JP2010123880A - Fault determination system, fault determination method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically determine whether a solar cell module deteriorates or gets out of order. <P>SOLUTION: A fault determination device includes a storage unit which is connected in a communicable state to a sensor device, having a sensor unit for measuring a state value associated with the solar cell module and a transmission unit for transmitting the state value as a measurement result, and stores a threshold. The fault determination device receives the state value from the sensor unit, compares the received state value with the threshold to determine whether the solar cell module deteriorates or gets out of order, and outputs a determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a failure determination system, a failure determination method, and a computer program for determining deterioration or failure of a solar cell module constituting a photovoltaic power generation system.

  Conventionally, as a method of utilizing solar cells, a method of providing a part of power consumption in a general household by arranging a plurality of solar cell modules on the roof of a general residence has been common. Therefore, the number of solar cell modules arranged in one place as one solar power generation system is limited to about several tens.

  When a failure occurs in such a solar cell module, a method for searching for a discolored color by visually observing the light receiving side (front side, the side directed toward sunlight) of the solar cell module, A method has been adopted in which a tester is connected to the solar cell module to search for an abnormality in the current value. Therefore, in order to discover a broken solar cell module, each solar cell module must be inspected. However, as described above, since the number of solar cell modules used in a single photovoltaic power generation system has been limited in the past, the labor and labor does not increase to the extent that it is regarded as a problem. Could be found relatively easily.

  On the other hand, large-scale photovoltaic power generation systems such as mega solar systems, which have been attracting attention in recent years, are intended for power generation with a voltage of about 1000 kw, and several thousand solar cell modules of about 100 w are connected to one place. Be placed. As the number of solar cell modules increases in this way, the labor and time required for inspection to find a faulty solar cell module increases in proportion to the number, and the time and labor required for inspection are becoming a problem. .

For such a problem, by providing a communication means for each of the plurality of solar cell modules, by transmitting a measurement result obtained by measuring the characteristics of the solar cell module and a signal indicating the identifier of the solar cell module from the communication means to the control device. There has been proposed a photovoltaic power generation system capable of easily and quickly confirming the state of a solar cell module in which a failure has occurred (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-221479 A

  However, in the conventional system, since the determination of whether or not a failure has occurred in the solar cell module has not been automated, the operator must make an independent determination based on the measurement results transmitted from each communication means, There was a problem that the accuracy of judgment was lacking and labor was required.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can automatically determine whether or not a deterioration or failure has occurred in a solar cell module.

  [1] In order to solve the above-described problem, a failure determination system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a sensor unit that measures a state value related to a solar cell module, and a transmission unit that transmits a state value that is a measurement result. A failure determination that determines deterioration or failure of the solar cell module by comparing the state value with the threshold value, a storage unit that stores the threshold value, a receiving unit that receives the state value from the sensor device, and a storage unit that stores the threshold value Unit, an output unit that outputs a determination result, and a failure determination device.

  [2] In addition, the failure determination system according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a sunshine meter that measures the amount of sunshine around the solar cell module and transmits the amount of sunshine as a measurement result to the failure determination device. The sensor unit measures the temperature and other state values of the solar cell module, the storage unit stores a plurality of threshold values in association with a combination of the amount of sunlight and the temperature, and the failure The determination unit compares the threshold value stored in the storage unit in association with the combination of the temperature of the measurement result by the sensor device and the amount of sunshine of the measurement result by the sunshine meter with the other state value. It may be configured to make the above determination.

  [3] Further, in the failure determination system according to an aspect of the present invention, the sensor device may be configured as a casing independent of the solar cell module and detachable from the solar cell module.

  [4] Moreover, in the failure determination system according to an aspect of the present invention, the sensor device may be configured to be installed on a surface different from a surface on which the solar cell module receives sunlight.

  [5] In the failure determination system according to the aspect of the present invention, the sensor device further includes a power supply unit that receives a part of the power generated by the solar cell module, and is configured to operate with the power. May be.

  [6] In the failure determination system according to the aspect of the present invention, the solar cell modules are further connected in series, and further include a switch unit that short-circuits the solar cell modules by being closed, and the sensor device includes the failure A receiving unit that receives a switch control signal from the determination device, and controls to open the switch unit until the switch control signal is received, and closes the switch unit when the switch control signal is received A switch control unit that controls the failure determination device, and the failure determination device further includes a transmission unit that transmits a switch control signal to the sensor device when the failure determination unit determines a failure. It may be configured.

  One embodiment of the present invention may be specified as a failure determination method performed by the above-described failure determination system. One embodiment of the present invention may be specified as a computer program for causing a computer including the storage unit described above to operate as the failure determination device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically determine whether the solar cell module has deteriorated or failed.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the photovoltaic power generation system 1. The solar power generation system 1 is configured by connecting a plurality of strings 11 in parallel and connecting both ends thereof to a power conditioner 12. Each string 11 is configured by connecting a plurality of solar cell modules 10 in series. The solar cell module 10 receives sunlight on the surface and converts the sunlight energy into electric energy (direct current). The power conditioner 12 converts DC power generated by the plurality of solar cell modules 10 into AC power and outputs the AC power.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the solar cell module failure determination system 2 according to the first embodiment. The solar cell module failure determination system 2 is installed with respect to the solar power generation system 1 and determines whether the solar cell module 10 of the solar power generation system 1 has deteriorated or failed (hereinafter referred to as “failure determination”). As illustrated, the solar cell module failure determination system 2 includes a photovoltaic power generation system 1, a plurality of sensor devices 20, and a failure determination device 30 that are targets of failure determination.

The sensor device 20 is connected to each solar cell module 10, measures a state value such as a voltage value or a current value in each solar cell module, and transmits it to the failure determination device 30 via a communication path.
The failure determination device 30 receives the state value from each sensor device 20 via the communication path, and determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the solar cell module 10 to which each sensor device 20 is connected.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sensor device 20. The sensor device 20 includes a power supply unit 21, a sensor unit 22, a storage unit 23, a calculation unit 24, and a transmission unit 25. Hereinafter, the configuration of the sensor device 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The power supply unit 21 is connected to the solar cell module 10 and receives a part of the power generated by the solar cell module 10. And the power supply part 21 supplies electric power to each function part with which the sensor apparatus 20, such as the sensor part 22, the memory | storage part 23, the calculating part 24, and the transmission part 25, is provided through a power supply line (dashed line in FIG. 3). The power source unit 21 may be configured to include a battery so that the sensor device 20 can operate without receiving power supply from the solar cell module 10.

  The sensor unit 22 is connected to the solar cell module 10 and measures the state value of the solar cell module 10. Specific examples of the state value include a voltage value, a current value, and a temperature of the solar cell module 10 in the solar cell module 10. The sensor unit 22 may be configured to measure one type of such state values, or may be configured to measure a plurality. The sensor unit 22 may be configured to measure the temperature of the back surface of the solar cell module 10 when measuring the temperature of the solar cell module 10. By measuring the temperature of the back surface, the temperature of the solar cell module 10 can be measured more accurately without being affected by direct sunlight.

  The storage unit 23 stores the identification number assigned to the sensor device 20, the address of the sensor device 20, and the address of the failure determination device 30. The identification number is a number assigned to each sensor device 20 without duplication so that each sensor device 20 can be uniquely identified. The address here refers to an address in the network, such as an IP address.

  The calculation unit 24 generates notification data to be transmitted to the failure determination device 30. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the data structure of the notification data. The notification data has the address of the failure determination device 30 as a transmission destination address and the address of the own device as a transmission source address in the header portion. Further, the notification data includes the identification number of the own device, the measurement date and time when the measurement by the sensor unit 22 was performed, and the measurement result in the payload portion.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the sensor equipment 20 will be continued. The transmission unit 25 transmits the notification data generated by the calculation unit 24 to the failure determination device 30 via the communication path. The transmission unit 25 is configured using, for example, a wireless communication device, and is configured to encode the notification data and place it on a transmission wave and transmit the notification data to the failure determination device 30 by wireless communication. In this case, a relay device (not shown) is installed in the communication path, the transmission unit 25 transmits a transmission wave to the relay device by wireless communication, and the relay device transmits communication data to the failure determination device 30 via the IP network. It may be configured as follows. A communication path between the sensor device 20 and the failure determination device 30 is appropriately designed by a designer. The timing at which the transmission unit 25 transmits the notification data may be periodically 1 second, or may be several minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours, or irregular, depending on the designer. Set as appropriate.

