JP2015043395A - Solar cell device and utilization of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solar cell device which makes it possible to easily evaluate performance of a solar cell module, and an evaluation device for evaluating the solar cell device.SOLUTION: A solar cell device includes previously built-in inspection means for evaluating performance of a solar cell module, which makes it possible to inject current into the solar cell module by using an external power supply such as an external power system without providing an additional device or the like. Thereby, the performance of the solar cell module can be simply evaluated on the basis of electroluminescence.

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar cell device and its use, and more particularly to a solar cell device in which an inspection means for evaluating the performance of a solar cell module is incorporated in advance and its use.

  The use of solar energy is progressing in order to preserve the global environment, and the installation of solar cell modules in which a plurality of solar cell elements are connected to the roofs and walls of ordinary buildings and homes is in progress. However, solar cell modules made of Si (silicon) or the like have not been spread as expected because of high cost.

  One of the reasons for the high cost of the solar cell module is the presence of an inspection process for output characteristics when the solar cell module is irradiated with sunlight, that is, a process for evaluating the quality of the solar cell module. The process of evaluating the output characteristics of the solar cell module is an important measurement item performed in the inspection after manufacturing the solar cell module and in the research and development of the solar cell module.

  So far, the present inventors have injected a current in the forward direction into a silicon-type solar cell module installed in a dark room to generate electroluminescence (EL), and analyze the light emission state to thereby obtain the solar cell module. Has developed a method for evaluating the performance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2006/059615

  Although the technology described above is excellent, it is not enough. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to separately prepare a power source, an inspection device, and the like for injecting a current in the forward direction to the solar cell module. For example, when evaluating the performance of a solar cell module already installed outdoors or a solar system composed of a large number of solar cell modules, there is a problem that it is difficult to evaluate simply because a large-scale power supply with a large capacity is required. .

  For this reason, development of the new technique for evaluating the performance of a solar cell module more simply is calculated | required strongly.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies. As a result, the solar cell device can be simply provided with an inspection device or the like for injecting a current in the forward direction to the solar cell module in advance. We have succeeded in developing a new technology that can evaluate the performance of solar cell modules. Specifically, by providing the solar cell device with inspection means in advance, an external power source such as an external power system is used to inject current into the solar cell module without newly preparing the device. The inventors have found new knowledge that the performance evaluation of solar cell modules can be easily performed based on electroluminescence, and have completed the present invention. That is, the present invention includes the following inventions.

  (1) A solar cell device comprising: a solar cell module; and an inspection unit for injecting a current supplied from an external power source in a forward direction to the solar cell module.

  (2) The solar cell device according to (1), wherein the inspection means is a power conditioner device that adjusts a current bidirectionally.

(3) The power conditioner device includes an inverter and a control unit,
The control unit includes: (i) an operation mode in which a direct current supplied from the solar cell module is converted into an alternating current by the inverter and output to an external power system; and (ii) an alternating current supplied from the external power system. The current is converted into a direct current by the inverter and switched to an inspection mode in which the current is injected into the solar cell module, and the current flowing through the power conditioner device is controlled bidirectionally (2) The solar cell device according to.

  (4) The power conditioner device further includes a converter, and the control unit (i) adjusts a direct current supplied from the solar cell module with the converter and then supplies the direct current supplied from the converter. An operation mode in which the inverter converts the alternating current into an alternating current and outputs the alternating current to the external power system; and (ii) the alternating current supplied from the external power system is converted into a direct current from the inverter, The direct current supplied is adjusted by the converter and then switched between the inspection mode injected into the solar cell module and the current flowing through the power conditioner device is controlled bidirectionally ( The solar cell device according to 3).

  (5) The power conditioner device injects a pulse current or a sine wave current into the solar cell module using the inverter in the inspection mode. The solar cell device described.

  (6) The inspection means injects the current in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module by the first current injection means in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module. The solar cell device according to any one of (1) to (5), further comprising: a second current injection unit that injects a current smaller than the applied current.

  (7) An evaluation device for evaluating the performance of the solar cell device according to (6), wherein an image of the solar cell module is in a state where current is injected by the first current injection means. Image acquisition means for acquiring the first image and the second image in a state where current is injected by the second current injection means, and analyzing the difference between the first image and the second image Then, based on the third image, image forming means for acquiring a third image representing a light emission state caused by current injection in the first current injection means to the solar cell module, the solar cell An evaluation device for a solar cell, comprising: determination means for determining performance in a module.

  (8) The first current injection unit is configured to inject a current by applying a voltage exceeding the photovoltaic power to the solar cell module when the image acquisition unit acquires the first image. The evaluation device according to (7), characterized in that:

  (9) The second current injecting unit applies a voltage equal to or higher than the photovoltaic power to the solar cell module when the image acquiring unit acquires the second image. The evaluation device according to (7) or (8), wherein the evaluation device is injected.

  (10) The second current injection means does not inject current into the solar cell module when the image acquisition means acquires the second image (7) or The evaluation apparatus according to (8).

  (11) The image forming means averages a plurality of first images and second images, and acquires the third image from the difference (7). The evaluation apparatus according to any one of to (10).

  (12) The image forming means alternately acquires the first image and the second image a plurality of times, and obtains the sum of the differences between the first image and the second image at each time. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of (7) to (11), wherein

  (13) The image forming means acquires an image by removing the influence of the photovoltaic force caused by the disturbance light irradiated to the solar cell module by synchronous detection (7) The evaluation apparatus as described in any one of (12).

  (14) It further includes emission detection means for detecting light in the first region having a wavelength of 800 nm to 1300 nm and light in the second region having a wavelength of 1400 nm to 1800 nm among the light emission generated in the third image, In the determination unit, the intrinsic defect and the extrinsic defect are distinguished using the light emission intensity of the first region detected by the light emission detection unit and the light emission intensity of the second region as an index. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of (7) to (13).

  (15) The evaluation apparatus according to (14), wherein in the light emission detection means, detection is performed using a band-pass filter that selectively transmits light of 1150 nm.

  (16) In the evaluation step, the evaluation device according to any one of (7) to (15) evaluates the performance of the solar cell module installed in the structure, and the replacement instruction device is in the evaluation step. And a step of instructing a solar cell module replacement operator to replace the defective portion of the solar cell module via a communication network based on the inspection result.

  (17) Based on the evaluation device according to any one of (7) to (15) and the evaluation result of the evaluation device, the replacement of the solar cell module is exchanged via a communication network. A maintenance system for a solar cell module, comprising: a replacement instruction device for instructing a person.

  (18) A solar cell module and a conductive member connected to the solar cell module, wherein the conductive member injects a current supplied from an external power source in the forward direction to the solar cell module. A solar cell device characterized in that

  (19) An evaluation device for evaluating the performance of the solar cell device according to (18), wherein the image acquisition unit acquires an image of a solar cell module into which current is injected through the conductive member, and A solar cell evaluation device comprising: a determination unit that determines the performance of the solar cell module based on an image.

  According to the solar cell device or the evaluation device according to the present invention, since the inspection means is provided, an external power source such as an external power system is used, and a solar cell module is newly prepared without preparing a device or the like. An electric current can be injected, and it is possible to easily evaluate the performance of the solar cell module based on electroluminescence.

It is the figure which showed typically an example of the structure of the solar cell apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically another example of the structure of the solar cell apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically an example of a structure of the evaluation apparatus of the solar cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically an example of the evaluation apparatus of the solar cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the functional block diagram showing typically an example of the maintenance system of the solar cell module concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of the maintenance system of the solar cell module which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. In addition, all the academic literatures and patent literatures described in this specification are incorporated by reference in this specification. Unless otherwise specified in this specification, “A to B” representing a numerical range means “A or more (including A and greater than A) and B or less (including B and less than B)”.

<1. Solar cell device>
The solar cell device of the present invention only needs to include a solar cell module and an inspection unit (inspection means) for injecting a current supplied from an external power source in the forward direction to the solar cell module. Other specific configurations, sizes, shapes, and other conditions are not particularly limited.

  In the present specification, the “solar cell module” refers to a device in which solar cell elements, which are the minimum structural units that receive light and generate current by the photoconductive effect and / or the photovoltaic effect, are connected to each other. . For example, a solar cell element having a size of about 0.5 m × 0.5 m to 1 m × 1 m, in which about 10 to 50 solar cell elements having a size of 10 cm × 10 cm to 15 cm × 15 cm are connected. In this specification, the “solar cell module” includes “solar cell panel” that is an assembly of modules, and “mega solar system” that is an assembly of the “solar cell panel”, A solar cell element is included. Specific examples of the solar cell module include a solar cell module made of a polycrystalline silicon semiconductor, high-efficiency single crystal silicon, amorphous silicon, and a compound thin film solar cell.

  The solar cell module emits light when an electric current is injected in the forward direction (electroluminescence). “Injecting current in the forward direction” means applying a bias to the so-called solar cell module in order to inject current in the forward direction. By applying an external voltage having a positive (+) polarity to the p-type region side and a negative (-) polarity to the n-type region side of the pn junction of the solar cell module, a current is injected in the forward direction. Thereby, the light by electroluminescence is radiated | emitted from a solar cell module. The performance of the solar cell module can be determined from the emission intensity of the solar cell module.

  In the present specification, the “inspection unit (inspection means)” may be any means for injecting a current supplied from an external power source to the solar cell module in the forward direction, and its configuration is particularly limited. It is not a thing. For example, the power conditioner apparatus mentioned later, the electrically-conductive member pulled out from the solar cell module, etc. can be mentioned.

  The “external power source” may be any device as long as it supplies a current to be injected into the solar cell module to the inspection means, and various power sources can be suitably used. For example, a DC power source for injecting a DC current into an external power system or a solar cell module, a power source for injecting a pulse current, or a sine wave using an inverter may be used as appropriate. The external power system is intended to be a power network that performs power transmission and / or distribution.

  The “current” in this specification may be a direct current or a pulse current, and a current other than those described above, for example, a triangular wave using an inverter or a sine wave may be slightly modified. Various currents such as modified sine waves can be used. In addition, in the solar cell evaluation device described later, when acquiring the third image by synchronous detection, it is preferable to emit light by photovoltaic power caused by light (so-called background light or disturbance light) irradiated on the solar cell module. In order to eliminate this, it is preferable to use a power source for injecting a pulse current or a sine wave using an inverter.

  As described above, if the solar cell device is configured to have inspection means in advance, it is not necessary to prepare an inspection device or the like separately, and an external power source such as an external power system is used to supply current to the solar cell module. And the performance of the solar cell module can be easily evaluated based on electroluminescence.

  The inspection unit is preferably a power conditioner device that adjusts the current bidirectionally. The power conditioner device is preferably provided with an inverter and a control unit, but is not limited thereto. In addition to the inverter, other circuits such as a converter, other various switching elements, electronic components such as a diode and an MPPT circuit You may have.

  The power conditioner device preferably adjusts the current bidirectionally. “To adjust the current bidirectionally” in the solar cell device is intended to adjust and control the current flow in both directions. For example, the current supplied from the solar cell module is transferred to the external power system. This means that the current is controlled to flow arbitrarily in either of the two directions, ie, the output direction and the direction in which the current supplied from the external power system is injected into the solar cell module.

  The power conditioner device preferably includes an inverter and a control unit. The control unit (i) converts the direct current supplied from the solar cell module into an alternating current by the inverter. The power mode is switched between the operation mode output to the external power system, and (ii) the inspection mode in which the inverter converts the alternating current supplied from the external power system into a direct current and injects it into the solar cell module. It is preferable that the current flowing through the conditioner device is controlled in both directions.

  The power conditioner device may further include a converter in addition to the inverter and the control unit described above. In this case, the control unit (i) after adjusting the direct current supplied from the solar cell module by the converter, the inverter converts the direct current supplied from the converter into an alternating current, The operation mode to be output to the external power system, and (ii) after the inverter converts the alternating current supplied from the external power system into the direct current, the direct current supplied from the inverter is adjusted by the converter It is preferable that the current flowing in the power conditioner device is controlled bidirectionally by switching between the inspection mode injected into the solar cell module.

  The said inverter should just be an apparatus (converter) which converts direct current | flow and alternating current, A various converter etc. can be utilized suitably and it does not specifically limit.

  The converter need only be a device (DC / DC converter) that converts a direct current of a certain voltage into a direct current of a different voltage, and various converters and the like can be suitably used. Absent.

  The said control part should just control operation | movement of a power conditioner apparatus, and conditions, such as the concrete structure, a magnitude | size, a shape, are not specifically limited. For example, an inverter and / or a converter that controls the operation of the converter can be used. In particular, it is preferable that the control unit controls the current flowing in the power conditioner device bidirectionally by switching between the operation mode and the inspection mode.

  The solar cell device uses an external power source such as an external power system by the control unit switching between the operation mode and the inspection mode and bidirectionally controlling a current conducted in the power conditioner device. Thus, it is possible to simply inject current into the solar cell module and evaluate its performance without newly preparing an inspection device or the like.

  In the solar cell device, the power conditioner device may inject a pulse current or a sine wave current into the solar cell module using the inverter in the inspection mode.

  In addition to the above-described inverter, converter, and control unit, various electronic components such as a diode and a protection circuit may be mounted on the power conditioner device. It is also assumed that the power conditioner device includes an electronic circuit having a function of preventing current injection into the solar cell module. For example, there may be a circuit or system that rectifies the conduction direction of the current in the power conditioner device so that the current flows only in one direction, that is, the direction of the operation mode, thereby inhibiting the appearance of the inspection mode. In such a case, in the power conditioner device, various electronic circuits for causing the functions of the above-described inspection mode to be employed are bypassed or circuit designed to bypass the above-described electronic circuit or system for inhibiting the above-described inspection mode. It is preferable to do.

  Hereinafter, the solar cell device will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, one Embodiment of the solar cell apparatus 100 of this invention is shown. The solar cell device 100 includes a solar cell module 1 and a power conditioner device 2, and is electrically connected to the external power system 3. The power conditioner device 2 includes an inverter 4 and a control unit 5. The solar cell module 1 and the external power system 3 are connected via an inverter 4 inside the power conditioner device 2. The controller 5 controls the operation of the power conditioner device 2, particularly the inverter 4. In FIG. 1, the number of solar cell modules 1 is three, but this is only an example, and a desired number of solar cell modules can be installed.

  When the solar cell module 1 is irradiated with sunlight, it generates electricity. At this time, a mode in which the current supplied from the solar cell module 1 flows in the direction of the external power system 3 via the inverter 4 is referred to as an operation mode. On the other hand, a mode in which a current supplied from the external power system 3 is injected into the solar cell module 1 via the inverter 4 is referred to as an inspection mode.

  An example of the operation of the solar cell device 100 will be described based on FIG. First, the operation mode will be described. When the solar cell device 100 performs solar power generation, the control unit 5 instructs the inverter 4 to function as an operation mode. That is, the inverter 4 is set to a mode in which the current supplied from the solar cell module 1 flows toward the external power system 3. The direct current generated by photovoltaic power generation by the solar cell module 1 is supplied to the inverter 4. The inverter 4 converts the direct current supplied from the solar cell module 1 into an alternating current, and outputs the alternating current to the external power system 3.

  Next, the inspection mode will be described. The control unit 5 instructs the inverter 4 to function as an inspection mode. That is, the inverter 4 is set to a mode in which the current supplied from the external power system 3 is injected in the direction of the solar cell module 1. An alternating current is supplied from the external power system 3 to the inverter 4. The inverter 4 converts the alternating current supplied from the external power system 3 into a direct current, and injects the direct current into the solar cell module 1. The solar cell module 1 emits light when an electric current is injected in the forward direction (electroluminescence). The light emission state (light emission intensity or dark part) of the solar cell module 1 is analyzed using, for example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 or an evaluation device described later, and the performance of the solar cell module is evaluated.

  FIG. 2 shows a solar cell device 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The solar cell device 101 includes a solar cell module 1 and a power conditioner device 2, and is electrically connected to the external power system 3. The difference from the solar cell device 100 is that the power conditioner device 2 further includes a converter 6 in addition to the inverter 4 and the control unit 5. For this reason, it demonstrates focusing on this difference and the description of the part which overlaps with the solar cell apparatus 100 is abbreviate | omitted.

  The solar cell module 1 is connected to a converter 6, and the external power system 3, the control unit 5, and the converter 6 are connected via an inverter 4. First, the solar cell device 101 in the operation mode will be described. The power conditioner device 2 (in particular, the inverter 4) is set to the operation mode by the control unit 5. The direct current supplied from the solar cell module 1 by solar power generation is output to the inverter 4 after the voltage is adjusted by the converter 6. In the inverter 4, the direct current supplied from the converter 6 is converted into an alternating current and output to the external power system 3.

  Next, the inspection mode will be described. The control unit 5 sets the power conditioner device 2 (particularly, the inverter 4) to the inspection mode. The alternating current supplied from the external power system 3 is converted into a direct current by the inverter 4 and output to the converter 6. In the converter 6, the voltage of the direct current supplied from the inverter 4 is adjusted and injected into the solar cell module 1 in the forward direction. Then, the light emission state of the solar cell module 1 is analyzed using the technique described in Patent Document 1 and an evaluation device described later, and the performance of the solar cell module is evaluated.

<2. Solar cell evaluation system>
Conventionally, a method for evaluating the performance of a solar cell module without injecting current into the solar cell module has been developed. For example, a technique for evaluating the performance of a solar cell module by modulating the operating conditions with a device such as an inverter and detecting the light emission state of the solar cell module under sunlight with respect to the solar cell module has been reported. Yes. However, the light emission state obtained by this technology has the disadvantage that it changes depending on the amount of sunlight (L. Stoicescu, M. Reuter, and JH Werner, Daylight Luminescence for Photovoltaic System Testing, in Proc. 22nd International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference (Hangzhou, China, 2012)).

  The above technique is a technique for evaluating the performance of a solar cell module by modulating the load that sunlight gives to the solar cell module. That is, it is a technique for evaluating the performance of a solar cell module in the state where sunlight is irradiated. Therefore, with the above technology, it is difficult to evaluate the performance of the solar cell module in the state where sunlight is not irradiated, and the intensity of sunlight varies quantitatively due to weather. Is difficult.

  Therefore, the present inventors have developed a solar cell evaluation apparatus that can quantitatively evaluate the performance of the solar cell module regardless of the presence or absence of sunlight in order to solve the above-described problems.

  Hereinafter, a solar cell evaluation apparatus according to the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “the present evaluation apparatus”), a maintenance method and a maintenance system using the evaluation apparatus, and the like will be described in detail.

  The solar cell evaluation device of the present invention may be any device that evaluates the performance of the solar cell device, and other specific configurations are not particularly limited. For example, various evaluation techniques developed so far by the present inventors can be suitably used (Patent Document 1, International Publication No. WO2007 / 129585, International Publication Nos. WO2011 / 016441, JP2011-35272, etc.).

  Among the solar cell devices, it is preferable to target the above-described solar cell device. That is, in this evaluation apparatus, the inspection means in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module, the first current injection portion (first current injection means) for injecting current in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module. Evaluation for evaluating the performance of a solar cell device comprising: a second current injection unit (second current injection unit) that injects a current smaller than the current injected by the first current injection unit. An apparatus is preferred.

  In this evaluation apparatus, as an image of the solar cell module, a first image in which a current is injected by the first current injection unit and a state in which a current is injected by the second current injection unit An image acquisition unit (image acquisition means) for acquiring the second image, and a first current injection unit for the solar cell module by analyzing a difference between the first image and the second image. An image forming unit (image forming unit) that acquires a third image representing a light emission state caused by current injection in the unit, and a determination unit (determination) that determines performance in the solar cell module based on the third image Other specific conditions such as configuration, size, and shape are not particularly limited.

  According to the said structure, this evaluation apparatus can evaluate the performance of a solar cell module quantitatively irrespective of the presence or absence of sunlight. For this reason, for example, a solar system composed of a solar cell module already installed outdoors or a large number of solar cell modules can be easily maintained.

  In this specification, “evaluating the performance of the solar cell device” (hereinafter also referred to as “evaluating the performance of the solar cell module”) means the photoconductive effect in the solar cell module provided in the solar cell device and / or Or it means evaluating the performance for photovoltaic effect.

  In addition, the evaluation apparatus detects a light emission in a first region having a wavelength of 800 nm to 1300 nm and a light of a second region having a wavelength of 1400 nm to 1800 nm among the light emission generated in the third image ( A light emission detecting means), and the determination unit uses the light emission intensity of the first region and the light emission intensity of the second region detected by the light emission detection unit as indicators, Can be distinguished from defects.

  In the present specification, the “endogenous defect” means a defect caused by an internal factor. “Intrinsic defects” are defects caused by the physical properties of the solar cell module such as crystal defects, crystal dislocations, and crystal grain boundaries, and affect the function of the solar cell module. Does not significantly affect reliability.

  In the present specification, “exogenous defect” means a defect caused by an external factor. “Exogenous defects” are mechanical defects of the solar cell module, such as substrate cracks (micro cracks, etc.), electrode breakage, electrode contact failure, etc., which produce solar cell module reliability and solar cell modules This adversely affects the production yield at the time, and becomes a decisive factor for efficiently mass-producing highly reliable solar cell modules.

  The decrease in the performance of the solar cell module is generally due to defects caused by internal factors (internal defects) and defects caused by external factors (external defects). In the solar cell module evaluation method described above, these defects are determined to indicate that the performance of the solar cell module is degraded.

  Hereafter, each said member (each means) is demonstrated in detail. In addition, specific members other than these members, materials, conditions, devices and apparatuses to be used are not particularly limited, and various methods and the like can be suitably used.

<2-1. Current injection part>
Since this current injection part is provided in the inspection means, it is a part of the solar cell device, but preferably functions in cooperation with this evaluation device. This will be described in the apparatus column.

  The first current injection unit may be any unit that injects a current in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited. The current to be injected may be a direct current or a pulse current.

The magnitude of the current injected by the first current injection unit is not particularly limited, but the current density of the injected current is at least higher than the current injected by the second current injection unit, for example, 5 to 120 mA. / Cm ² is preferable, 5 to 80 mA / cm ² is more preferable, and 5 to 40 mA / cm ² is still more preferable. When the solar cell module to be evaluated is single crystal silicon, the current density is about 1/4 to 4 times the current density (for example, 40 mA / cm ² ) of the current actually generated by photoelectric conversion of the solar cell element. It is preferable to inject current. If it is this range, in the evaluation apparatus mentioned later, the electroluminescence image relevant to the performance evaluation of a solar cell module can be acquired.

  The first current injection unit and the second current injection unit are preferably provided in the power conditioner device as the above-described inspection means. In such a case, in the power conditioner device, the first current injection unit and the second current injection unit are preferably provided between the inverter and the solar cell module or between the converter and the inverter and the solar cell module. In the power conditioner device, it is preferable that the control unit controls operations of the first current injection unit and the second current injection unit.

  Moreover, in the solar cell module under light irradiation, photovoltaic power is generated by photoelectric conversion. For this reason, it is preferable that a 1st electric current injection | pouring part is an apparatus which inject | pours the electric current equivalent to applying the voltage exceeding the photovoltaic power generated in a solar cell module under light irradiation.

  The second current injection unit may be any unit that injects a current smaller than the current injected by the first current injection unit in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module. The specific configuration and the like are not particularly limited. The current to be injected may be a direct current or a pulse current.

  “Injecting a current smaller than the current injected by the first current injection unit” means that a current smaller than the current injected by the first current injection unit may be injected. The thickness is not particularly limited. For example, a current corresponding to that current is injected by applying a voltage equal to or higher than the photovoltaic power generated in the solar cell module under light irradiation, or no current is injected. May be.

  Since the current injected into the solar cell module by the second current injection unit is smaller than the current injected by the first current injection unit, light emission of the solar cell module by the current injected by the first current injection unit A difference can be produced between the state and the light emission state of the solar cell module due to the current injected by the second current injection unit. That is, the light emission intensity of the solar cell module due to the current injected by the second current injection unit is weaker than the light emission intensity of the solar cell module due to the current injected by the first current injection unit.

  For example, when current is injected by applying a voltage equal to or higher than the photovoltaic power generated in the solar cell module under light irradiation, the voltage applied artificially for current injection is generated from the solar cell module. Therefore, the solar cell module itself does not flow, and the solar cell module does not emit light. Similarly, when no current is injected into the solar cell module, the solar cell module does not emit light. Similarly, when no current is injected into the solar cell module, the solar cell module does not emit light due to the current injection.

The magnitude of the current injected by the second current injection portion is not particularly limited, but is at least smaller than the current density injected by the first current injection portion, for example, less than 5 to 120 mA / cm ^2. preferably, it is more preferably less than 5~80mA / cm ^2, more preferably less than 5 to 40 mA / cm ^2. At that time, the larger the current density difference between the current injected by the first current injection portion and the current injected by the second current injection portion is, in the later-described <2-5> column, the electroluminescence of the solar cell module. It is easy to detect the intensity of the emission intensity.

  The first current injection part and the second current injection part may be the same member or different members.

  In the present specification, a process in which the first current injection unit and the second current injection unit inject current into the solar cell module is referred to as a “current injection process”.

<2-2. Image acquisition unit>
The image acquisition unit is an image of the solar cell module in which a current is injected by the first current injection unit and a current is injected by the second current injection unit. As long as the second image can be acquired, the specific configuration and the like are not particularly limited.

  The “first image” is an image of the solar cell module that emits light when the first current injection unit injects current, and can be rephrased as an image showing the distribution of light emission characteristics of the solar cell module. “Luminescence characteristics” includes emission intensity and spectral characteristics (emission intensity of each spectrum).

  As described above, the current injected by the second current injection unit into the solar cell module is smaller than the current injected by the first current injection unit. "Is an image whose emission intensity is weaker than that of the first image. Also, for example, when current is injected by applying a voltage equal to or higher than the photovoltaic power generated in the solar cell module under light irradiation, or when current is not injected into the solar cell module, light emission It is an image of a solar cell module without.

  The said image acquisition part can use the various image acquisition means (apparatus) which can detect the light from a solar cell module, The specific structure etc. are not specifically limited.

  As the image acquisition device, a photodetector such as a CCD camera and an image intensifier can be used. As an image acquisition apparatus, for example, an InGaAs camera (manufactured by Xenics, product number XEVA-1.7 series), a CCD camera (manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics, product number C8250-20), and an Si CCD camera (manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics, product number C9299). -02) and the like. Examples of the image intensifier include an image intensifier (part number V8071U-76) manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics Co., Ltd., which can detect light in a wavelength region of 360 nm to 1100 nm. When light is detected using such a CCD camera and a photodetector such as an image intensifier, the light emission state in the solar cell module can be observed as an image. That is, the in-plane distribution of light emission in the solar cell module can be collectively measured two-dimensionally. The solar cell module can be easily and quickly evaluated.

  In the present specification, a process in which the image acquisition unit acquires an image of the solar cell module is referred to as an “image acquisition process”.

<2-3. Image forming unit>
The image forming unit analyzes the difference between the first image and the second image obtained by the image acquisition unit, and performs current injection at the first current injection unit to the solar cell module. What is necessary is just to acquire the 3rd image showing the light emission state which originates, and the specific structure etc. are not specifically limited. That is, by analyzing the difference between the first image and the second image, light other than the electroluminescence of the solar cell module, that is, background light, disturbance light, etc. under light irradiation is excluded, and the first substantially What is necessary is just to acquire the image which analyzes only the electroluminescence of the solar cell module resulting from the electric current which the current injection part injected.

  “Analyzing the difference between the first image and the second image” means, for example, the light emission intensity of the solar cell module obtained from the second image from the light emission intensity of the solar cell module obtained from the first image. Including subtracting. In this case, the “third image” refers to the emission intensity obtained by subtracting the emission intensity of the solar cell module obtained from the second image from the emission intensity of the solar cell module obtained from the first image. It is a representation.

  In the case where it is difficult to obtain the difference between the first image and the second image due to the presence of background light, disturbance light, or the like, or in order to obtain a more accurate result, the image forming unit was obtained. A plurality of first images and second images may be averaged, and a third image may be acquired from the difference. “Averaging processing” means taking the average value of the light emission intensities of a plurality of first images and second images. The image forming unit may alternately acquire the first image and acquire the second image a plurality of times, and obtain a sum of differences between the first image and the second image each time. Good. Thereby, a high quality 3rd image with a high SN ratio (signal noise ratio) is acquirable.

  In addition, the image forming unit acquires a third image by removing light emission caused by the photovoltaic force caused by light (so-called background light or disturbance light) irradiated on the solar cell module by synchronous detection. There may be. A high-quality third image can also be acquired by removing light emission due to the photovoltaic force caused by the light applied to the solar cell module by synchronous detection.

  Various techniques are known for the averaging process, the process of obtaining the sum of differences, or the synchronous detection process at the time of filing of the present application, and these can be suitably used.

  In the present specification, a process in which the image forming unit forms the third image is referred to as an “image forming process”.

<2-4. Luminescence detector>
The light emission detection unit is a conventionally known light detection capable of detecting light in a first region having a wavelength of 800 nm to 1300 nm and light in a second region having a wavelength of 1400 nm to 1800 nm among light emission generated in the third image. Any means (apparatus) may be used, and a specific method thereof is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known technique can be suitably used.

  As the photodetection device, a photo detector such as a CCD camera and an image intensifier similar to the image acquisition device described in the section <2-2> can be used. A specific photodetection device is the same as that in <2-2> described above, and is omitted here.

  The light emission detection unit is preferably a member that can detect light in the first region and light in the second region using a single light detection device. According to this, since the replacement of the light detection device and the accompanying position adjustment are not required, it is possible to more easily detect the light in the first region and the light in the second region. In this case, for example, an InGaAs camera or a CCD camera can be used as the light detection device. The light emission detection unit may be a separate light detection device for the light in the first region and the light in the second region. In this case, for example, a Si CCD camera, an InGaAs camera, and a CCD camera can be used in combination as the photodetection device, an image intensifier (manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics Co., Ltd., product number V8071U-76), an InGaAs camera, and a CCD. It can also be used with a camera. Furthermore, these three types of photodetectors can be combined.

  As described above, the photodetection device is one photodetection device such as an InGaAs camera or a CCD camera, and simultaneously detects a wavelength region of 800 nm to 1800 nm, that is, light in the first region and light in the second region. In this case, it is preferable to use a band-pass filter that selectively passes these lights. Thereby, the light of the first region and the light of the second region can be efficiently detected and observed separately. That is, in the detection of the light of the first region and the light of the second region, the light detection device capable of simultaneously detecting the light of the first region and the light of the second region, and the light of the first region Alternatively, it can be said that detection is preferably performed using a band-pass filter that selectively passes either light in the second region.

  Each bandpass filter may be disposed between the solar cell module and the photodetection device so that light generated from the solar cell module passes through the bandpass filter before reaching the photodetection device. You may equip with the lens part of a detection apparatus. An example of a bandpass filter that selectively transmits light in the first region is BROAD BANDPASS FILTER (manufactured by SPECTROGON, part number BBP-0910-1170C), and selectively transmits light in the second region. Examples of the bandpass filter include BROAD BANDPASS FILTER (product number BBP-1350-1600C, manufactured by SPECTROGON).

  Thus, since the wavelength region and emission intensity of the light generated from the third image differ depending on the type of defect, the light of each wavelength is detected using a different bandpass filter having a different wavelength pass band, and the emission intensity. By performing a comparative analysis based on the above, it is possible to easily and quickly evaluate the defect.

  Note that among the light emission generated from the third image, light in the first region is light having a wavelength of 800 nm to 1300 nm, preferably 900 nm to 1250 nm, and more preferably 1100 nm to 1200 nm. In addition, among the light emission generated from the third image, light in the second region is light having a wavelength of 1400 nm to 1800 nm, preferably 1500 nm to 1700 nm, and more preferably 1550 nm to 1650 nm. The light peak in the first region has a wavelength of 1150 nm, and the light peak in the second region has a wavelength of 1600 nm.

  Since the peak of light in the first region is 1150 nm, it is preferable to use a 1150 nm bandpass filter.

<2-5. Judgment part>
The determination unit determines the performance of the solar cell module based on the third image obtained by the image forming unit, and the specific configuration thereof is not particularly limited. The determination unit determines whether the defect in the solar cell module is due to an intrinsic defect or an extrinsic defect based on light emission of the third image obtained by the light emission detection unit. It is preferable.

  “Determining based on the third image” means determining whether the performance of the solar cell module is good or not, using the intensity of electroluminescence emission of the solar cell module obtained from the third image as an index. To do. When the emission intensity in the third image is greater than a predetermined value, the performance of the solar cell module is determined to be good, and when the emission intensity is less than the predetermined value, the performance of the solar cell module is determined to be poor. .

  Here, the “predetermined value” can be appropriately set and is not particularly limited. For example, when it falls below this value, it may be a so-called threshold value that a sufficient photoelectric conversion performance cannot be obtained, or a non-defective solar cell module or a defective solar cell produced in a manufacturing factory. An average value of the light emission characteristics of the module may be measured in advance, and this value may be a predetermined value. That is, the determination unit compares the obtained light emission intensity with a preset reference value, and various techniques can be suitably used as specific determination methods.

  Further, the determination unit can distinguish between intrinsic defects and extrinsic defects using the light emission intensity of the first region and the light emission intensity of the second region detected by the light emission detection unit as an index. It is preferable.

  In this case, for example, the determination unit compares the light emission intensity of the first region and the light emission intensity of the second region with the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and compares the results. Perform the process. The comparison method is not particularly limited.

  As a method for comparing with the first threshold value and the second threshold value, for example, there is a method of digitizing the emission intensity in the third image detected by the light detection device, and comparing the result. .

  For example, the determination unit determines that a defect exists when (i) the emission intensity of the first region is equal to or lower than the first threshold, and (ii) a portion determined to have a defect in the determination of (i) When the emission intensity of the second region is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, the part may be determined to be an intrinsic defect, and the other part may be determined to be an extrinsic defect. According to this, first, after detecting a site where a defect exists based on the light emission intensity of the first region, the defect detected based on the light emission intensity of the second region is an intrinsic defect, or is extrinsic. Whether it is a defect can be sorted out.

  In the determination unit, (iii) a portion where the emission intensity of the first region is equal to or lower than the first threshold and the emission intensity of the second region is equal to or higher than the second threshold is an intrinsic defect. (Iv) A portion where the emission intensity of the first region is less than or equal to the first threshold and the emission intensity of the second region is less than the second threshold is determined to be an extrinsic defect. May be. The order of the determination of (iii) and the determination of (iv) is not particularly limited, and the determination of (iv) may be performed after the determination of (iii) is performed first, or vice versa. . Further, the determination of (iii) and the determination of (iv) may be performed in parallel. In particular, by performing the determination of (iii) and the determination of (iv) in parallel, the defect of the solar cell module can be evaluated more quickly than when the determination of (i) and the determination of (ii) are performed. It can be carried out.

  The “first threshold value” and the “second threshold value” in the determinations (i) to (iv) may be different from each other or the same. For example, the “first threshold” in the determination of (i) is the same as the “first threshold” for comparing the emission intensity of the first region in the determinations of (iii) and (iv), and (ii) The “second threshold value” in the determination of () and the “second threshold value” for comparing the emission intensity of the second region in the determinations of (iii) and (iv) can be cited.

  In addition, the “first threshold value” and the “second threshold value” are values for determining defects, and can be set as appropriate, considering the performance of the desired solar cell element, the yield, and the like. The user can set it arbitrarily. When the first threshold value is set low, the yield can be improved, and when the first threshold value is set high, a solar cell element with better quality can be obtained. When the second threshold value is set high, the yield can be improved, and when the second threshold value is set low, a solar cell element with better quality can be obtained. For example, the site | part in which the intrinsic defect and / or the extrinsic defect in a solar cell element exist previously using various methods, The light emission intensity | strength or 2nd of the 1st area | region from these parts The threshold value may be set by quantifying the light emission intensity of the region. This is a value as a so-called control. Such a threshold value may be set based on the solar cell to be evaluated, or may be set in advance based on another solar cell.

  For example, the “first threshold value” is the value of the light emission intensity of the first region generated from the normal part of the solar cell module when the current injection unit injects current into the solar cell module. 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% of the light emission intensity of the first region generated from the normal part of the solar cell module, or It may be a value of 10%. If the first threshold value is set close to the emission intensity generated from the normal part of the solar cell module, a minor defect can be detected. On the other hand, a more severe defect can be detected as the first threshold value is set lower than the emission intensity generated from the normal part of the solar cell module. The “normal part” is intended to be a part of the solar cell in which neither an intrinsic defect nor an extrinsic defect exists. Note that the threshold value is preferably measured and determined in advance.

  Similarly, the “second threshold value” is the light emission intensity of the second region generated from the site where the intrinsic defect of the solar cell module is present when the current injection unit injects current into the solar cell module. Or a value slightly lower than the light emission intensity of the second region generated from the site where the intrinsic defect exists, for example, a value of about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%. It may be.

  In the present specification, the step in which the determination unit determines the performance of the solar cell module based on the third image obtained by the image forming unit is referred to as a “determination step”.

<2-6. Evaluation under actual operating conditions>
The solar cell module evaluation method using the evaluation apparatus described above can be applied to all types of solar cell modules. That is, the evaluation method described above is for an arbitrary solar cell module composed of a crystalline or amorphous solar cell element, a compound semiconductor solar cell element, a dye-sensitized solar cell element, an organic solar cell element, or the like. Can be applied. For example, the solar cell element constituting the solar cell module to be evaluated by the evaluation method is not particularly limited as long as it is a solar cell element having various semiconductor materials as main components. It is preferable to include a silicon semiconductor as a main constituent member. Moreover, it is preferable that the silicon semiconductor used for the said solar cell element is a single crystal, a polycrystal, or an amorphous silicon semiconductor. In this specification, “providing as a main constituent member” means that any other member or component may be provided as long as a silicon semiconductor is provided as a main constituent member.

  Especially, it is preferable that it is a solar cell element provided with a polycrystalline silicon semiconductor as a main structural member. When a solar cell element is produced using a polycrystalline silicon semiconductor as a main constituent member, it is difficult to obtain a uniform in-plane distribution, so quality evaluation and performance check using the above evaluation method are very important. It will be a thing.

  In addition, when current is injected in a forward direction into a solar cell module having a single crystal and / or polycrystalline silicon semiconductor as a main component, light in a wavelength region of 1000 nm to 1300 nm is strongly emitted. Therefore, in the above evaluation method, the performance of the solar cell module can be more accurately evaluated by detecting the emission intensity particularly in the wavelength region of 1000 nm to 1300 nm.

The current density injected by the first current injection unit and the second current injection unit is preferably substantially the same as the operating current of the solar cell module. Here, the “operating current of the solar cell module” means a current actually generated by photoelectric conversion when the solar cell element to be evaluated is irradiated with sunlight. For example, in the case of a solar cell element made of silicon semiconductor, it is 5 to 40 mA / cm ² , but is not limited to this value, and is appropriately determined depending on the materials and compositions of various solar cell elements and various solar cell modules. Needless to say, it can be changed. In addition, the rational numerical range which can show the effect of this invention even if it is out of the said numerical range is included in the technical scope of this invention.

  It is preferable to use a long-pass filter (1R pass 900 nm or more pass) for the third image of the solar cell element including a polycrystalline silicon semiconductor as a main constituent member. When light emission having a wavelength of 900 nm or more in the third image is observed, it can be confirmed that a white to black portion is present in the third image. Thus, in the third image, the white part (light emitting part) is a normal part having neither intrinsic defect nor extrinsic defect, and the black part (part not emitting light) is the intrinsic defect. Alternatively, it can be identified that the site has an extrinsic defect. That is, it can be determined that an intrinsic defect or an extrinsic defect exists regardless of the presence or absence of sunlight.

  Thus, the photoelectric conversion performance and / or reliability of the solar cell module can be more accurately evaluated by performing evaluation under actual operating conditions. However, the conditions for performing the solar cell module evaluation method using the evaluation apparatus of the present invention are not limited to such actual operating conditions, and vary according to the relationship between the performance of the camera, the exposure time, and the amount of defects. Optimal conditions can be set as appropriate.

  As described above, according to the solar cell module evaluation method using the evaluation apparatus of the present invention, the performance of the solar cell module is quantified regardless of the presence or absence of sunlight as compared with the conventional solar cell module evaluation method. Can be evaluated. Moreover, according to the said evaluation method, the magnitude | size of the solar cell module used as evaluation object is not specifically limited, The thing of various magnitude | sizes can be used. For example, it can be used for a “solar cell panel” that is an assembly of solar cell modules, and a “mega solar system” that is an assembly of the “solar cell panels”.

<2-7. One Embodiment of Evaluation Device for Solar Cell>
Based on FIG. 3, one Embodiment of the evaluation apparatus 200 of the solar cell of this invention is described. As shown in the figure, the solar cell evaluation apparatus 200 according to this embodiment includes an image acquisition unit 17, a comb probe 9, a copper plate 10, a DC power source 11, and an image processor 12. Moreover, the evaluation apparatus 200 sets the solar cell element 18 as an evaluation target. A solar cell module in which a plurality of solar cell elements are connected or an assembly thereof may be an evaluation target.

  The image acquisition unit 17 functions as an image acquisition device including a CCD camera. The image acquisition unit 17 includes an InGaAs CCD camera 7 and a lens 8.

  As the lens 8, a normal lens or a zoom lens can be used.

  Further, when the InGaAs CCD camera 7 is used as the image acquisition unit 17 and the solar cell elements 18 having different sizes are evaluated, the performance described in Table 1 below may be provided.

  Specifically, in the element photographing mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the CCD camera is installed in the parallel direction of the solar cell element to shoot, but in the module photographing mode, the CCD camera is placed on the solar cell module. Install and shoot and measure.

  The size (cell size) of the solar cell element 18 to be evaluated in the element photographing mode is, for example, a size: about 10 mm × 10 mm, 20 mm × 20 mm, 100 mm × 100 mm, 150 mm × 150 mm, 160 mm × 160 mm, The thing of 200 mm x 200 mm and thickness: 0.3 mm or less can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the distance between the lens 8 of the image acquisition unit 17 and the solar cell element 18 is set to 150 mm or more and 400 mm or less, and the image acquisition unit 17 is within the above range with respect to the solar cell element 18. It is preferable to be installed so as to be movable at a distance.

  The comb probe 9 is a surface contact for injecting a current into the solar cell element 18. The comb probe 9 is composed of a pair of comb-shaped probes as shown in the figure, and one comb corresponds to one electrode of the solar cell element constituting the solar cell element 18. It is preferable that the probe has a comb structure since a current can be uniformly injected into the solar cell element 18.

  In particular, the comb probe 9 used for the 100 mm × 100 mm cell, 150 mm × 150 mm cell, and 200 mm × 200 mm cell may have different lengths of the pass bar electrodes and widths between the electrodes. For example, a pair of comb-shaped probes manufactured by Atosystem can be used. In this case, it is preferable that the width interval between the two comb-shaped probes is configured to be adjustable. Moreover, although the space | interval of the "comb" in a comb-shaped probe is not specifically limited, For example, what is necessary is just 9 mm. Moreover, the thickness of one comb of the probe can be 1 mm. One comb probe 9 is preferably used for each electrode.

  When the solar cell element 18 is 10 mm × 10 mm or 20 mm × 20 mm, a probe (one piece) from a positive shower may be used without using the comb probe 9.

  Moreover, the copper plate 10 functions as a back contact. For example, a gold plated copper plate can be used. In this case, the entire surface of the solar cell element 18 is preferably sucked. For example, since the element size changes, the stability is improved by digging and sucking a concentric square groove. Examples of the size of the groove include 8 mm × 8 mm, 18 mm × 18 mm, 98 mm × 98 mm, 148 mm × 148 mm, and 195 mm × 195 mm. Moreover, it is preferable to provide a temperature sensor and / or a cooling device. This is because the temperature of the solar cell element can be kept constant and the measurement / evaluation accuracy is improved.

As the DC power supply 11, a normal DC power supply (which can be injected into a solar cell element at a current density of 1 × 10 ^{−3 to} 5 A / cm ² ) can be used. The voltage may be about 5 V when evaluating solar cell elements, but is preferably about 100 V when evaluating solar cell modules or solar cell panels that are aggregates of solar cell elements. In particular, the voltage is more preferably about 1 to 2 V per solar cell element.

  Further, the comb probe 9, the copper plate 10, and the DC power supply 11 function as a current injection unit 16. The comb probe 9 is fixedly connected to the negative side of the DC power supply 11, and the copper plate 10 is fixedly connected to the positive side of the DC power supply 11. In the present embodiment, the current injection unit 16 functions as a first current injection unit and a second current injection unit.

  When measuring a photovoltaic power generation system of a solar cell module or an assembly thereof, electrodes may be directly connected to the plus and minus of the DC power supply 11.

In the present embodiment, the image processor 12 functions as the image forming unit 13, the determination unit 14, and the instruction unit 15. From the difference between the first image and the second image obtained by the image acquisition unit 17, the image forming unit 13 emits light from the solar cell element 18 caused by the current injected to obtain the first image. It functions as a device for acquiring a third image representing the above. The determination unit 14 functions as a determination device that evaluates the performance of the solar cell element 18. The instruction unit 15 functions to give an instruction to acquire the second image after obtaining the first image, or functions to give an instruction to acquire the third image. The operation of the so-called evaluation apparatus as a whole is controlled. The software used for the image processor 12 is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. For example, software having the following configuration is preferably used.
An image that can store ⁸ bits (2 ⁸ = 256 gradations) or 16 bits (2 ¹⁶ = 65536 gradations).
・ Those that can detect / photograph light generated from solar electronic elements, select the area on the screen, and acquire / save brightness profile data.
・ Spectrostable.
・ Those that can acquire high-sensitivity images (image intensifier cameras), for example, those that can measure emissions during reverse current injection.

Further, the following configuration is more preferable.
・ Improved that when the data is read with spreadsheet software and converted into an image, the photographed image is rotated 90 degrees.
・ Simple switching of binning mode is possible.
・ Automatic creation program for histogram of light emission intensity.
・ Automatic measurement of length and width of low intensity (dark areas). Automatic detection of one centimeter or more.
・ Calculate the average value of the light emission intensity in the selected range. It is preferable that an average value obtained by subtracting the value of the grid portion can also be measured.

  In the case of this embodiment, the image acquisition unit 17 is provided in the parallel direction of the solar cell element 18.

  Next, an embodiment of the evaluation operation of the solar cell evaluation apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The evaluation apparatus 200 includes an image forming unit 13, a determination unit 14, an instruction unit 15, and an image acquisition unit 17. The solar cell device 100 to be evaluated includes a solar cell module 1 and a power conditioner device 2, and is connected to the external power system 3. The power conditioner device 2 includes an inverter 4, a control unit 5, and a current injection unit 16, and is connected to the evaluation device 200. The operation of the current injection unit 16 is controlled by the control unit 5.

  The image forming unit 13 and the image acquisition unit 17 are connected via the instruction unit 15, and the image forming unit 13 is connected to the determination unit 14. The current injection unit 16, the image acquisition unit 17, the image formation unit 13, and the determination unit 14 execute the image acquisition step, the current injection step, the image formation step, and the determination step, respectively.

  First, the current injection unit 16 injects current into the solar cell module 1. The solar cell module 1 emits light by current injection (electroluminescence). Next, the image acquisition unit 17 acquires a first image representing the light emission state of the solar cell module 1. The acquired first image information is sent to the instruction unit 15 and stored.

  Next, the current injection unit 16 injects a smaller current into the solar cell module 1 than when the first image is acquired. In principle, the control unit 5 controls the current injection unit 16, but as another form, the power conditioner device 2 (particularly, the instruction unit 15 injects a smaller current than when the first image is acquired). You may transmit to the electric current injection part 16 via the control part 5). Moreover, you may transmit directly to the electric current injection | pouring part 16 not via the control part 5 so that the instruction | indication part 15 inject | pours a smaller electric current than when the 1st image was acquired. Next, the image acquisition unit 17 acquires a second image representing the light emission state of the solar cell module 1 into which the current is injected. The acquired second image information is sent to the instruction unit 15 and stored.

  The first image information and the second image information stored in the instruction unit 15 are transmitted to the image forming unit 13. The image forming unit 13 analyzes the difference between the first image information and the second image information, and represents the light emission state of the solar cell module 1 caused by the current injected when the first image is acquired. A third image is formed. The third image information is sent to the determination unit 14. The determination unit 14 compares the light emission intensity of the solar cell module 1 with a predetermined value set in advance based on the third image, and determines the performance of defects or the like existing in the solar cell module.

  The first image information and the second image information may be sent sequentially from the instruction unit 15 to the image forming unit 13 or may be sent simultaneously. The first image information and the second image information may be sent directly from the image acquisition unit 17 to the image forming unit 13 without using the instruction unit 15.

  As described above, according to the solar cell evaluation apparatus of the present invention, the solar cell module can be easily and reliably evaluated. In this case, as in the prior art, the performance of the solar cell module can be quantitatively evaluated regardless of the presence or absence of sunlight.

<3. Use of solar cell module evaluation methods, etc.>
As described above, this evaluation apparatus can evaluate solar cell modules regardless of the presence or absence of sunlight. For this reason, according to this evaluation apparatus, it is possible to observe and evaluate in the product state (the state completed in the manufacturing factory, or the state installed in the structure), for example, installed in the structure A business model such as a maintenance method or a maintenance system that periodically evaluates solar cell modules can be constructed.

  That is, according to the present invention, the evaluation device evaluates the performance of the solar cell module installed in the structure, and the replacement instruction device is a defective solar cell module based on the inspection result in the evaluation step. And a step of instructing the replacement operator of the solar cell module to replace the part via a communication network.

  The present invention also includes a maintenance system for executing the maintenance method. The maintenance system is a solar cell evaluation apparatus according to the present invention and an exchange for instructing a solar cell module replacement operator to replace the solar cell module via a communication network based on the evaluation result of the evaluation apparatus. And a pointing device.

  In the present specification, the term “solar cell module installed in a structure” means a solar module already installed in a structure such as a residential facility such as a house and a condominium, a commercial facility such as a shopping mall or an office building. A battery module is intended. For example, in a solar cell module manufacturing factory, a solar cell module that is being manufactured or has just been manufactured and that is not installed in a structure is excluded.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing an example of the maintenance system 300 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the maintenance system 300 includes an evaluation device 200 and a replacement instruction device 20. The evaluation apparatus 200 includes an image forming unit 13, a determination unit 14, an instruction unit 15, and an image acquisition unit 17. The solar cell device 100 to be evaluated includes a solar cell module 1 and a power conditioner device 2, and is connected to the external power system 3. The power conditioner device 2 includes an inverter 4, a control unit 5, and a current injection unit 16, and is connected to the evaluation device 200. In addition, about the member which has the same function as the member demonstrated in FIG. 4, the same code | symbol is attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The exchange instruction device 20 is connected to the determination unit 14 provided in the evaluation device 200. Further, the exchange instruction device 20 is connected to the exchange operator's terminal 40 via the communication network 30. Note that the communication network 30 and / or the exchange operator's terminal 40 may be included in the maintenance system 300, or an external arbitrary network or an arbitrary terminal may be used.

  The replacement instruction device 20 replaces a solar cell module whose light emission intensity is lower than a predetermined value and is judged to have deteriorated performance, and replaces the solar cell module via a communication network. It is an instruction to the person. For example, the exchange instruction device 20 is not particularly limited, and an arithmetic device such as a computer that can be connected to a communication line such as the Internet can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the determination unit 14 and the replacement instruction device 20 are described as separate devices, but it goes without saying that one computer can be used as the determination unit 14 and the replacement instruction device 20.

  Further, the communication network 30 is not particularly limited, but may be a dedicated line using a wire or a line such as the Internet. Further, as the communication network 30, a network using a mobile phone line or radio can be used.

  The terminal 40 of the exchange operator may be any terminal that can recognize the exchange instruction from the exchange instruction apparatus 20. The terminal 40 of the exchange operator is not particularly limited, but preferably includes a display unit (for example, a display such as a CRT or LCD) or an output unit (for example, a printer).

  Next, FIG. 6 shows an example of a flow of the maintenance system 300 according to the embodiment using the evaluation apparatus 200. First, a first image and a second image are acquired by the evaluation apparatus 200, and then injected to obtain a first image by analyzing a difference between the first image and the second image. A third image representing the light emission state of the solar cell module 1 due to the current is formed. Then, in the evaluation apparatus 200, it is determined whether or not the emission intensity of the third image is lower than a preset value. If the light emission intensity of the third image is lower than a preset value based on the determination, it is determined that the performance of the solar cell module is degraded. When it is determined that the performance of the solar cell module is deteriorated, the exchange operator is requested to examine whether or not to replace the solar cell module.

  More specifically, first, in the maintenance system 300, the current injection unit 16 of the solar cell device 100 performs a current injection process on the solar cell module to be maintained (step 1, hereinafter, step is described as “S”). To do). Next, the image acquisition unit 17 in the evaluation apparatus 200 acquires an image (first image) of the solar cell module that has performed the process of S1 (S2).

  Next, the current injection unit 16 performs a current injection process on the solar cell module (S3). Next, the image acquisition part 17 acquires the image (2nd image) of the solar cell module which performed the process of S3 (S4). In principle, the control unit 5 controls the current injection unit 16, but as another form, the instruction unit 15 determines whether the image acquired in S2 is the second image, and the acquired image is the first image. In the case of an image, S1 and S2 may be repeated once more, and the current injection unit 16 may be instructed via the power conditioner device 2 (particularly the control unit 5) to acquire the second image. In addition, the instruction unit 15 determines whether the image acquired in S2 is the second image. If the acquired image is the first image, S1 and S2 are repeated once to acquire the second image. As such, the current injection unit 16 may be instructed directly without using the control unit 5.

  The acquired information on the first image and information on the second image are sent to the image forming unit 13 (S5). The image forming unit 13 analyzes the difference between the acquired first image and the second image, and a third image representing the light emission state of the solar cell module 1 due to the current injected to obtain the first image. Is formed (S6).

