GB2498211A

GB2498211A - Solar panel theft detection system

Info

Publication number: GB2498211A
Application number: GB201200210A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Peter Taylor; Ian Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-08
Filing date: 2012-01-08
Publication date: 2013-07-10
Also published as: GB201200210D0

Abstract

A monitoring system 105 is provided for detecting the presence of solar panels 101 in an array by measuring one of the current generated, the output voltage or the output power of the array. The monitoring system 105 may interface between an output of the solar array and a load 102, wherein the load may be a combiner, inverter, energy storage or distribution system. Should a panel 101 be removed from the array, the monitoring system 105 will generate an alarm. The monitoring system 105 may interface with an existing alarm system 106. The alarm may be silent, audible, visible, or via the internet.

Description

The following description and drawings are illustrative and not to be constructed as limiting.

Figure ones shows the basic arrangement of a solar energy system, a number of solar panels [1011 are connected together [103] and fed in to the load [102] energy is generated by exposure to ambient light[104] . This load[I 02] maybe a combiner, inverter, energy storage or distribution system this does not however limit the type of load the system can interface to. The solar presence detection system (SPDS)[ 105] is connected to the feeds from the solar pallel into the loads [103] and monitors the output of the solar array to ensure the presence of the arrays. Should the panel be removed the SPDS will issue an alarm which may be silent, audible, visible or over the internet.

The SPDS may interface to an existing alarm system [106].

Figurc 2 shows onc alternate approach to connection of the SPDS [203] where only one of the two feed wires from the solar arrays is monitored to determine the presence of the solar panels. Through use of a connection which invasively or none invasively connects to the cable [203].

Figure 3 illustrates the SPDS system [300] the SPDS uses an algorithm [303] which executes within an controller[302]. This algorithm may monitor rate of change of the input value, monitor the quantised value is above a set point alternatively a neural network based learning algorithm may be used. The SPDS[3001 quantises and isolates [304] the input from the solar array sensor [301a and 301b] and uses this value to execute the algorithm to determine the presence or absence of the solar panel and issues an alert if the panel is determined not to be present. The SPDS coiltains a user control interface [311] which can be configured to determine how the unit responds to an alarm.

Issuing either an audible[313] or visual[314] alarm if so configured whist at the same time issuing a silent alarm over the PSTN[3071, Mobile phone network[3091 or wired [312] or wireless[308] internet connections or an existing alarm system[301] The SPDS is capable of detecting and issuing an alert should the unit be tampered[306] with in an attempt by the anyone to disable the system.

Figure four shows the outline for the software control of the module upon initial power up it will wake up [401] and proceed to perform a system integrity check[402] provided the operational check is successful the system begins to run its algorithm[404] monitoring the solar panel presence[403] should the panel be detected not to be present the system will alarm[406]. While the system is operating normally and not in an alarmed stated the system will monitor the tamper status of the unit [405] and will alarm should any attempt to disable the unit be dctermined[406] To ensure reliability of the system should the mains power fail the SPDS shall be capable of being powered by either battery power or mains power.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1) A monitoring system which detects the presencc of the solar panels detecting the current generated by the solar array.</claim-text> <claim-text>2) A monitoring system which detects the presence of the solar panels by monitoring the output voltage of the solar array.</claim-text> <claim-text>3) A monitoring system which detects the presence of the solar panels by monitoring the output power of the solar array.</claim-text> <claim-text>4) The systems described in claims 1) , 2) and 3) which interfaces non invasively between the solar array output(s) and the power system 5) The system defined in claims 1), 2) and 3) where the system invasively interfaces to the power system 6) The system defined in claims 1), 2) and 3) which monitors a Solar cell which used Infra Red Radiation 7) The system defined in claims 1), 2) and 3) which monitors a Solar cell which uses any other wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.8) The system defined in claims 1), 2) and 3) which detects a significant fall in output and disconnects the solar array from the load 9) The system defined in claims 1) , 2) and 3) which uses an algorithm or control process to detect the disconnection of the solar panel.10) The system defined in claims 1) , 2) and 3) which generates an audible alarm when the solar panel is detected to be not present 11) The system defined in claims 1) 2) and 3) which generates an silent alarm when the solar panel is detected to be not present 12) The system defined in claims 1) , 2) and 3) which communicates over the public switched telephone network when the solar panel is detected to be not present 13) The system defined in claims I), 2) and 3) which communicates over the mobile phone network when the solar panel is detected to be not present 14) The system defined in claims 1) 2) and 3) which communicates over internet when the solar panel is detected to be not present 15) The system defined in claims 1), 2) and 3) which provides historical recording for diagnostics 16) The system defined in claims I) 2) and 3) which provides historical recording which is used as historical information used within the monitoring algorithm.17) The system defined in claims 1), 2) and 3) which uses a magnet to offset or bias the monitoring system.18) The system defined in claims 1), 2) and 3) which can detect tamper events in an attempt to disable protection.19) The system defined in claims 1), 2) and 3) which is integrated into a load system.</claim-text>