  5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating an outline of an installation example of the sensor device 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the solar cell module 10 is installed on the mount with the light receiving portion (front surface) facing the direction in which sunlight is inserted, and the sensor device 20 is on the back surface of the solar cell module 10, that is, the surface on which sunlight is not directly inserted. Installed. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the sensor device 20 includes an input / output terminal 26, and the input / output terminal 26 is detachably connected to the input / output terminal 13 provided in the solar cell module 10.

  Thus, by installing the sensor device 20 on the back surface of the solar cell module 10, the sensor device 20 is prevented from blocking the light receiving unit installed on the surface of the solar cell module 10 from sunlight, and the solar cell module 10. It is possible to suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency in Furthermore, it is possible to prevent malfunction and failure of the sensor device 20 by preventing the temperature rise due to the sensor device 20 being exposed to direct sunlight and preventing the sensor device 20 from being exposed to wind and rain.

  In addition, when the sensor device 20 is configured separately from the solar cell module 10 and the input / output terminal 13 and the input / output terminal 26 are configured to be removable, the solar cell module 10 needs to be replaced. Even if it exists, it becomes possible to install the sensor apparatus 20 repeatedly, and it becomes possible to reduce cost.

Further, by installing the sensor device 20 in a box (housing), it is possible to suppress malfunction or failure of the sensor device 20.
When the sensor device 20 includes a temperature sensor as the sensor unit 22, a temperature sensor may be provided inside the sensor device 20, or the temperature sensor unit 221 may be provided outside the sensor device 20 as illustrated in FIG. It may be provided and installed on the back surface of the solar cell module 10.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the failure determination device 30. The failure determination device 30 is communicably connected to the plurality of sensor devices 20 via a communication path. As illustrated, the failure determination device 30 includes a reception unit 31, a storage unit 32, a failure determination unit 33, and an output unit 34.

The receiving unit 31 receives notification data from each sensor device 20 via a communication path, and decodes the received notification data.
The storage unit 32 stores in advance threshold values used in the failure determination process by the failure determination unit 33. Further, the storage unit 32 stores the identification number, the measurement date and time, and the measurement result included in the notification data in association with the determination result by the failure determination unit 33.

  The failure determination unit 33 determines whether the solar cell module to which each sensor device 20 is connected has deteriorated or failed by comparing the measurement result included in the notification data with the threshold value stored in the storage unit 32. To do.

The output unit 34 outputs the determination result of the failure determination unit 33 to an image output device (such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display) or a speaker.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the failure determination device 30. When the receiving unit 31 receives notification data from the sensor device 20 (step S101), the failure determination unit 33 reads a measurement result from the received notification data (step S102). Next, the failure determination unit 33 reads the threshold value from the storage unit 32 (step S103), and determines whether deterioration or failure has occurred by comparing the threshold value with the measurement result (step S104).

  Specifically, when a voltage value is notified from the sensor device 20 as a measurement result, the storage unit 32 stores a voltage threshold value as a threshold value, and the failure determination unit 33 has a voltage value of the measurement result lower than the voltage threshold value. In this case, it is determined that deterioration or failure has occurred. When the current value is notified from the sensor device 20 as the measurement result, the storage unit 32 stores the current threshold value as the threshold value, and the failure determination unit 33 determines that the current value of the measurement result is lower than the current threshold value. It is determined that deterioration or failure has occurred. Further, when the temperature is notified from the sensor device 20 as the measurement result, the storage unit 32 stores the temperature threshold value, and the failure determination unit 33 causes deterioration or failure when the temperature of the measurement result is higher than the temperature threshold value. It is determined that it has occurred.

  Further, when the voltage value and the current value are notified as the measurement result, the storage unit 32 stores the resistance threshold value as the threshold value, and the failure determination unit 33 calculates the resistance value from the voltage value and the current value of the measurement result. If the determined resistance value is higher than the resistance threshold value, it is determined that deterioration or failure has occurred. When the voltage value and the current value are notified as the measurement result, the storage unit 32 stores the power threshold value as the threshold value, and the failure determination unit 33 calculates the power value from the voltage value and the current value of the measurement result, and calculates If the measured power value is lower than the power threshold value, it may be determined that deterioration or failure has occurred. As the solar cell module 10 deteriorates or breaks down, the resistance value increases and the power value decreases. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine deterioration or failure based on such characteristics.