  Next, the determination unit 14 determines whether the emission intensity of the third image is equal to or less than a preset value based on the third image (S7). In S7, when the determination unit 14 determines that the emission intensity of the third image is equal to or less than a preset value (“Y”), the process proceeds to S8. In S <b> 8, the determination unit 14 determines that the performance of the solar cell module with low emission intensity is degraded, and transmits this result to the replacement instruction device 20. The process proceeds to S9. In S9, the exchange instructing device 20 notifies the exchange operator's terminal 40 of the presence of the solar cell module whose performance is deteriorated via the communication network 30, and the exchange is performed. Ask the exchange operator to consider whether or not to do so, and end the process.

  On the other hand, if the determination unit 14 determines in step S7 that the emission intensity of the third image is greater than a preset value (“N”), the process ends as it is.

  Conventionally, in order to evaluate a solar cell module, it is necessary to use a large device and in a dark room, evaluate the performance of the solar cell module installed in a structure such as a house, and perform regular maintenance. It was difficult to do. However, according to the maintenance method or maintenance system of the solar cell module of the present invention, the performance of the solar cell module can be evaluated regardless of the presence or absence of sunlight. For this reason, even if it is the solar cell module already installed in the structure (namely, produced solar cell module), it is possible to perform maintenance periodically. Therefore, the quality of the solar cell module can be maintained at a certain level.

  In the above description, the maintenance method and the maintenance system using some examples of the solar cell evaluation apparatus have been described. Naturally, the maintenance method and the maintenance system include various types of solar cells described in this specification. It should be noted that a battery evaluation apparatus can be suitably used.

<3. Other Embodiment of Solar Cell Device>
As another form of the solar cell device of the present invention, a solar cell module and a conductive member connected to the solar cell module are provided, and the conductive member is supplied from an external power source to the solar cell module. It is preferable for the current to be injected in the forward direction.

  The conductive member is a member for injecting a current supplied from an external power source to the solar cell module in the forward direction and can be connected to the external power source. Conditions such as configuration, size, and shape are not particularly limited. For example, a conductive member drawn from a solar cell module by a conductive wire, which can be connected to an external power supply and / or a computing device such as a personal computer (PC) can be exemplified.

  If a solar cell apparatus is a structure provided with this electrically-conductive member, a solar cell module and an external power supply can be connected easily, an electric current can be easily inject | poured with respect to a solar cell module, and electroluminescence can be observed.

  Finally, each block of the maintenance system such as the above-described inspection unit, power conditioner device, evaluation device, and replacement instruction device (hereinafter simply referred to as “inspection unit etc.”) is formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. It may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware), or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the inspection unit or the like includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU), or A storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the technical means (apparatus) disclosed in different embodiments can be appropriately combined. Such embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the evaluation about the performance of a solar cell module, a quality inspection, and element material evaluation can be performed simply. Furthermore, it can be used for regular maintenance of installed solar cell modules or mega solar systems. For this reason, it can be used for a wide range of industries as well as mere inspection devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar cell module 2 Power conditioner apparatus 3 External power system 4 Inverter 5 Control part 6 Converter 13 Image formation part (image formation means)
14 determination unit (determination device, determination means)
15 Indication part 16 Current injection part (current injection means)
17 Image acquisition unit (image acquisition means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Exchange instruction | indication apparatus 30 Communication network 40 Terminal of exchange operator 100,101 Solar cell apparatus 200 Evaluation apparatus 300 Maintenance system

Claims (19)

A solar cell module;
An inspection means for injecting a current supplied from an external power source in a forward direction to the solar cell module.   The solar cell device according to claim 1, wherein the inspection means is a power conditioner device that adjusts a current bidirectionally. The power conditioner device includes an inverter and a control unit,
The control unit
(I) an operation mode in which the inverter converts the direct current supplied from the solar cell module into an alternating current and outputs the alternating current to an external power system;
(Ii) an inspection mode in which alternating current supplied from an external power system is converted into direct current by the inverter and injected into the solar cell module;
The solar cell device according to claim 2, wherein the current flowing through the power conditioner device is controlled in both directions by switching between the two. The power conditioner device further includes a converter,
The control unit
(I) An operation mode in which a direct current supplied from a solar cell module is adjusted by the converter, and then the inverter converts the direct current supplied from the converter into an alternating current and outputs the alternating current to the external power system. When,
(Ii) An inspection mode in which an alternating current supplied from an external power system is converted into a direct current by the inverter, and then a direct current supplied from the inverter is adjusted by the converter and then injected into the solar cell module. When,
The solar cell device according to claim 3, wherein the current flowing through the power conditioner device is controlled in both directions by switching between the two.   The said power conditioner apparatus inject | pours a pulse current or a sine wave electric current with respect to the said solar cell module using the said inverter in the said test | inspection mode, The solar of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Battery device. The inspection means is
First current injection means for injecting current in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module;
2. A second current injection means for injecting a current smaller than a current injected by the first current injection means in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module. The solar cell device according to any one of 5. An evaluation device for evaluating the performance of the solar cell device according to claim 6,
As an image of the solar cell module, a first image in a state where current is injected by the first current injection means, and a second image in a state where current is injected by the second current injection means. And an image acquisition means for acquiring
Image formation for analyzing a difference between the first image and the second image to obtain a third image representing a light emission state caused by current injection by the first current injection means to the solar cell module Means,
An evaluation device for a solar cell, comprising: determination means for determining performance of the solar cell module based on the third image.   The first current injection means applies current exceeding the photovoltaic power to the solar cell module when the image acquisition means acquires the first image, and current is injected. The evaluation apparatus according to claim 7.   The second current injection unit applies a voltage equal to or higher than the photovoltaic power to the solar cell module when the image acquisition unit acquires the second image, and current is injected. The evaluation apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the evaluation apparatus is a thing.   The said 2nd electric current injection means does not inject an electric current with respect to the said solar cell module, when the said image acquisition means acquires a 2nd image, The Claim 7 or 8 characterized by the above-mentioned. Evaluation device.   11. The image forming unit according to claim 7, wherein the first image and the second image are averaged, and the third image is acquired from the difference between the first image and the second image. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image forming means alternately performs acquisition of the first image and acquisition of the second image a plurality of times, and obtains a sum of differences between the first image and the second image at each time. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein:   13. The image forming unit according to claim 7, wherein the image forming unit acquires an image by removing the influence of the photovoltaic power caused by the disturbance light irradiated to the solar cell module by synchronous detection. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of the above. A light emission detecting means for detecting light in a first region having a wavelength of 800 nm to 1300 nm and light in a second region having a wavelength of 1400 nm to 1800 nm among the light emission generated in the third image;
In the determination unit, the intrinsic defect and the extrinsic defect are discriminated using the light emission intensity of the first region and the light emission intensity of the second region detected by the light emission detection unit as an index. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 13.   The evaluation apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the light emission detection unit detects the light using a band-pass filter that selectively transmits 1150 nm light. An evaluation process in which the evaluation device according to any one of claims 7 to 15 evaluates the performance of a solar cell module installed in a structure,
A replacement instruction device including a step of instructing a replacement operator of the solar cell module to replace a defective portion of the solar cell module via a communication network based on the inspection result in the evaluation step. The maintenance method of the solar cell module. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 15,
A solar cell module comprising: a replacement instruction device for instructing a solar cell module replacement operator to replace the solar cell module via a communication network based on the evaluation result of the evaluation device. Maintenance system. A solar cell module;
A conductive member connected to the solar cell module,
The solar cell device, wherein the conductive member is for injecting a current supplied from an external power source in a forward direction to the solar cell module. An evaluation device for evaluating the performance of the solar cell device according to claim 18,
Image acquisition means for acquiring an image of a solar cell module into which current is injected through the conductive member;
And a determination means for determining the performance of the solar cell module based on the image.

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