JP2016208677A - Solar battery module inspection device and solar battery module inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solar battery module inspection device that can easily and surely inspect a solar battery module in a solar battery string installed outdoors.SOLUTION: A solar battery module inspection device in a solar battery string installed outdoor has a pulse current supplier for introducing pulse current to a solar battery module in a forward direction. Since the pulse current is used as power for evaluation, another solar battery module, a large power generator or the like is not necessarily required as a power source, and the evaluation of the solar battery module can be easily and surely performed. The pulse current supplier may have a DC power source and a capacitor which is connected to the DC power source and stores electricity for the pulse current. It is preferable to provide a photodetector for detecting light emission of the solar battery module based on the pulse current.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar cell module inspection apparatus and a solar cell module inspection method.

  In recent years, a photovoltaic power generation system in which a large number of solar cell modules (solar cell panels) are arranged has become widespread. There are small-scale solar power generation systems installed on the roofs of buildings, houses, etc., and large-scale systems (mega solar systems) with large power generation installed in vast places.

  Various methods for inspecting whether such a photovoltaic power generation system exhibits sufficient photoelectric conversion performance have been proposed. For example, a direct current is introduced into the solar cell module in the forward direction. