Systems and methods for mapping the connectivity topology of local management units in photovoltaic arrays
First Claim
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1. A solar photovoltaic power generation system, comprising:
- a set of power lines;
a plurality of photovoltaic panels;
a plurality of local management units, each of the plurality of local management units coupled between the set of power lines and a corresponding photovoltaic panel of the plurality of photovoltaic panels; and
a master management unit having;
a communications device adapted to transmit instructions to the plurality of local management units to stop the local management units outputting to the set of power lines one at a time and to receive power production information from the local management units outputting power to the set of power lines of the solar photovoltaic power generation system, anda processor adapted to determine a topology of connections among the plurality of local management units on the set of power lines based at least in part on the power production information.
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Abstract
Provided are a system and method for determining a connectivity topology of local management units (LMUs) in a solar photovoltaic power generation (SPVPG) system. Each of the LMUs is connected within the SPVPG between a solar panel and a set of power lines of the SPVPG. The set of power lines connects the LMUs to form a network. The connectivity topology of LMUs in the network is determined using, for example, indirect indications of connections of an LMU and the SPVPG and indications of the physical location of the LMU with respect to other elements of the SPVPG.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A solar photovoltaic power generation system, comprising:
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a set of power lines; a plurality of photovoltaic panels; a plurality of local management units, each of the plurality of local management units coupled between the set of power lines and a corresponding photovoltaic panel of the plurality of photovoltaic panels; and a master management unit having; a communications device adapted to transmit instructions to the plurality of local management units to stop the local management units outputting to the set of power lines one at a time and to receive power production information from the local management units outputting power to the set of power lines of the solar photovoltaic power generation system, and a processor adapted to determine a topology of connections among the plurality of local management units on the set of power lines based at least in part on the power production information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A solar photovoltaic power generation system, comprising:
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a set of power lines; a plurality of photovoltaic panels; a plurality of local management units, each of the plurality of local management units coupled between the set of power lines and a corresponding photovoltaic panel of the plurality of photovoltaic panels; a transmitter adapted to transmit a signal to the local management units; a receiver adapted to receive at least one response to the signal; and a master management unit comprising; a communications device adapted to communicate information with the local management units connected to the set of power lines of the solar photovoltaic power generation system, and a processor adapted to determine a topology of connections among the plurality of local management units on the set of power lines based at least in part on the at least one response. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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receiving identification information of a plurality of local management units in a solar photovoltaic power generation system having a plurality of photovoltaic panels, each of the plurality of local management units coupled between a corresponding one of the plurality of photovoltaic panels and a set of power lines of the solar photovoltaic power generation system; transmitting a command addressed to a first local management unit of the plurality of local management units based on the identification information, the command to instruct the first local management to change power output from a first photovoltaic panel of the plurality of photovoltaic panels, the first photovoltaic panel controlled by the first local management unit; after transmitting the command to the first local management unit, receiving first power production information from at least one of the plurality of local management units other than the first local management unit; and determining a topology of connections of the first local management unit within the solar photovoltaic power generation system based on the first power production information. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification