Testing of a photovoltaic panel

• US 20090146667A1
• Filed: 12/04/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Binder, Yaron, Glovinski, Tzachi, Galin, Yoav, Fishelov, Amir, Adest, Meir, Sella, Guy, Handelsman, Lior, Gazit, Meir
• Granted Patent: US 8,324,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/537
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 50/10 Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells testing of semiconductor devices during manufacturing H01L22/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A method for testing a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module. The electronic module has at least one input attached to the photovoltaic panel and at least one power output. The method of testing the photovoltaic panel begins with activating a bypass of the electronic module. The bypass is preferably activated by applying a magnetic or an electromagnetic field. The bypass provides a low impedance path between the input and output of the electronic module.

Claims

1. A method for testing a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module, said electronic module including at least one input attached to said photovoltaic panel and at least one power output, the method comprising the step of:

activating a bypass to said electronic module;

wherein said bypass provides a low impedance path between said at least one power output and said at least one input of said electronic module.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

permanently attaching the electronic module to the photovoltaic panel.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said activating includes externally applying selectably either an electromagnetic field or a magnetic field

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic module performs selectably either:

DC to DC conversion, DC to AC conversion or maximum power point tracking.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic module performs maximum power point tracking to maximize power at selectably either:

the at least one input or the least one power output.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said bypass includes selectably either a reed switch, a reed relay switch, a solid state switch or a fuse.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said bypass includes a fuse and wherein a parallel connected switch is disposed between and connected in parallel with the photovoltaic panel and the electronic module, the method further comprising the steps of:

connecting a power supply unit across the outputs of the electronic module; and

closing the switch to provide a low impedance path across the fuse, thereby blowing of fuse.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said parallel-connected switch is selected from a group comprising of a silicon controlled rectifier, reed switch, solid state switch, reed relay.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said bypass includes a fuse further comprising the step

connecting a power supply directly across said fuse, wherein current flow from the power supply, de-activates the bypass by blowing said fuse.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said bypass includes a solid state switch.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

de-activating said bypass of the electronic module.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said de-activating said bypass is performed by communicating with the electronic module.

13. A device for testing a photovoltaic panel system including a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module, said electronic module including at least one input attached to said photovoltaic panel and at least one power output, the system comprising:

a bypass to said electronic module, wherein said bypass provides a low impedance path between said at least one power output and said at least one input of said electronic module.

14. The device, according claim 13, wherein said bypass includes a bypass component selected from the group consisting of:

at least one switch and at least one fuse, said bypass component connecting the at least one power output and the at least one input of the electronic module.

15. The device, according claim 14, wherein said at least one switch includes selectably either:

a magnetically activated reed switch,

an electro-magnetically activated reed relay switch;

or

a solid state switch.

16. The device, according claim 13, wherein said electronic module performs selectably either:

DC to DC conversion;

maximum power point tracking;

or DC to AC conversion.

17. A device for testing a photovoltaic panel system including a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module, the electronic module including at least one input attached to the photovoltaic panel and at least one power output, the device comprising:

a first single pole double throw switch, said single pole double throw switch including a common node, a first output node and a second output node;

a first single pole single throw switch including an input node and an output node;

a second single pole double throw switch, said single pole double throw switch including a common node, a first input node and a second input node;

an output node of the photovoltaic panel connected to said common node of said single pole double pole switch;

said first output node of said first single pole double throw switch connected to input node of the electronic module;

said second output node connected to input node of a first single pole single throw switch;

output node of said first single pole single throw switch connected to a first input node of said second single pole double throw switch;

output node of said electronic module connected to second input node of said second single pole double throw switch;