Anti-theft system and method using a multiple radio frequency signal for solar panel systems

US9000919B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tigo Energy, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ron Hadar · Cupertino, US
• Daniel Eizips · Sunnyvale, US
• Gil Katzir · San Jose, US
• Luiz Felipe Fuks · Fremont, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 27, 2013
• Grant date: Apr 7, 2015
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A solar panel system includes a plurality of the panels connected together in one or more panel strings. An embodiment includes a signal generator module connected to the photovoltaic panel strings injecting a multiple radio frequency signal onto each of the strings and a detector module analyzing a frequency response echo from the panel strings. The signal generator may include a string coupling module communicating with a controller. The detector module analyzes the echo to obtain an analog fingerprint for each panel string and determine whether the fingerprint for each panel string is within an acceptable range. The detector module initiates an alarm when one of the fingerprints is outside the acceptable range. During night time, when no current is being produced by the photovoltaic cells, a DC or AC source may be connected to the panel strings to inject a signal onto the strings for the same purpose.