Protecting solar panels from damage due to overheating
US11876484B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2022 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02S40/40
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for protecting solar panels from damage due to overheating. A system comprises a solar panel and a control system. The solar panel comprises a plurality of solar cells, and a plurality of thermochromic temperature sensors thermally coupled to different areas of the solar panel. The thermochromic temperature sensors are configured to change color in response to heat generated by the solar cells in the different areas of the solar panel. The control system is configured to detect colors of the thermochromic temperature sensors, determine a temperature of each area of the solar panel based on the detected colors of the thermochromic temperature sensors, and cause the solar panel to shut down in response to determining that the temperature of at least one area of the solar panel exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.