WO2022211754A1 - A system and method for controlling solar panels - Google Patents

A system and method for controlling solar panels Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2022211754A1
WO2022211754A1 PCT/TR2021/050810 TR2021050810W WO2022211754A1 WO 2022211754 A1 WO2022211754 A1 WO 2022211754A1 TR 2021050810 W TR2021050810 W TR 2021050810W WO 2022211754 A1 WO2022211754 A1 WO 2022211754A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
image
unit
air vehicle
providing
test images
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/TR2021/050810
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Firat Es
Ufuk PARALI
Huseyin Anil CEYRAN
Original Assignee
Kalyon Gunes Teknolojileri Uretim Anonim Sirketi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from TR2021/005802 external-priority patent/TR2021005802Y/en
Application filed by Kalyon Gunes Teknolojileri Uretim Anonim Sirketi filed Critical Kalyon Gunes Teknolojileri Uretim Anonim Sirketi
Publication of WO2022211754A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022211754A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S50/00—Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification
    • H02S50/10—Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells
    • H02S50/15—Testing of PV devices, e.g. of PV modules or single PV cells using optical means, e.g. using electroluminescence
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
    • G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
    • G01N21/95—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T7/00—Image analysis
    • G06T7/0002—Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
    • B64U2101/00—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
    • B64U2101/30—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for imaging, photography or videography
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2201/00—Features of devices classified in G01N21/00
    • G01N2201/02—Mechanical
    • G01N2201/021—Special mounting in general
    • G01N2201/0214—Airborne
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T2207/00—Indexing scheme for image analysis or image enhancement
    • G06T2207/10—Image acquisition modality
    • G06T2207/10032—Satellite or aerial image; Remote sensing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for providing controlling of solar panels.
  • Solar power plants are electricity production plants having very big number of solar panels.
  • the present invention relates to a system and method, for eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method where the control of solar panels is facilitated and accelerated.
  • the present invention is a system for providing controlling of solar panels.
  • the subject matter system comprises an air vehicle for floating over the solar panels and having a light emitting unit for sending a stimulating light to the solar panels, at least one image capturing unit for capturing the image of the solar panels, and a processor unit configured to control the flight of the air vehicle, said light emitting unit and the image capturing unit; said processor unit is configured to realize the following steps:
  • the processor unit is configured to realize the following steps for forming the amplitude image:
  • the processor unit is configured to realize the following steps for forming the phase image:
  • the system comprises a GPS module which detects the current position of the air vehicle; the processor unit is configured to record the position information, related to the solar panel of which said reference image and said test image (amplitude and phase image) are taken, in a memory unit.
  • the processor unit is configured to control the air vehicle in a manner accessing target coordinates in a memory unit comprising positions of solar panels and in a manner providing flying of the air vehicle to at least one of said coordinates.
  • the air vehicle comprises a first movement mechanism for adjusting orientation of the image capturing unit, a second movement mechanism for adjusting orientation of the light emitting unit, and a GPS module for detecting the current position of the air vehicle;
  • the processor unit is configured to control said first movement mechanism and said second movement mechanism;
  • the processor unit is configured to provide orientation of the image capturing unit and the light emitting unit to at least one solar panel by controlling the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism with respect to the target coordinates in the memory unit and the current position information taken from GPS module.
  • the processor unit is configured to correlate the coordinates of solar panels, where the light emitting unit and the image capturing unit are directed, with the received test image and the reference image and to record thereof to the memory unit.
  • said system comprises a central control unit; the air vehicle comprises a communication unit for providing communication of the processor unit and the central control unit.
  • the air vehicle comprises a battery; a photovoltaic receiver unit for transforming the light, which falls thereon, into electrical energy; a charge equipment for providing charging of said battery by the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic receiver unit; said system comprises a laser light emitter positioned on the base and for providing charging of the battery by sending laser light to said photovoltaic receiver unit.
  • the subject matter system comprises a base movement mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the laser light source, and a charge control unit configured to direct said laser light source towards the current position of the air vehicle.
  • said system comprises a tracking unit associated with the charge control unit for determining the current position of said air vehicle.
  • said light emitting unit comprises a light emitter, and a light modulator controlled by the processor unit for adjusting the characteristic of the light emitted by said light emitter.
  • the present invention is moreover a method for providing controlling of solar panels. Accordingly, the improvement is that the following steps realized by a processor unit of an air vehicle are provided:
  • the subject matter is a system comprising an air vehicle (100) which provides taking of images by flying over the solar panels (400) and which provides detection of the abnormalities from these images in solar panel (400) power plants.
  • the present invention is essentially a system which provides taking of a reference image of solar panels (400) and which provides taking of pluralities of test images by sending stimulating light and which detects the abnormalities and failures at the solar panel (400) in accordance with the differences between the phase image and the amplitude images obtained from the reference image and the test images.
  • the air vehicle (100) comprises a control unit (130).
  • the control unit (130) can control flight of the air vehicle (100).
  • the air vehicle (100) can preferably be an unmanned air vehicle (100) and particularly can be vehicles which can stay suspended in air thanks to its propellers.
  • the air vehicle (100) can comprise an image capturing unit (110) for providing taking of the image of solar panels (400).
  • the image capturing unit (110) can be a camera.
  • the air vehicle (100) also comprises a light emitting unit for transmitting light to solar panels (400).
  • the light emitting unit (120) also comprises a light emitter and a light modulator for changing the characteristic of the light emitted by said light emitter.
  • the mentioned characteristic can be wavelength and/or intensity.
  • the light modulator (122) is controlled by the control unit (130).
  • the control unit (130) can comprise a processor unit (131).
  • the processor unit (131) can be formed by one or more than one processor for controlling realization of flight and other tasks.
  • the control unit (130) can also comprise a memory unit (132).
  • the processor unit (131) is associated with the memory unit (132) in a manner realizing reading and writing of data.
  • the memory unit (132) can comprise memories or memory combinations which provide permanent and/or temporary storage of data.
  • the air vehicle (100) can also comprise a battery for operation of the flight equipment and for energizing of the other components.
  • the air vehicle (100) can comprise a photovoltaic receiver unit (162).
  • the photovoltaic receiver unit (162) can generate electrical energy when light, preferably laser light is directed thereon.
  • the photovoltaic receiver unit (162) operates by means of a principle like a solar panel.
  • Charging equipment (161) is provided between the photovoltaic receiver unit (162) and the battery.
  • the air vehicle (100) also comprises a GPS module (150).
  • the GPS module (150) detects the current position of the air vehicle (100).
  • the GPS module (150) is associated with the processor unit (131).
  • the air vehicle (100) can also comprise a communication unit (140) which provides communication of the processor unit (131) with the outer medium.
  • the communication unit (140) is configured to realize communication by means of radio waves.
  • a first movement mechanism (111) adjusts the orientation of the image capturing unit (110), and a second movement mechanism (123) adjusts the orientation of the light emitting unit.
  • the processor unit (131) provides control of the first movement mechanism (111) and the second movement mechanism (123) and provides directing of the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit to the desired solar panel (400).
  • the light emitting unit and the image capturing unit (110) are moved by a movement mechanism.
  • the system comprises a laser light emitter (210) positioned on the base for providing charging of the battery.
  • the orientation of the laser light emitter (210) can be adjusted by a base movement mechanism (220).
  • the base movement mechanism (220) is controlled by a charge control unit (230).
  • the charge control unit (230) and the control center are associated in a manner realizing data exchange.
  • the charge control unit (130) controls the movement mechanism in a manner providing detection of the current position of the air vehicle (100) and providing orientation of the laser light emitter (210) to the photovoltaic receiver unit (162). Determination of the current position of the air vehicle (100) can be realized by means of position and height information which taken from the GPS module (150) of the air vehicle (100). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the current position of the air vehicle (100) can be realized by another target locking method known in the art. For instance, the position of the air vehicle (100) can be detected by means of a camera, in other words, by means of a tracking unit, and the movement mechanism can be locked in this position.
  • the air vehicle (100) can comprise various markers for facilitating detection of the position thereof.
  • the processor unit (131) receives as input the position information of the solar panels which will be controlled.
  • the processor unit (131) provides flying of the air vehicle (100) to the received position or to the vicinity of the received position.
  • the processor unit (131) then provides the image capturing unit (110) to take a reference image of at least one solar panel (400) and provides sending of stimulating light to the solar panel (400), of which the reference image is taken, by the light emitting unit and provides taking of pluralities of test images of the solar panel (400) where stimulating light is sent.
  • the light emitting unit can be led arrays which emit light at wavelengths for instance between 850-914 nm. Afterwards, the test images are summed up, and an amplitude image and a phase image are obtained.
  • the processor unit (131) can record the test images and the reference images by correlating thereof with the position information.
  • the processor unit (131) detects the position thereof with respect to the solar panels (400) by using the position of a solar panel (400) and its own position. Then, with respect to the detected position, the processor unit (131) can provide orientation of the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit such that the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit are facing to said solar panel (400).
  • the processor unit (131) then records the received reference image, the test images and the phase image and the amplitude image together with the position of the solar panel (400) at which the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit are oriented.
  • the formation of the phase image and the amplitude image is as follows: A sinusoidal first signal is accessed. For each test image, one each amplitude values are determined from the first signal such that said one each amplitude values are directly proportional with the time intervals where the sequential test images are taken. Coefficients are obtained which are directly proportional with the determined amplitude values. The sequential test images are multiplied with the related coefficient. An amplitude image is obtained by summing up the multiplied sequential test images.
  • the amplitude values here are selected in a manner spreading to a period of the first signal or to an exact multiple of the period, and in more details, the amplitude values are selected symmetrically with respect to the middle of the period. In other words, the amplitude values are selected such that when the negative amplitude values and the positive amplitude values are summed up, they zero each other.
  • a second signal is accessed which has sinusoidal structure and which has phase difference between said first signal and itself.
  • Said second signal preferably has cosine form and in other words, it has phase difference of 90 degrees with respect to the first signal.
  • For each test image one each amplitude values are determined from the second signal such that said one each amplitude values are directly proportional with the time intervals where the sequential test images are taken. Coefficients are obtained which are directly proportional with the determined amplitude values.
  • the sequential test images are multiplied with the related coefficient.
  • the multiplied sequential test images are summed up and a phase image is obtained.
  • the amplitude values are selected in a manner spreading to a period of the second signal or to an exact multiple of the period, and in more details, the amplitude values are selected symmetrically with respect to the middle of the period. In other words, the amplitude values are selected such that when the negative amplitude values and the positive amplitude values are summed up, they zero each other.
  • Abnormalities are detected by comparing at least one of the phase image and the amplitude image with the reference image.
  • said abnormalities are points where efficiency and function losses occur which are defined as deformation or hotspot which occurs due to reasons like undesired items like dust, dirt, etc. which cover the solar panel (400) and cracks due to physical damage in the solar panel or various reasons. Since the parts where such abnormalities exist give reactions to the stimulating light which are different from the reactions of the regions which have no abnormalities, detection can be realized from the differences between the reference image and the phase image and the amplitude image by means of image processing methods.
  • the processor unit (131) provides the air vehicle (100) to fly in a manner realizing scanning so as to receive the image of each of the solar panels (400) which exist in a pre-selected region.
  • Photovoltaic receiver unit 210 Laser light emitter

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Control Of Position, Course, Altitude, Or Attitude Of Moving Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is a system for providing controlling of solar panels. Accordingly, the subject matter system comprises an air vehicle (100) for floating over the solar panels and having a light emitting unit for sending a stimulating light to the solar panels (400), at least one image capturing unit (110) for capturing the image of the solar panels (400), and a processor unit (131) configured to control the flight of the air vehicle (100), said light emitting unit and the image capturing unit; said processor unit (131) is configured to realize the following steps: providing capturing of at least one reference image of at least one of solar panels by means of said image capturing unit (110); providing sending of stimulating light to the solar panel, of which the reference image is captured, by means of said light emitting unit, providing capturing of at least one test image of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent, providing capturing of pluralities of test images of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent, obtaining at least one of a phase image and an amplitude image by using at least two test images, detecting whether there is abnormality in the solar panel (400) in accordance with the differences between the images by comparing at least one of said amplitude image and said phase images with the reference image.

Description

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SOLAR PANELS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a system for providing controlling of solar panels.
PRIOR ART
Solar power plants are electricity production plants having very big number of solar panels.
After the installation of the field is completed for big-scale solar panel power plants, a lifetime, which is dependent on the producer, is given for each solar panel. For such panels, essentially 25 years of lifetime is given, and this duration changes according to the base conditions where the field exists or according to the weather conditions. After specific duration, conditions like hotspots, breakages, cell deteriorations dependent on temperature, etc. occur on solar panels. Moreover, dust accumulates on the panels due to the medium conditions where the power plant exists, and the accumulated dusts decrease the lifetime of solar panels and decrease electricity generation. Such abnormalities and faults must be detected, and solar panels must be repaired or changed.
Since pluralities of solar panels are placed in big-scaled solar power plants, measurement of the final condition of the solar panels one by one or visually leads to excessive time loss. Particularly when a power plant using millions of solar panels is considered, realization of the detection of dirt or detection of the health of panels one by one can last for days and even months.
