Solar array condition monitoring through controlled inverter voltage sweeping
US9515602B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 2013 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A PV system includes an irradiance meter to measure solar irradiance received by a PV array in the system. A PV inverter is electrically connected to the PV array via a DC link to regulate the voltage of the PV array. A controller receives an input from the irradiance meter regarding the solar irradiance received by the PV array, causes the PV inverter to alter the operating voltage of the PV array to each of a plurality of voltage values, detects current values in the PV array responsive to the altering of the voltage to each of the voltage values, and generates a power performance curve for the PV array based on the voltage values at which the PV array is operated and the detected current values, with the power performance curve being generated at a known level of solar irradiance based on the input from the irradiance meter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.