  Further, when a plurality of state values are notified from the sensor device 20 as measurement results, the storage unit 32 stores a plurality of types of threshold values, for example, a threshold value for voltage and a threshold value for temperature, and the failure determination unit 33 has both measurement values. When both indicate deterioration or failure, it may be determined that deterioration or failure has occurred. In addition, the failure determination unit 33 may determine that deterioration or failure has occurred for the first time when the measured value indicates deterioration or failure continuously for a plurality of times.

  After the process of step S104, the failure determination unit 33 writes the identification number, measurement date / time, measurement result, and determination result in the storage unit 32 (step S105). And the output part 34 outputs a determination result (step S106), and complete | finishes the process of the whole flowchart. The failure determination device 30 performs the processing from step S101 to step S106 for each notification data received from each sensor device 20.

  According to the solar cell module failure determination system 2 configured as described above, the sensor device 20 installed for the solar cell module 10 measures the state value and transmits the notification data, and the failure determination device 30 converts the notification data into the notification data. The presence or absence of deterioration or failure of the solar cell module 10 is determined based on the included state value. Therefore, the failure determination device 30 can be installed at a position physically separated from the solar cell module 10, and the degree of freedom of the configuration of the solar cell module failure determination system 2 can be improved.

  In addition, by using temperature as a measurement result, even when the solar cell module 10 is not operating at night or the like, unlike the case where the voltage value or the current value is measured, special adjustments such as adjustment of the determination criterion are performed. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine deterioration or failure without performing proper control. Specifically, since the temperature of the solar cell module 10 increases with deterioration or failure, the failure determination unit 33 determines that a failure has occurred when the temperature exceeds a threshold value. At this time, even if the solar cell module 10 cannot perform proper power generation due to nighttime or bad weather, the temperature does not rise for that reason. Therefore, deterioration or failure always occurs based on a certain threshold. It is possible to determine the occurrence.

  Further, the sensor device 20 is operated by electric power generated by the solar cell module 10 by being connected to the solar cell module 10. Therefore, the sensor device 20 can operate for a long time or permanently without a battery. At this time, the sensor device 20 is provided with a power storage unit that can store the power generated by the solar cell module 10, so that the solar cell module 10 can operate even at night when the solar cell module 10 cannot generate power or in bad weather. May be configured to be possible.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification of how the sensor device 20 is attached to the solar cell module 10. In the above description (particularly FIG. 2), one sensor device 20 is provided for one solar cell module 10. On the other hand, one sensor device 20 may be provided for a plurality of solar cell modules 10. As an example, FIG. 9 shows a configuration in which one sensor device 20 is provided for one string 11.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the solar cell module failure determination system 2a of the second embodiment. The same components as those of the solar cell module failure determination system 2 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 in FIG. 10, and description thereof is omitted.

  The solar cell module failure determination system 2a includes a sensor device 20a instead of the sensor device 20, a point including a failure determination device 30a instead of the failure determination device 30, and a sunshine meter 40 in the first embodiment. Different from the solar cell module failure determination system 2. Hereinafter, each configuration different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The sunshine meter 40 is a device that has a transmission function and can communicate with the failure determination device 30 a via a communication path, and is installed in the vicinity of the solar power generation system 1. The sunshine meter 40 measures the amount of sunshine in the vicinity of the photovoltaic power generation system 1 and transmits the measurement result to the failure determination device 30a via the communication path.

  FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sensor device 20a according to the second embodiment. The sensor device 20a in the second embodiment is different from the sensor device 20 in the first embodiment in that a temperature sensor unit 221 and a current sensor unit 222 are provided as a specific configuration of the sensor unit 22.

  The temperature sensor unit 221 measures the temperature of the solar cell module 10. Specifically, the temperature sensor unit 221 may be integrally formed in the housing of the sensor device 20a, or provided outside the sensor device 20a (the sensor device 20 in FIG. 6) as illustrated in FIG. May be installed on the back surface of the solar cell module 10.

  The current sensor unit 222 measures the current value (other state value) of the solar cell module 10. And the calculating part 24 comprises the measurement result part of notification data using the measurement result measured by the temperature sensor part 221 and the current sensor part 222, ie, the temperature of the solar cell module 10, and the current value of the solar cell module 10. To do. And the transmission part 25 transmits the notification data containing temperature and an electric current value to the failure determination apparatus 30a.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the failure determination device 30a according to the second embodiment. The failure determination device 30a in the second embodiment is different from the failure determination device 30 in the first embodiment in that a storage unit 32a is provided instead of the storage unit 32 and a threshold value determination unit 35 is provided.

  The storage unit 32a stores a plurality of threshold values. Specifically, the storage unit 32a stores a plurality of threshold values in association with combinations of temperature and sunshine amount. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a threshold table stored in the storage unit 32a. In this case, the storage unit 32a is associated with each combination of a plurality of temperatures (T1, T2, T3,...) And a plurality of sunshine amounts (S1, S2, S3,. TH11, TH12, TH13, TH21, TH22, TH23, TH31, TH32, TH33,...) Are stored. In addition, the storage unit 32a stores the identification number, the measurement date and time, and the measurement result included in the notification data in association with the determination result by the failure determination unit 33.

  The threshold value determination unit 35 uses a threshold value corresponding to a combination of the measurement result included in the notification data and the measurement result by the sunshine meter 40 among the plurality of threshold values stored in the storage unit 32 a in the process of the failure determination unit 33. Determine as threshold. For example, when the temperature of the measurement result included in the notification data is a value between T1 and T2, and the amount of sunshine of the measurement result by the sunshine meter 40 is a value between S2 and S3, the threshold determination unit 35 TH32 is determined as a threshold value. Further, for example, when the temperature of the measurement result included in the notification data is a value of T1 or less and the amount of sunshine of the measurement result by the sunshine meter 40 is a value of S1 or less, the threshold determination unit 35 determines TH11 as a threshold. .

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the failure determination device 30a in the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the failure determination device 30a will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same processes as those of the failure determination device 30a in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 in FIG. 14, and description thereof is omitted.

  The receiving unit 31 receives notification data from each sensor device 20a and receives the amount of sunlight from the sunshine meter 40 (step S201). Next, the threshold value determination unit 35 reads the temperature measurement result from the notification data (step S202). Then, the threshold value determination unit 35 determines and reads out the threshold value stored in the storage unit 32a in association with the combination of the temperature and the amount of sunshine as the threshold value used in the determination process (step S203).

  The failure determination unit 33 reads the measurement result from the received notification data (step S102), compares the threshold value determined by the threshold value determination unit 35 with the measurement result (step S104), and stores the result. Write to 32a (step S105). And the output part 34 outputs a determination result (step S106), and complete | finishes the process of the whole flowchart. The failure determination device 30a performs the processing of step S201 to step S106 for each notification data received from each sensor device 20.

  FIG. 15 is a graph showing changes in current / voltage characteristics accompanying changes in temperature. A broken-line graph of symbol A represents current / voltage characteristics when the temperature of the solar cell module 10 is T_High. A solid line graph of symbol B represents current / voltage characteristics when the temperature of the solar cell module 10 is T_Low. The relationship between the two temperatures is T_High> T_Low.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the temperature of the solar cell module 10 is high, the current value is high and the voltage value is low compared to when the temperature is low. Therefore, even if the solar cell module 10 is operating normally, if the failure determination unit 33 always makes a determination using the same threshold regardless of the temperature, there is a risk of making an incorrect determination. With respect to such a problem, in the failure determination device 30a in the second embodiment, the threshold determination unit 35 determines a threshold according to the temperature of the solar cell module 10, and the failure determination unit 33 makes a determination based on this threshold. Therefore, more accurate determination can be performed.

  FIG. 16 is a graph showing changes in current / voltage characteristics accompanying changes in the amount of sunlight. A solid line graph of the symbol C represents current / voltage characteristics when the amount of sunshine is S_Large. The broken line graph of the symbol D represents the current / voltage characteristics when the amount of sunshine is S_Middle. The graph of the long two-dot chain line of symbol E represents the current / voltage characteristics when the amount of sunshine is S_Small. The relationship between the three sunshine amounts is S_Large> S_Middle> S_Small.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the amount of sunlight is large, the current value and the voltage value are generally higher than when the amount of sunlight is small. Therefore, even if the solar cell module 10 is operating normally, if the failure determination unit 33 always makes a determination using the same threshold regardless of the amount of sunlight, there is a risk of making an incorrect determination. With respect to such a problem, in the failure determination device 30a in the second embodiment, the threshold determination unit 35 determines a threshold according to the amount of sunlight, and the failure determination unit 33 makes a determination based on this threshold. It is possible to make a correct determination.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the solar cell module failure determination system 2b according to the third embodiment. The same components as those in the solar cell module failure determination system 2 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 in FIG.

  The solar cell module failure determination system 2b includes a sensor device 20b instead of the sensor device 20, a point including a failure determination device 30b instead of the failure determination device 30, and a switch 50. Different from the battery module failure determination system 2. Hereinafter, each configuration different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The switch 50 is configured using a switch such as an electromagnetic switch, and has one end connected to the input terminal of the solar cell module 10 and the other end connected to the output terminal of the solar cell module 10. The switch 50 directly connects the immediately preceding solar cell module 10 connected in series with the immediately following solar cell module in accordance with an instruction from the sensor device 20b, and short-circuits the solar cell module 10 that the switch 50 is responsible for. . In this case, the output of the solar cell module 10 immediately before the shorted solar cell module 10 is input to the solar cell module 10 immediately after the shorted solar cell module 10 without passing through the shorted solar cell module 10. The

  The switch 50 is in an open state from when it is installed until when it receives control for closing the switch by the sensor device 20b. And if control which closes a switch from sensor device 20b is received, switch 50 will be in a closed state.

  FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the sensor device 20b according to the third embodiment. The sensor device 20b in the third embodiment is different from the sensor device 20 in the first embodiment in that it further includes a receiving unit 27 and a switch control unit 28.

The receiving unit 27 receives a switch control signal from the failure determination device 30b.
When the switch control unit 28 receives the switch control signal, the switch control unit 28 performs control so as to close the switch 50 and short-circuits the circuit of the solar cell module 10 provided with the own device (sensor device 20b).

  FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the failure determination device 30b according to the third embodiment. The failure determination device 30b in the third embodiment is different from the failure determination device 30 in the first embodiment in that it further includes a transmission unit 36.

  When the failure determination unit 33 determines that the failure determination unit 33 has deteriorated or failed, the transmission unit 36 transmits a switch control signal to the sensor device 20b connected to the solar cell module 10 determined to be deterioration or failure. This transmission can be performed, for example, by setting the transmission source address included in the header portion of the notification data as shown in FIG. 4 as the transmission destination address.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the solar cell module failure determination system 2b according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the solar cell module failure determination system 2b will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the process same as the solar cell module failure determination system 2b of 1st embodiment, the code | symbol same as FIG. 8 is attached | subjected and represented in FIG. 20, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the failure determination unit 33 determines that there is a deterioration or failure in the determination process in step S106 (YES in step S301), the transmission unit 36 of the failure determination device 30b transmits the notification data that is the target of the determination. The switch control signal is transmitted using the address as the transmission destination address (step S302), and the processing of the failure determination device 30b is finished.

  When the receiving unit 27 of the sensor device 20b receives the switch control signal (step S303), the switch control unit 28 controls to close the switch 50 (step S304). If the failure determination unit 33 determines that there is no deterioration or failure in the determination process of step S106 (step S301-NO), the transmission unit 36 ends the process of the failure determination device 30b without performing any particular process.

  According to the solar cell module failure determination system 2b configured as described above, the solar cell module 10 determined to be deteriorated or failed is short-circuited by the switch 50 and the connection to the solar power generation system 1 is released. Therefore, it is possible to avoid that the solar cell module 10 in which deterioration or failure has occurred adversely affects the photovoltaic power generation system 1.

  In the above description (particularly FIG. 17), one sensor device 20 b and one switch 50 are provided for one solar cell module 10. On the other hand, one sensor device 20b and one switch 50 may be provided for the plurality of solar cell modules 10. For example, one sensor device 20 b and one switch 50 may be provided for one string 11.

  In addition, a light emitting unit configured using a light emitting element such as an LED (light emitting diode) is provided for the sensor device 20b, and the solar cell module 10 is operating normally, that is, after the sensor device 20b is installed. The light emitting unit may be configured to emit light until the switch control signal is received.

  Further, the storage unit 32 and the failure determination unit 33 are provided in the sensor device 20b, and the sensor device 20b determines deterioration or failure by itself without further communicating with the failure determination device 30b, and further controls the switch 50. It may be configured as follows.

  Moreover, each structure of 1st embodiment-3rd embodiment may be comprised combining as much as possible. For example, in the solar cell module failure determination system 2a in the second embodiment, a receiving unit 27 and a switch control unit 28 are further provided for the sensor device 20a, and a transmission unit 36 is further provided for the failure determination device 30a. A switch 50 may be further provided.

You may make it implement | achieve the function of the failure determination apparatus 30, failure determination apparatus 30a, and failure determination apparatus 30b in embodiment mentioned above with a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory inside a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case may be included and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

It is a functional block diagram showing functional composition of a photovoltaic power generation system. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the solar cell module failure determination system of 1st embodiment. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the sensor apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is the schematic showing the outline of the data structure of notification data. It is the schematic showing the outline of the example of installation of a sensor apparatus. It is the schematic showing the outline of the example of installation of a sensor apparatus. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the failure determination apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the operation example of the failure determination apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a figure showing the modification of how to attach the sensor apparatus with respect to a solar cell module. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the solar cell module failure determination system of 2nd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the sensor apparatus in 2nd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the failure determination apparatus in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure showing the specific example of the table of the threshold value which a memory | storage part memorize | stores. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the failure determination apparatus in 2nd embodiment. It is a graph showing the change of the electric current and voltage characteristic accompanying the change of temperature. It is a graph showing the change of the electric current and voltage characteristic accompanying the change of the amount of sunlight. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the solar cell module failure determination system of 3rd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the sensor apparatus in 3rd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of the failure determination apparatus in 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the solar cell module failure determination system of 3rd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Solar power generation system, 10 ... Solar cell module, 11 ... Strings, 12 ... Power conditioner, 13 ... Input / output terminal, 2 ... Solar cell module failure determination system, 20 ... Sensor device, 21 ... Power supply part, 22 ... Sensor unit, 23 ... storage unit, 24 ... calculation unit, 25 ... transmission unit, 26 ... input / output terminal, 27 ... reception unit, 28 ... switch control unit, 30 ... failure determination device, 31 ... reception unit, 32 ... storage unit , 33 ... Failure determination unit, 34 ... Output unit, 35 ... Threshold determination unit, 36 ... Transmitting unit, 40 ... Solarimeter, 50 ... Switch

Claims (8)

A sensor unit for measuring a state value related to the solar cell module;
A transmission unit that transmits a state value that is a measurement result; and
A sensor device comprising:
A receiving unit for receiving the state value from the sensor device;
A storage unit for storing a threshold;
A failure determination unit that determines deterioration or failure of the solar cell module by comparing the state value and the threshold;
An output unit for outputting the determination result;
A failure determination device comprising:
A failure determination system comprising: Measure the amount of sunshine around the solar cell module installed, further comprising a sunshine meter that transmits the amount of sunshine as a measurement result to the failure determination device,
The sensor unit measures the temperature and other state values of the solar cell module,
The storage unit stores a plurality of threshold values in association with a combination of the amount of sunlight and the temperature,
The failure determination unit includes a threshold value stored in the storage unit in association with a combination of the temperature of the measurement result by the sensor device and the sunshine amount of the measurement result by the sunshine meter, and the other state value. The failure determination system according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed by comparison.   The failure determination system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is configured as a housing independent of the solar cell module and configured to be removable from the solar cell module.   The failure determination system according to claim 3, wherein the sensor device is installed on a surface different from a surface on which the solar cell module receives sunlight.   5. The failure determination system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device further includes a power supply unit that receives a part of the power generated by the solar cell module, and operates with the power. A plurality of the solar cell modules are connected in series,
A switch part for short-circuiting the solar cell module by closing;
The sensor device controls a receiving unit that receives a switch control signal from the failure determination device, and opens the switch unit until the switch control signal is received, and the switch control signal is received. A switch control unit that controls to close the switch unit in response,
The failure determination device further includes a transmission unit that transmits a switch control signal to the sensor device when the failure determination unit determines a failure.
The failure determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A sensor device including a sensor unit that measures a state value related to a solar cell module transmits a state value that is a measurement result; and
A failure determination device including a storage unit that stores a threshold value receives the state value from the sensor device; and
The failure determination device determining deterioration or failure of the solar cell module by comparing the state value and the threshold;
The failure determination device outputs a determination result; and
A failure determination method comprising: A computer that includes a storage unit that stores a threshold value and is connected to a sensor device that includes a sensor unit that measures a state value related to the solar cell module and a transmission unit that transmits a state value that is a measurement result.
Receiving the state value from the sensor device;
Determining degradation or failure of the solar cell module by comparing the state value and the threshold;
Outputting a determination result; and
A computer program for running.

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