As a result, because of the abovementioned problems, an improvement is required in the related technical field.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method, for eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field. An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method where the control of solar panels is facilitated and accelerated.
In order to realize the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention is a system for providing controlling of solar panels. Accordingly, the subject matter system comprises an air vehicle for floating over the solar panels and having a light emitting unit for sending a stimulating light to the solar panels, at least one image capturing unit for capturing the image of the solar panels, and a processor unit configured to control the flight of the air vehicle, said light emitting unit and the image capturing unit; said processor unit is configured to realize the following steps:
- providing capturing of at least one reference image of at least one of solar panels by means of said image capturing unit;
- providing sending of stimulating light to the solar panel, of which the reference image is captured, by means of said light emitting unit,
- providing capturing of at least one test image of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,
- providing capturing of pluralities of test images of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,
- obtaining at least one of a phase image and an amplitude image by using at least two test images,
- detecting whether there is abnormality in the solar panel in accordance with the differences between the images by comparing at least one of said amplitude image and said phase images with the reference image.
Thus, solar panels are controlled in an accelerated manner, and the faults are detected.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit is configured to realize the following steps for forming the amplitude image:
- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values distributed to a period or period multiples and which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a first sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between,
- summing up test images multiplied by coefficients, and obtaining the amplitude image.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit is configured to realize the following steps for forming the phase image:
- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a second sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between and which has 90 degrees of phase difference with respect to a first sinusoidal signal,
- summing up sequential test images multiplied by coefficients, and obtaining the phase image.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a GPS module which detects the current position of the air vehicle; the processor unit is configured to record the position information, related to the solar panel of which said reference image and said test image (amplitude and phase image) are taken, in a memory unit.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit is configured to control the air vehicle in a manner accessing target coordinates in a memory unit comprising positions of solar panels and in a manner providing flying of the air vehicle to at least one of said coordinates.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the air vehicle comprises a first movement mechanism for adjusting orientation of the image capturing unit, a second movement mechanism for adjusting orientation of the light emitting unit, and a GPS module for detecting the current position of the air vehicle; the processor unit is configured to control said first movement mechanism and said second movement mechanism; the processor unit is configured to provide orientation of the image capturing unit and the light emitting unit to at least one solar panel by controlling the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism with respect to the target coordinates in the memory unit and the current position information taken from GPS module.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit is configured to correlate the coordinates of solar panels, where the light emitting unit and the image capturing unit are directed, with the received test image and the reference image and to record thereof to the memory unit.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said system comprises a central control unit; the air vehicle comprises a communication unit for providing communication of the processor unit and the central control unit.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the air vehicle comprises a battery; a photovoltaic receiver unit for transforming the light, which falls thereon, into electrical energy; a charge equipment for providing charging of said battery by the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic receiver unit; said system comprises a laser light emitter positioned on the base and for providing charging of the battery by sending laser light to said photovoltaic receiver unit. Thus, the air vehicle is provided to stay in air for increased duration, and the control is accelerated.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the subject matter system comprises a base movement mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the laser light source, and a charge control unit configured to direct said laser light source towards the current position of the air vehicle.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said system comprises a tracking unit associated with the charge control unit for determining the current position of said air vehicle.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said light emitting unit comprises a light emitter, and a light modulator controlled by the processor unit for adjusting the characteristic of the light emitted by said light emitter.
The present invention is moreover a method for providing controlling of solar panels. Accordingly, the improvement is that the following steps realized by a processor unit of an air vehicle are provided:
- receiving as input the coordinate of at least one solar panel which is to be controlled,
- providing flying of the air vehicle to the coordinates received as input,
- providing capturing of at least one reference image of at least one of solar panels by means of an image capturing unit in the air vehicle,
- providing sending of stimulating light by means of a light emitting unit in the air vehicle to the solar panel of which the reference image is captured,
- providing capturing of pluralities of test images of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,
- obtaining at least one of a phase image and an amplitude image by using at least two test images,
- detecting whether there is abnormality in the solar panel in accordance with the differences between the images by comparing the reference image and at least one of said amplitude images and said phase images. In another possible embodiment of the present invention, in order to form the amplitude image, the following sub-steps are provided:
- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values distributed to a period or period multiples and which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a first sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between,
- summing up the test images multiplied by the coefficients, and obtaining the amplitude image.
In another possible embodiment of the present invention, in order to form the phase image, the following sub-steps are provided:
- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a second sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between and which has 90 degrees of phase difference with respect to a first sinusoidal signal,
- summing up the sequential test images multiplied by the coefficients, and obtaining the phase image.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In Figure 1 , a representative view of the system is given.
