the current sensor circuit in each string of solar panels in the plurality of strings of solar panels, receive environmental data, and generate a current-voltage (IV) curve of a first string of solar panels in the plurality of solar panels by plotting currents and voltages generated by the first string of solar panels responsive to variation of a DC load presented to the first string of solar panels over a first period of time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of automatically generating and analyzing solar cell current-voltage (IV) curves, the method comprising:
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controlling a device to vary a DC load presented to a plurality of strings of solar panels; sensing currents and voltages generated by a first string of solar panels in the plurality of strings of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load; and generating a first IV curve of the first string of solar panels by plotting the currents and voltages generated by the first string of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification