JP2015056418A - Solar cell inspection device and solar cell inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable inspection of a solar cell which is already installed in a site of a photovoltaic power generation facility and is used for power generation.SOLUTION: A solar cell inspection device comprises: moving type modulation means 2 which superposes a modulation signal on power generation output of a solar cell 1 mounting the device by periodically increasing or decreasing the area or darkness of a partial shadow made by the device staying on a light receiving surface 1a of the solar cell 1, and is movable on the light receiving surface 1a; position detection means 3 for detecting a position of the moving type modulation means 2; and abnormality detection means 4 which has a function for identifying a modulation signal in the power generation output, and determines that the solar cell 1 has abnormality and identifies an abnormality generation position by referring to position information supplied by the position detection means 3 when being incapable of identifying the modulation signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar cell inspection apparatus and a solar cell inspection method that are suitable for use in maintenance inspection of solar cells already installed on the site of a photovoltaic power generation facility, and detect a partial abnormality of the solar cells.

  As a solar cell inspection device, for example, there is a solar cell module defect detection device described in Patent Document 1. A solar cell module defect detection device is shown in FIG. In this solar cell module failure detection device, a traversing guide 103 is bridged between a pair of travel guides 101, 102 provided on a fixed frame (not shown) so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the traverse guides 101, 102 are crossed along the travel guides 101, 102. The magnetic sensor 104 can be moved in the XY directions by moving the magnetic sensor 104 along the transverse guide 103 while moving the magnetic sensor 103.

  The solar cell modules 105 to be inspected are set one by one between the pair of travel guides 101 and 102, and the inspection is performed while moving the magnetic sensor 104 in the XY directions. The magnetic sensor 104 magnetically detects a current flow in the solar battery cells constituting the solar battery module 105, and its output is supplied to the computer 107 via the magnetic sensor interface 106. The positions of the magnetic sensor 104 in the X direction and the Y direction are detected by a position sensor (not shown) and supplied to the computer 107 via the interface 108. The computer 107 detects an abnormality in the solar cell module 105 and its position based on the output from the magnetic sensor 104 and the position information from the position sensor.

JP 2010-171065 A

  However, the above-described failure detection device inspects the solar cell module 105 for the purpose of finding defective products at the time of manufacture, and a pair of travel guides 101 provided on a fixed frame of the failure detection device installed indoors, It is necessary to perform an inspection by setting the solar cell modules 105 one by one between 102. Therefore, it cannot be applied to a solar cell that is already installed at the site of a photovoltaic power generation facility and used for power generation.

  An object of this invention is to provide the inspection apparatus of the solar cell which can test | inspect the solar cell already installed in the spot of a solar power generation facility, and being used for electric power generation.

  In order to achieve such an object, the solar cell inspection apparatus according to claim 1, stays on the light receiving surface of the installed solar cell to create a partial shadow and to periodically change the area or density of the shadow. The modulation signal is superimposed on the power generation output of the solar cell and moved on the light receiving surface, the position detection means for detecting the position of the mobile modulation means, and the modulation signal in the power generation output An abnormality detecting unit that has a function of identifying and determines that there is an abnormality in the solar cell when the modulation signal cannot be identified and refers to the position information supplied from the position detecting unit to identify the occurrence position of the abnormality Is.

If the part of the solar cell on which the modulation operation (periodic increase or decrease in shadow area or darkness) is performed by the mobile modulation means is normal and power is generated in that part, the power generation of the solar cell A modulation signal is superimposed on the output. On the other hand, abnormalities such as disconnection inside the cell or contact failure, or output deterioration due to aging deterioration of the photoelectric conversion part of the cell occur in the solar cell portion where the modulation operation is performed by the mobile modulation means. In the case where power generation is not performed in the portion or power generation is insufficient, no modulation signal appears in the power generation output of the solar cell. Therefore, whether or not there is an abnormality in the portion of the solar cell can be determined by whether or not the modulation signal is superimposed on the power generation output of the solar cell. The mobile modulation means performs a modulation operation by moving, for example, vertically and horizontally on the light receiving surface of the solar cell. The abnormality detection unit determines that there is “abnormality” when the modulation signal in the power generation output cannot be identified, and identifies the position where there is an abnormality based on the position information of the mobile modulation unit detected by the position detection unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inspection apparatus for a solar cell, wherein the mobile modulation means includes an opening through which light for power generation passes, and a shutter for changing an amount of light passing through the opening. Therefore, by periodically changing the amount of light passing through the opening by the shutter, the area or density of the shadow formed on the light receiving surface of the solar cell can be periodically increased or decreased.

  In the solar cell inspection apparatus according to the third aspect, the frequency of the modulation signal is set to a frequency that can be distinguished from noise included in the power generation output input to the abnormality detection means. Therefore, it is easy to distinguish between noise and a modulated signal.

  Furthermore, the solar cell inspection method according to claim 4 is a solar cell in which mobile modulation means for converting light for power generation into modulated light is temporarily held on a part of the light receiving surface of the solar cell in which the solar cell is installed. When the modulation signal is superimposed on the power generation output of the battery and the modulation signal cannot be identified from the power generation output, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the solar cell, and the occurrence position of the abnormality is specified based on the position of the mobile modulation means It is.

  When the portion of the solar cell that receives the modulated light converted by the mobile modulation means is normal and power generation is performed in the portion, the modulation signal is superimposed on the power generation output of the solar cell. On the other hand, abnormalities such as failure inside the cell, faulty contact, etc. inside the cell, and a decrease in output due to aging of the photoelectric conversion part of the cell occur in the part of the solar cell where the modulated light converted by the mobile modulation means hits In the case where the power generation is not performed or the power generation is insufficient, the modulation signal does not appear in the power generation output of the solar cell. For this reason, it can be determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the portion where the modulated light strikes, depending on whether or not the modulation signal is superimposed on the power generation output of the solar cell. The mobile modulation means moves, for example, vertically and horizontally on the light receiving surface of the solar cell, and converts light used for power generation into modulated light. When the modulation signal in the power generation output cannot be identified, it is determined as “abnormal”, and the position where there is an abnormality is specified based on the position of the mobile modulation means at that time.

  In the solar cell inspection apparatus according to claim 1 and the solar cell inspection method according to claim 4, since the inspection is performed by applying a modulation signal to the power generation output of the solar cell, it is already installed at the site of the solar power generation facility. A solar cell used for power generation can be inspected without stopping the power generation. Further, since the mobile modulation means is moved and the abnormal position of the solar cell is specified based on the position of the mobile modulation means, it is possible to easily cope with the increase in the area of the solar cell to be inspected, so-called mega solar power generation. It can be suitable for large-scale solar power generation. Furthermore, since inspection is performed using light for power generation, a dedicated light source for inspection is not required, and the movable modulation means can be reduced in size and weight, and the dedicated light source can be moved as much as necessary. Since the battery mounted on the type modulation means can be reduced in size, the mobile modulation means can also be reduced in size and weight from this point. In addition, since it is not necessary to mount a dedicated light source on the mobile modulation means, it is easy to secure a power source necessary for the mobile modulation means.

  Further, in the solar cell inspection apparatus according to claim 2, since the amount of light passing through the opening is periodically changed by the shutter, the area or density of the shadow formed on the light receiving surface of the solar cell is periodically increased or decreased. Is easy.

  Furthermore, in the solar cell inspection apparatus according to claim 3, it is easier to discriminate between the noise and the modulation signal.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of embodiment of the inspection apparatus of the solar cell of this invention. An example of the mobile modulation means of the inspection apparatus is shown, (A) is a plan view thereof, (B) is a side view thereof, and (C) is a front view thereof. It is a block diagram which shows the abnormality detection means of the inspection apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the signal detection part of the abnormality detection means of the inspection apparatus. The power generation output of the solar cell is shown, (A) is a graph showing a change over time in a state where the inspection is not performed, (B) is a state in which the modulation signal is superimposed using the mobile modulation means and is abnormal It is a graph which shows a time-dependent change when there is no. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the modification of the traveling means of the inspection apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the conventional solar cell module malfunction detection apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on the form shown in the drawings.

  1 to 4 show an embodiment of a solar cell inspection apparatus according to the present invention. A solar cell inspection device (hereinafter simply referred to as an inspection device) stays on the light receiving surface 1a of the installed solar cell 1 to create a partial shadow and periodically increase or decrease the area or density of the shadow. The mobile modulation means 2 that can superimpose the modulation signal on the power generation output of the solar cell 1 and can move on the light receiving surface 1a, the position detection means 3 that detects the position of the mobile modulation means 2, and the power generation output When it has a function of identifying the modulation signal and the modulation signal cannot be identified, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the solar cell 1 and the position where the abnormality has occurred is specified by referring to the position information supplied from the position detection means 3. An abnormality detection means 4 is provided.

  The inspection device is used for maintenance and inspection of the solar cell 1 already installed on the site of the photovoltaic power generation facility. The solar cell 1 is in the state of the solar cell array 6 composed of a plurality of solar cell modules 5 and is installed on the site. It is installed on a gantry. The power generation output of the solar cell 1 is supplied to the abnormality detection means 4 and the power system 8. The power system 8 is supplied after being converted from direct current to alternating current through, for example, a power conditioner 9. However, the power generation output may be supplied to the power system 8 or supplied to the battery or the like instead of being supplied to the power system 8 and stored.

  The mobile modulation means 2 is provided with an opening 10 through which light for power generation passes, and a shutter 11 for changing the amount of light passing through the opening 10. In this embodiment, a through-hole is provided at the center of the plate-like modulation means main body 2 a to form an opening 10, and a shutter 11 is provided so as to close the opening 10. Any shutter 11 that can change the amount of light passing through the opening 10 can be used. For example, it may be a mechanical shutter 11 that changes the amount of light passing through the opening 10 by moving the shielding plate with an actuator to increase or decrease the shadow area, or rotating two propellers arranged on the same axis in opposite directions. The mechanical shutter 11 may be used to change the amount of light passing through the opening 10 by increasing or decreasing the shadow area, or by providing one propeller so that its blades rotate across the opening 10 to increase or decrease the shadow area. Alternatively, a mechanical shutter 11 that changes the amount of light that passes through the opening 10 may be used, or an electric shutter 11 that changes the amount of light that passes through the opening 10 using an electrochromic material that changes the light transmittance.

  The shutter 11 increases or decreases the amount of light passing through the opening 10 at a constant cycle. As the frequency at which the shutter 11 increases / decreases the amount of light, that is, the frequency of the modulation signal, for example, a frequency f that can be discriminated from noise included in the power generation output input to the abnormality detection means 4 such as inverter noise. Here, the frequency f is preferably determined, for example, by measuring noise actually included in the power generation output of the solar cell 1. That is, the noise included in the power generation output varies depending on the environment where the solar cell 1 is installed and the surrounding power equipment, etc. Therefore, the noise is actually measured at each site, and the frequency is easily discriminated from this noise. It is preferable to do.

  Now, in a state where the modulation is not performed by the mobile modulation means 2, in other words, in a state where the power generation is performed as it is by the sunlight used for power generation, the power generation output (current) of the solar cell 1 is substantially constant. (FIG. 5A). On the other hand, when the modulation is performed by the mobile modulation unit 2, in other words, in the state where a part of the sunlight used for power generation is modulated by the mobile modulation unit 2, the shadow formed on the solar battery cell 7. The power generation output of the solar cell 1 increases or decreases in accordance with the increase or decrease (modulation) of the area or the density (FIG. 5B). That is, the modulation signal having the frequency f is superimposed on the power generation output.

  The mobile modulation means 2 of the present embodiment is a self-propelled type and includes a traveling means 12. The traveling means 12 of this embodiment includes a pair of left and right traveling belts 13 that do not easily damage the light receiving surface 1a of the solar cell module 5 and that do not easily slip with respect to the light receiving surface 1a, and a plurality of pulleys that stretch the traveling belt 13 so that it can travel 14, a driving wheel 15 that drives the traveling belt 13, a motor (not shown) that rotates the driving wheel 15, a control device (not shown) that controls traveling, and a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the motor and the control device. Yes. However, the traveling means 12 is not limited to this. The motor, the control device, and the battery are accommodated in the modulation means main body 2a. The left and right traveling belts 13 are provided on the left and right bottom surfaces of the modulation means main body 2 a, and the sunlight passing through the opening 10, that is, the modulated light, strikes the solar cell 1 from between the left and right traveling belts 13. The traveling unit 12 may travel by being remotely operated via a communication unit such as a radio, or information on the shape of the solar cell array 6 to be inspected and the position detecting unit 3 according to a control program stored in the control device. It may be one that automatically travels while referring to the position information. In this embodiment, the mobile modulation means 2 is the latter automatic traveling type.

  In the plan view of the mobile modulation means 2, the size of the opening 10 is smaller than that of the solar battery cell 7 constituting the solar battery module 5, and the shadow area or density can be increased or decreased in cell units.

  The mobile modulation means 2 moves, for example, from one end to the opposite end of the solar cell array 6 to be inspected vertically and horizontally along a line of each cell in a single stroke and stops for each cell. The modulation operation (periodic increase / decrease in shadow area or darkness) is sequentially performed on the cells, and the modulation signal is superimposed. For example, for the solar cell module 5 at the end (the first solar cell module 5), it moves vertically and horizontally along a line of each cell from one end to the opposite end, for each cell. Stop and perform modulation operations in order for all the cells to superimpose the modulation signal. Next, it moves to the adjacent solar cell module 5 (second solar cell module 5) and superimposes the modulation signal in the same manner, in order of the third solar cell module 5, the fourth solar cell module 5,. The modulation signal is superimposed on the signal. Here, “horizontal” in the moving direction is the longitudinal direction of the solar cell array 6, and “vertical” is the short direction of the solar cell array 6, but is not limited thereto. Further, the mobile modulation means 2 may be moved obliquely.

  The position detection means 3 detects the position of the mobile modulation means 2 and supplies the position information to the abnormality detection means 4. In this embodiment, a GPS (Global Positioning System) device (not shown), Communication means (not shown) for transmitting the position information measured by the GPS device to the abnormality detection means 4 is provided. However, instead of the GPS device, for example, an inertial navigation system (INS) may be used. The position detection means 3 is accommodated in the modulation means main body 2a.

  In the present embodiment, since the mobile modulation means 2 is an automatic travel type, the position information from the position detection means 3 is also supplied to the control device of the travel means 12.

  The abnormality detection means 4 is inputted with a power generation output (current) of the solar cell 1 to identify a modulation signal in the power generation output, a reception section 17 for receiving position information from the position detection means 3, and a signal detection When the unit 16 cannot identify the modulation signal, the solar cell 1 is determined to have an abnormality, and the determination unit 18 that identifies the occurrence position of the abnormality with reference to the position information received by the reception unit 17 is provided. It is configured.

  The signal detector 16 is, for example, a lock-in amplifier, and includes a multiplier 19 and a low-pass filter 20 (FIG. 4). The multiplier 19 receives the power generation output (measurement signal) of the solar cell 1 and a reference signal from a signal generator (not shown). Here, the reference signal is a signal having the same frequency f as the modulation frequency f by which the mobile modulation means 2 increases or decreases the amount of light.

  Now, the measurement signal Vin is a modulation signal Vccosωt + DC voltage Vdc, and the reference signal Vr is a signal Vscos (ωt + θ) having the same frequency f (angular frequency ω = 2πf) as that of the modulation signal (Vin = Vccosωt + Vdc, Vr = Vscos (ωt + θ). ), The signal (Vout) output from the signal detector 16 is expressed by Equation 1.

[Equation 1]
Vout = Vscos (ωt + θ) (Vccosωt + Vdc)
= VsVc {cosθ + cos (2ωt + θ)} / 2 + VsVdccos (ωt + θ)
Here, ω is an angular frequency, and ω = 2πf. T is time, and θ is a phase difference between the modulation signal and the reference signal.

  When only the DC component is extracted from the signal Vout by the low-pass filter 20, the signal Vout is expressed by Equation 2. This signal Vout is supplied from the signal detection unit 16 to the determination unit 18.

[Equation 2]
Vout = VsVccosθ / 2
The phase difference θ between the modulation signal and the reference signal is adjusted so that θ = 0, that is, Vout is maximized.

  The determination unit 18 determines whether the modulation signal can be identified based on the magnitude of the signal Vout. That is, the determination unit 18 determines “no abnormality” if the signal Vout is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, and “abnormal” otherwise. This specified value is determined in advance and stored in the determination unit 18.

  If the determination unit 18 determines that “there is abnormality”, it refers to the position information received by the reception unit 17 and identifies the position where the abnormality has occurred. The position information received by the receiving unit 17 from the position detecting means 3 is information on the position where the mobile modulation means 2 is currently modulating, and that position is the position where the abnormality has occurred.

  The abnormality occurrence position specified by the determination unit 18 is displayed on an output device such as a display and stored in a storage device together with the determination result of the abnormality occurrence. An operator of maintenance and inspection can know the occurrence of an abnormality of the solar cell 1 and its position based on the display of the output device and the information stored in the storage device.

  Next, inspection using the inspection apparatus will be described. The inspection is performed in a state where the solar cell array 6 is exposed to sunlight and power is being generated. The mobile modulation means 2 stays on the desired solar cell 7 of the solar cell array 6 to be inspected and performs a modulation operation. Since the size of the opening 10 of the mobile modulation means 2 is smaller than that of one solar battery cell 7, the shadow area or density can be increased or decreased within the range of one solar battery cell 7. Inspection can be performed.

  Now, when the solar cell 7 in which the mobile modulation means 2 is performing the modulation operation is normally generating power, the modulation signal is superimposed on the power generation output of the solar cell array 6 (FIG. 5B). ). On the other hand, when an abnormality has occurred in the solar cell 7 in which the mobile modulation means 2 is performing a modulation operation and no power is generated, no modulation signal appears in the power generation output of the solar cell array 6. Therefore, the presence or absence of abnormality of the solar battery cell 7 can be detected based on whether or not the modulation signal is superimposed on the power generation output.

  And since the position of the mobile modulation means 2, in other words, the solar cell 7 in which the modulation operation is performed can be known by the position detection means 3, the abnormal solar battery cell 7 can be specified.

  The inspection apparatus 2 moves the mobile modulation means 2 in a single stroke along each cell 7 from one end to the opposite end of the solar cell array 6 to be inspected, for example, for all the cells 7. Inspect in order.

  The mobile modulation means 2 is placed on the light receiving surface 1a of the solar cell array 6 to be inspected, for example, by an operator who performs maintenance and inspection. Although the installed solar cell array 6 is inclined, the traveling belt 13 of the traveling means 12 is difficult to slip, so that the mobile modulation means 2 moves smoothly on the light receiving surface 1a. Can do. When the operator starts the mobile modulation means 2, the mobile modulation means 2 automatically runs according to the control program. And it stops automatically after completion | finish of a test | inspection.

  As described above, the solar cell inspection method of the present invention temporarily stops on a part of the light receiving surface 1a of the solar cell 1 in which the mobile modulation means 2 that converts light for power generation into modulated light is installed. When the modulation signal is superimposed on the power generation output of the solar cell 1 and the modulation signal cannot be identified from the power generation output, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the solar cell 1 and the abnormality is determined based on the position of the mobile modulation means 2. This is to specify the generation position.

  Since the inspection apparatus of the present invention performs an inspection by putting a modulation signal on the power generation output of the solar cell 1, the solar cell 1 already installed at the site of the solar power generation facility and used for power generation is not stopped. Can be inspected.

  Moreover, since the inspection apparatus of the present invention moves the mobile modulation means 2 unattended and identifies the abnormal solar battery cell 7 based on the position of the mobile modulation means 2, the area of the solar battery array 6 is increased. Therefore, it can be made suitable for large-scale solar power generation such as a so-called mega solar.

  In addition, since inspection is performed using sunlight for power generation, a dedicated light source for inspection is not required, and the mobile modulation means 2 can be reduced in size and weight. Moreover, since the battery mounted on the mobile modulation means 2 can be reduced in size by the amount that the dedicated light source is not required, the mobile modulation means 2 can be reduced in size and weight from this point. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to mount a dedicated light source on the mobile modulation means 2, it is easy to secure a power source necessary for the mobile modulation means 2.

  Moreover, since the mobile modulation means 2 modulates with the shutter 11, the sunlight used for electric power generation can be easily converted into modulated light.

  Further, since the frequency f of the modulation signal is set to a frequency that can be distinguished from the noise included in the power generation output of the solar cell 1 input to the abnormality detection unit 4, the modulation signal can be easily identified by the signal detection unit 16. is there.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above description, sunlight is used as light used for power generation. However, when power generation is performed using illumination light at night or in bad weather, inspection is performed using the illumination light. You may make it do.

  In the above description, the battery is mounted on the mobile modulation unit 2 itself as a power source for running the mobile modulation unit 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a power source may be provided on the power generation facility side, and power may be obtained from the power source using a cord that is long enough to move the mobile modulation means 2.

  Further, a solar cell may be provided in the mobile modulation means 2 to generate electric power for operating the shutter 11 and electric power for driving the traveling means 12.

  In the above description, the position detecting means 3 is provided in the mobile modulation means 2 to detect the position from the mobile modulation means 2 side. However, the position detection means 3 is external to the mobile modulation means 2. The position may be detected from outside. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a slider 21 that moves in the vertical and horizontal directions on the light receiving surface 1 a of the solar cell array 6 is provided, and the mobile modulation means 2 is attached to the slider 21 to make the mobile modulation means 2 vertically and horizontally. While moving, the position of the mobile modulation means 2 may be detected by detecting the position of the slider 21 by the position detection means 3 including the vertical direction sensor 24 and the horizontal direction sensor 25.

  The traveling means 12 for moving the slider 21 includes, for example, a vertical guide rail 22 for guiding the slider 21 in the vertical direction and a pair of upper and lower horizontal guide rails 23 for guiding the vertical guide rail 22 in the horizontal direction. The slider 21 is moved vertically and horizontally by moving the slider 21 with respect to the rail 22 and the vertical guide rail 22 with respect to the lateral guide rail 23 by a motor and a wire (not shown). The vertical direction sensor 24 and the horizontal direction sensor 25 detect the vertical and horizontal positions of the slider 21 based on the position of the wire, for example. In this example, the mobile modulation means 2 is moved in a floating state with respect to the light receiving surface 1 a of the solar cell 1.

  Further, a cleaner may be attached to the mobile modulation unit 2 so that the light receiving surface 1a of the solar cell 1 is cleaned as the mobile modulation unit 2 moves.

  Further, in the above description, the size of the opening 10 of the mobile modulation means 2 is made smaller than that of the solar battery cell 7 so that the shadow area or density is increased or decreased within the single solar battery cell 7. However, the opening 10 may be enlarged to increase or decrease the shadow area or density over a plurality of solar cells 7. In this case, it is difficult to narrow down and specify the abnormal solar cells 7 to one, but since a plurality of solar cells 7 can be inspected at a time, the entire solar cell array 6 is inspected. Time can be shortened.

  In the above description, the mobile modulation unit 2 is in contact with the light receiving surface 1 a of the solar cell 1. However, the mobile modulation unit 2 may be lifted from the light receiving surface 1 a of the solar cell 1. For example, like the mobile modulation unit 2 in FIG. 6, the mobile modulation unit 2 may be moved while being lifted from the light receiving surface 1 a of the solar cell 1.

  Further, in the above description, the inspection is performed on the solar cell array 6, but the inspection target is not limited to the solar cell array 6, and the solar cell module 5 may be the target. That is, the inspection may be performed in units of the solar cell array 6 in which a plurality of solar cell modules 5 are connected, or may be performed in units of the solar cell modules 5.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar cell 1a Light-receiving surface 2 Mobile modulation means 3 Position detection means 4 Abnormality detection means 10 Opening through which light for power generation passes 11 Shutter

Claims (4)

  Stays on the light receiving surface of the installed solar cell, creates a partial shadow, periodically increases or decreases the area or density of the shadow, and superimposes a modulation signal on the power generation output of the solar cell, and the light receiving surface A mobile modulation means that can move above, a position detection means that detects the position of the mobile modulation means, and a function that identifies the modulation signal in the power generation output, and the modulation signal cannot be identified A solar cell inspection apparatus comprising: an abnormality detection unit that determines that the solar cell is abnormal and refers to position information supplied from the position detection unit to identify an occurrence position of the abnormality.   2. The solar cell inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable modulation means includes an opening through which the power generation light passes, and a shutter that changes an amount of light passing through the opening.   3. The solar cell inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the modulation signal is a frequency distinguishable from noise contained in the power generation output input to the abnormality detection unit.   Temporarily staying on a part of the light receiving surface of the solar cell where the mobile modulation means for converting light for power generation into modulated light is installed, and superimposing the modulation signal on the power generation output of the solar cell, A method for inspecting a solar cell, wherein the solar cell is judged to be abnormal when the modulation signal cannot be identified from the inside, and the position where the abnormality occurs is specified based on the position of the mobile modulation means.

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