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Title: Automatic generation and analysis of solar cell IV curves

Abstract

A photovoltaic system includes multiple strings of solar panels and a device presenting a DC load to the strings of solar panels. Output currents of the strings of solar panels may be sensed and provided to a computer that generates current-voltage (IV) curves of the strings of solar panels. Output voltages of the string of solar panels may be sensed at the string or at the device presenting the DC load. The DC load may be varied. Output currents of the strings of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load are sensed to generate IV curves of the strings of solar panels. IV curves may be compared and analyzed to evaluate performance of and detect problems with a string of solar panels.

Inventors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
SunPower Corporation, San Jose, CA (USA)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1134057
Patent Number(s):
8,744,791
Application Number:
13/053,770
Assignee:
SunPower Corporation (San Jose, CA)
DOE Contract Number:  
FC36-07G017043
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY

Citation Formats

Kraft, Steven M., and Jones, Jason C. Automatic generation and analysis of solar cell IV curves. United States: N. p., 2014. Web.
Kraft, Steven M., & Jones, Jason C. Automatic generation and analysis of solar cell IV curves. United States.
Kraft, Steven M., and Jones, Jason C. 2014. "Automatic generation and analysis of solar cell IV curves". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1134057.
@article{osti_1134057,
title = {Automatic generation and analysis of solar cell IV curves},
author = {Kraft, Steven M. and Jones, Jason C.},
abstractNote = {A photovoltaic system includes multiple strings of solar panels and a device presenting a DC load to the strings of solar panels. Output currents of the strings of solar panels may be sensed and provided to a computer that generates current-voltage (IV) curves of the strings of solar panels. Output voltages of the string of solar panels may be sensed at the string or at the device presenting the DC load. The DC load may be varied. Output currents of the strings of solar panels responsive to the variation of the DC load are sensed to generate IV curves of the strings of solar panels. IV curves may be compared and analyzed to evaluate performance of and detect problems with a string of solar panels.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1134057}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2014},
month = {Tue Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2014}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Distributed Power Harvesting Systems Using DC Power Sources
patent-application, June 2008


Monitoring of Distributed Power Harvesting Systems Using DC Power Sources
patent-application, June 2008


Detection and Prevention of Hot Spots in a Solar Panel
patent-application, August 2012


Automatic Generation And Analysis Of Solar Cell IV Curves
patent-application, September 2012


System and Method for Local String Management Unit
patent-application, October 2012


Idealized Solar Panel
patent-application, October 2012


System and Method for Local String Management Unit
patent-application, January 2013


Measured Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Panels—Round 2
journal, October 2004


Measured Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Panels*
journal, March 2001