In Figure 2, a schematic view of the air vehicle is given.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In this detailed description, the subject matter is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.
With reference to Figure 1 , the subject matter is a system comprising an air vehicle (100) which provides taking of images by flying over the solar panels (400) and which provides detection of the abnormalities from these images in solar panel (400) power plants.
The present invention is essentially a system which provides taking of a reference image of solar panels (400) and which provides taking of pluralities of test images by sending stimulating light and which detects the abnormalities and failures at the solar panel (400) in accordance with the differences between the phase image and the amplitude images obtained from the reference image and the test images.
With reference to Figure 2, in more details, the air vehicle (100) comprises a control unit (130). The control unit (130) can control flight of the air vehicle (100). The air vehicle (100) can preferably be an unmanned air vehicle (100) and particularly can be vehicles which can stay suspended in air thanks to its propellers.
The air vehicle (100) can comprise an image capturing unit (110) for providing taking of the image of solar panels (400). The image capturing unit (110) can be a camera. The air vehicle (100) also comprises a light emitting unit for transmitting light to solar panels (400). The light emitting unit (120) also comprises a light emitter and a light modulator for changing the characteristic of the light emitted by said light emitter. Here, the mentioned characteristic can be wavelength and/or intensity. The light modulator (122) is controlled by the control unit (130). In more details, the control unit (130) can comprise a processor unit (131). The processor unit (131) can be formed by one or more than one processor for controlling realization of flight and other tasks. The control unit (130) can also comprise a memory unit (132). The processor unit (131) is associated with the memory unit (132) in a manner realizing reading and writing of data. The memory unit (132) can comprise memories or memory combinations which provide permanent and/or temporary storage of data.
The air vehicle (100) can also comprise a battery for operation of the flight equipment and for energizing of the other components. In more details, the air vehicle (100) can comprise a photovoltaic receiver unit (162). The photovoltaic receiver unit (162) can generate electrical energy when light, preferably laser light is directed thereon. The photovoltaic receiver unit (162) operates by means of a principle like a solar panel. Charging equipment (161) is provided between the photovoltaic receiver unit (162) and the battery. There can be various electronic circuit components known in the art and which shall provide charging of the battery by means of the electricity generated by the photovoltaic receiver unit (162).
The air vehicle (100) also comprises a GPS module (150). The GPS module (150) detects the current position of the air vehicle (100). The GPS module (150) is associated with the processor unit (131). The air vehicle (100) can also comprise a communication unit (140) which provides communication of the processor unit (131) with the outer medium. The communication unit (140) is configured to realize communication by means of radio waves. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, a first movement mechanism (111) adjusts the orientation of the image capturing unit (110), and a second movement mechanism (123) adjusts the orientation of the light emitting unit. The processor unit (131) provides control of the first movement mechanism (111) and the second movement mechanism (123) and provides directing of the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit to the desired solar panel (400). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting unit and the image capturing unit (110) are moved by a movement mechanism.
The system comprises a laser light emitter (210) positioned on the base for providing charging of the battery. The orientation of the laser light emitter (210) can be adjusted by a base movement mechanism (220). The base movement mechanism (220) is controlled by a charge control unit (230).
In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the charge control unit (230) and the control center are associated in a manner realizing data exchange.
The charge control unit (130) controls the movement mechanism in a manner providing detection of the current position of the air vehicle (100) and providing orientation of the laser light emitter (210) to the photovoltaic receiver unit (162). Determination of the current position of the air vehicle (100) can be realized by means of position and height information which taken from the GPS module (150) of the air vehicle (100). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the current position of the air vehicle (100) can be realized by another target locking method known in the art. For instance, the position of the air vehicle (100) can be detected by means of a camera, in other words, by means of a tracking unit, and the movement mechanism can be locked in this position. The air vehicle (100) can comprise various markers for facilitating detection of the position thereof.
In accordance with the details given above, the processor unit (131) receives as input the position information of the solar panels which will be controlled. The processor unit (131) provides flying of the air vehicle (100) to the received position or to the vicinity of the received position. The processor unit (131) then provides the image capturing unit (110) to take a reference image of at least one solar panel (400) and provides sending of stimulating light to the solar panel (400), of which the reference image is taken, by the light emitting unit and provides taking of pluralities of test images of the solar panel (400) where stimulating light is sent. The light emitting unit can be led arrays which emit light at wavelengths for instance between 850-914 nm. Afterwards, the test images are summed up, and an amplitude image and a phase image are obtained. By comparing the phase image and the amplitude image with the reference image, the abnormalities can be detected. The processor unit (131) can record the test images and the reference images by correlating thereof with the position information. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the processor unit (131) detects the position thereof with respect to the solar panels (400) by using the position of a solar panel (400) and its own position. Then, with respect to the detected position, the processor unit (131) can provide orientation of the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit such that the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit are facing to said solar panel (400). The processor unit (131) then records the received reference image, the test images and the phase image and the amplitude image together with the position of the solar panel (400) at which the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit are oriented.
In more details, the formation of the phase image and the amplitude image is as follows: A sinusoidal first signal is accessed. For each test image, one each amplitude values are determined from the first signal such that said one each amplitude values are directly proportional with the time intervals where the sequential test images are taken. Coefficients are obtained which are directly proportional with the determined amplitude values. The sequential test images are multiplied with the related coefficient. An amplitude image is obtained by summing up the multiplied sequential test images. The amplitude values here are selected in a manner spreading to a period of the first signal or to an exact multiple of the period, and in more details, the amplitude values are selected symmetrically with respect to the middle of the period. In other words, the amplitude values are selected such that when the negative amplitude values and the positive amplitude values are summed up, they zero each other.
A second signal is accessed which has sinusoidal structure and which has phase difference between said first signal and itself. Said second signal preferably has cosine form and in other words, it has phase difference of 90 degrees with respect to the first signal. For each test image, one each amplitude values are determined from the second signal such that said one each amplitude values are directly proportional with the time intervals where the sequential test images are taken. Coefficients are obtained which are directly proportional with the determined amplitude values. The sequential test images are multiplied with the related coefficient. The multiplied sequential test images are summed up and a phase image is obtained. Flere, the amplitude values are selected in a manner spreading to a period of the second signal or to an exact multiple of the period, and in more details, the amplitude values are selected symmetrically with respect to the middle of the period. In other words, the amplitude values are selected such that when the negative amplitude values and the positive amplitude values are summed up, they zero each other.
Abnormalities are detected by comparing at least one of the phase image and the amplitude image with the reference image.
Here, said abnormalities are points where efficiency and function losses occur which are defined as deformation or hotspot which occurs due to reasons like undesired items like dust, dirt, etc. which cover the solar panel (400) and cracks due to physical damage in the solar panel or various reasons. Since the parts where such abnormalities exist give reactions to the stimulating light which are different from the reactions of the regions which have no abnormalities, detection can be realized from the differences between the reference image and the phase image and the amplitude image by means of image processing methods. The processor unit (131) provides the air vehicle (100) to fly in a manner realizing scanning so as to receive the image of each of the solar panels (400) which exist in a pre-selected region.
The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
100 Air vehicle
110 Image capturing unit
111 First movement mechanism
120 Light emitting unit
121 Light emitter
122 Light modulator
123 Second movement mechanism
130 Control unit
131 Processor unit
132 Memory unit
140 Communication unit 150 GPS module
160 Battery unit
161 Charge equipment
162 Photovoltaic receiver unit 210 Laser light emitter
220 Base movement mechanism 230 Charge control unit 300 Central control unit 400 Solar panel

Claims

1. A system for providing controlling of solar panels, wherein the subject matter system comprises an air vehicle (100) for floating over the solar panels and having a light emitting unit for sending a stimulating light to the solar panels (400), at least one image capturing unit (110) for capturing the image of the solar panels (400), and a processor unit (131) configured to control the flight of the air vehicle (100), said light emitting unit and the image capturing unit; said processor unit (131) is configured to realize the following steps:
- providing capturing of at least one reference image of at least one of solar panels by means of said image capturing unit (110);
- providing sending of stimulating light to the solar panel, of which the reference image is captured, by means of said light emitting unit,
- providing capturing of at least one test image of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,
- providing capturing of pluralities of test images of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,
- obtaining at least one of a phase image and an amplitude image by using at least two test images,
- detecting whether there is abnormality in the solar panel (400) in accordance with the differences between the images by comparing at least one of said amplitude image and said phase images with the reference image.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor unit (131) is configured to realize the following steps for forming the amplitude image:
- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values distributed to a period or period multiples and which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a first sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between,
- summing up the test images multiplied by the coefficients, and obtaining the amplitude image.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the processor unit (131) is configured to realize the following steps for forming the phase image:
- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a second sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between and which has 90 degrees of phase difference with respect to a first sinusoidal signal,
- summing up the sequential test images multiplied by the coefficients, and obtaining the phase image.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a GPS module (150) which detects the current position of the air vehicle (100); the processor unit (131) is configured to record the position information, related to the solar panel of which said reference image and said test image (amplitude and phase image) are taken, in a memory unit (132).
5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor unit (131) is configured to control the air vehicle (100) in a manner accessing target coordinates in a memory unit (132) comprising positions of solar panels (400) and in a manner providing flying of the air vehicle (100) to at least one of said coordinates.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the air vehicle (100) comprises a first movement mechanism (111) for adjusting orientation of the image capturing unit (110), a second movement mechanism (123) for adjusting orientation of the light emitting unit, and a GPS module (150) for detecting the current position of the air vehicle (100); the processor unit (131) is configured to control said first movement mechanism (111) and said second movement mechanism (123); the processor unit (131) is configured to provide orientation of the image capturing unit (110) and the light emitting unit to at least one solar panel (400) by controlling the first movement mechanism (111) and the second movement mechanism (123) with respect to the target coordinates in the memory unit (132) and the current position information taken from GPS module (150).
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the processor unit (131) is configured to correlate the coordinates of solar panels (400), where the light emitting unit and the image capturing unit are directed, with the received test image and the reference image and to record thereof to the memory unit (132).
8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said system comprises a central control unit (300); the air vehicle (100) comprises a communication unit (140) for providing communication of the processor unit (131) and the central control unit (300).
9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the air vehicle (100) comprises a battery; a photovoltaic receiver unit (162) for transforming the light, which falls thereon, into electrical energy; a charge equipment (161) for providing charging of said battery by the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic receiver unit (162); said system comprises a laser light emitter (210) positioned on the base and for providing charging of the battery by sending laser light to said photovoltaic receiver unit (162).
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the subject matter system comprises a base movement mechanism (220) for adjusting the orientation of the laser light source, and a charge control unit (230) configured to direct said laser light source towards the current position of the air vehicle (100).
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said system comprises a tracking unit associated with the charge control unit (230) for determining the current position of said air vehicle (100).
12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said light emitting unit comprises a light emitter and a light modulator controlled by the processor unit (131) for adjusting the characteristic of the light emitted by said light emitter.
13. A method for providing controlling of solar panels, wherein the following steps realized by a processor unit (131) of an air vehicle (100) are provided:
- receiving as input the coordinate of at least one solar panel (400) which is to be controlled,
- providing flying of the air vehicle to the coordinates received as input,
- providing capturing of at least one reference image of at least one of solar panels by means of an image capturing unit (110) in the air vehicle (100),
- providing sending of stimulating light by means of a light emitting unit in the air vehicle (100) to the solar panel of which the reference image is captured,
- providing capturing of pluralities of test images of the solar panel whereon stimulating light is sent,
- obtaining at least one of a phase image and an amplitude image by using at least two test images,
- detecting whether there is abnormality in the solar panel (400) in accordance with the differences between the images by comparing the reference image and at least one of said amplitude images and said phase images.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein in order to form amplitude image, the following sub-steps are provided:
- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values distributed to a period or period multiples and which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a first sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between,
- summing up the test images multiplied by the coefficients, and obtaining the amplitude image.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein in order to form phase image, the following sub-steps are provided:
- multiplying sequential test images by one each coefficients which are directly proportional with sequential amplitude values which are the time intervals directly proportional with the time intervals of a second sinusoidal signal where sequential test images are taken in between and which has 90 degrees of phase difference with respect to a first sinusoidal signal,
- summing up the sequential test images multiplied by the coefficients, and obtaining the phase image.
