Photovoltaic module, photovoltaic module array, photovoltaic system, and method of detecting failure of photovoltaic module

• US 6,515,215 B1
• Filed: 03/12/1999
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Mimura, Toshihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Pyon, Harold
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miggins, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US09/266,830
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/290, 136/291, 136/293, 363/80, 363/79, 363/95, 323/906, 323/299
• US Class Current: 136/244
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/044 including bypass diodes bypass diodes in the junction box H02S40/34
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/293 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/906 Solar cell systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaics and a signal generation means for generating a signal by application of a voltage, wherein the photovoltaics and the signal generating means are connected in parallel and the voltage is a voltage output by the photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with at least the signal generating means, thereby enabling detection of and detect a failed photovoltaic module, regardless of the structure of a photovoltaic module array or the failure mode of the photovoltaic module.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic module comprising photovoltaics and a signal generating means for generating a signal by application of a voltage,

wherein said photovoltaics and said signal generating means are connected in parallel, the voltage is a voltage outputted by at least said photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with said signal generating means, said signal generating means and said photovoltaics are provided within a wiring of said photovoltaic module, said signal generating means includes a switching means, a circuit of which is closed or opened with light or magnetic field, and said signal generating means outputs a signal only when light or magnetic field is applied to said switching means.

2. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

3. The photovoltaic module according to claim 2, wherein said signal generating means is a light emitting means, a magnetic field generating means, an electric field generating means, a mechanical displacement generating means, a color development means or a combination thereof.

4. The photovoltaic module according to claim 2, further comprising a bypass diode, wherein said photovoltaics, said signal generating means and said bypass diode are connected in parallel.

5. The photovoltaic module according to claim 2, further comprising a construction material integrated with said photovoltaic module.

6. The photovoltaic module according to claim 5, further comprising a roof panel member integrated with said photovoltaic module.

7. The photovoltaic module according to claim 6, wherein said signal generating means is provided in the roof panel member.

8. A photovoltaic module comprising photovoltaics and a discrimination means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined voltage,

wherein said discrimination means includes a signal generating means for generating a signal in response to a signal generated by said discrimination means, said photovoltaics and said discrimination means are connected in parallel, the voltage is a voltage outputted by at least said photovoltaics which is connected in parallel with said discrimination means, said discrimination means and said photovoltaics are provided within a wiring of said photovoltaic module, said signal generating means includes a switching means, a circuit of which is closed or opened with light or magnetic field, and said signal generating means outputs a signal only when light or magnetic field is applied to said switching means.

9. The photovoltaic module according to claim 8, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

10. The photovoltaic module according to claim 9, wherein said signal generating means is a light emitting means, a magnetic field generating means, an electric field generating means, a mechanical displacement generating means, a color development means or a combination thereof.

11. The photovoltaic module according to claim 9, further comprising a bypass diode, wherein said photovoltaics, said discrimination means and said bypass diode are connected in parallel.

12. The photovoltaic module according to claim 9, further comprising a construction material integrated with said photovoltaic module.

13. The photovoltaic module according to claim 12, further comprising a roof panel member integrated with said photovoltaic module.

14. The photovoltaic module according to claim 13, wherein said discrimination means and said signal generating means are provided in the roof panel member.

15. A photovoltaic module comprising photovoltaics and a signal generating means for generating a signal by application of an electrical power,

wherein said photovoltaics and said signal generating means are connected in parallel and in series, said signal generating means and said photovoltaics are provided within a wiring of said photovoltaic module, said signal generating means includes a switching means, a circuit of which is closed or opened with light or magnetic field, and said signal generating means outputs a signal only when light or magnetic field is applied to said switching means.

16. The photovoltaic module according to claim 15, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, a string composed of plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

17. The photovoltaic module according to claim 16, wherein said signal generating means is a light emitting means, a magnetic field generating means, an electric field generating means, a mechanical displacement generating means, a color development means or a combination thereof.

18. The photovoltaic module according to claim 16, further comprising a bypass diode, wherein said photovoltaics and said bypass diode are connected in parallel.

19. The photovoltaic module according to claim 16, further comprising a construction material integrated with said photovoltaic module.

20. The photovoltaic module according to claim 19, further comprising a roof panel member to be integrated with said photovoltaic module.

21. The photovoltaic module according to claim 20, wherein said signal generating means is provided in the roof panel member.

22. A photovoltaic module comprising photovoltaics and a discrimination means for generating a signal by application of a predetermined electric power,

wherein said discrimination means includes a signal generation means for generating a signal in response to a signal generated by said discrimination means, said photovoltaics and said discrimination means are connected in parallel and in series, said discrimination means and said photovoltaics are provided within a wiring of said photovoltaic module, said signal generating means includes a switching means, a circuit of which is closed or opened with light or magnetic field, and said signal generating means outputs a signal only when light or magnetic field is applied to said switching means.

23. The photovoltaic module according to claim 22, wherein said photovoltaics comprises a single photovoltaic cell, a string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series, or a parallel member composed of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in parallel.

24. The photovoltaic module according to claim 23, wherein said signal generating means is a light emitting means, a magnetic field generating means, an electric field generating means, a mechanical displacement generating means, a color development means or a combination thereof.

25. The photovoltaic module according to claim 23, further comprising a bypass diode, wherein said photovoltaics and said bypass diode are connected in parallel.

26. The photovoltaic module according to claim 23, further comprising a construction material integrated with said photovoltaic module.

27. The photovoltaic module according to claim 26, further comprising a roof panel member integrated with said photovoltaic module.

28. The photovoltaic module according to claim 27, wherein said discrimination means and said signal generating means are provided in said roof panel member.