PCT/TR2021/050810 2021-03-31 2021-08-13 A system and method for controlling solar panels WO2022211754A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR2021/005802 TR2021005802Y (en) 2021-03-31 A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING SOLAR PANELS
TR202105802 2021-03-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022211754A1 true WO2022211754A1 (en) 2022-10-06

Family

ID=83459793

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/TR2021/050810 WO2022211754A1 (en) 2021-03-31 2021-08-13 A system and method for controlling solar panels

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2022211754A1 (en)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090297017A1 (en) * 2008-03-25 2009-12-03 Hudgings Janice A High resolution multimodal imaging for non-destructive evaluation of polysilicon solar cells
US20110297829A1 (en) * 2010-06-08 2011-12-08 Frank Altmann Three-dimensional hot spot localization
US20130278749A1 (en) * 2012-04-13 2013-10-24 Andreas Mandelis Method and apparatus for performing heterodyne lock-in imaging and quantitative non-contact measurements of electrical properties
CN204408031U (en) * 2015-03-10 2015-06-17 金陵科技学院 A kind of unmanned plane wireless laser charging device and charging system thereof
KR101660456B1 (en) * 2016-06-08 2016-09-28 (주)대연씨앤아이 Monitoring apparatus for photovoltaic generating system
US20180003656A1 (en) * 2016-06-30 2018-01-04 Unmanned Innovation Inc. Solar panel inspection using unmanned aerial vehicles
US20180180670A1 (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-06-28 Fei Company High frequency lock-in thermography using single photon detectors
CN110324003A (en) * 2019-04-30 2019-10-11 上海道口材料科技有限公司 A kind of multijunction solar cell recessiveness defect non-destructive testing method and system
US20200313612A1 (en) * 2019-03-26 2020-10-01 Wuhan University Silicon photovoltaic cell scanning eddy current thermography detection platform and defect classification method

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090297017A1 (en) * 2008-03-25 2009-12-03 Hudgings Janice A High resolution multimodal imaging for non-destructive evaluation of polysilicon solar cells
US20110297829A1 (en) * 2010-06-08 2011-12-08 Frank Altmann Three-dimensional hot spot localization
US20130278749A1 (en) * 2012-04-13 2013-10-24 Andreas Mandelis Method and apparatus for performing heterodyne lock-in imaging and quantitative non-contact measurements of electrical properties
CN204408031U (en) * 2015-03-10 2015-06-17 金陵科技学院 A kind of unmanned plane wireless laser charging device and charging system thereof
KR101660456B1 (en) * 2016-06-08 2016-09-28 (주)대연씨앤아이 Monitoring apparatus for photovoltaic generating system
US20180003656A1 (en) * 2016-06-30 2018-01-04 Unmanned Innovation Inc. Solar panel inspection using unmanned aerial vehicles
US20180180670A1 (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-06-28 Fei Company High frequency lock-in thermography using single photon detectors
US20200313612A1 (en) * 2019-03-26 2020-10-01 Wuhan University Silicon photovoltaic cell scanning eddy current thermography detection platform and defect classification method
CN110324003A (en) * 2019-04-30 2019-10-11 上海道口材料科技有限公司 A kind of multijunction solar cell recessiveness defect non-destructive testing method and system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8076625B2 (en) Field level tracker controller
KR101541032B1 (en) System for collecting and analyzing data regarding module surface temperature of solar photovoltaic power facilities using unmanned air vehicle
Di Tommaso et al. A multi-stage model based on YOLOv3 for defect detection in PV panels based on IR and visible imaging by unmanned aerial vehicle
US20120012101A1 (en) Robotic heliostat system and method of operation
JP2017215239A (en) Solar cell inspection system
KR101985019B1 (en) Method for detecting solar energy module being overheat by using drone and GIS
De Oliveira et al. Aerial infrared thermography of a utility-scale PV plant after a meteorological tsunami in Brazil
US20170124694A1 (en) Prediction system for short-term solar irradiance and method for operating the same
Buerhop et al. Verifying defective PV‐modules by IR‐imaging and controlling with module optimizers
Buerhop et al. Infrared imaging of photovoltaic modules: a review of the state of the art and future challenges facing gigawatt photovoltaic power stations
CN114037918B (en) Photovoltaic hot spot detection method based on unmanned aerial vehicle inspection and image processing
KR101541285B1 (en) System for collecting surface image datas for solar cell modules of solar photovoltaic power facilities using unmanned air vehicle
CN112666977A (en) Unmanned aerial vehicle is at photovoltaic power plant subassembly fault detection device
US20230336116A1 (en) Solar module racking system
US20130019920A1 (en) Combination solar cell sun sensor for direct alignment of trackers and closed-loop tracking
Dissawa et al. Cloud motion tracking for short-term on-site cloud coverage prediction
CN111319502A (en) Unmanned aerial vehicle laser charging method based on binocular vision positioning
JP7076764B2 (en) Solar cell group and solar power generation system
Dissawa et al. Cross-correlation based cloud motion estimation for short-term solar irradiation predictions
WO2021054306A1 (en) Monitoring/control system for solar power generation site
WO2022211754A1 (en) A system and method for controlling solar panels
de Oliveira et al. Low-cost aerial electroluminescence (aEL) of PV power plants
JP6901102B2 (en) Crowd solar tracker control methods and systems
Kim et al. Analyzing the range of angles of a solar panel to detect defective cells, using a UAV
KR20200087548A (en) Solar power panel inspection system using a drone

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 21935362

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE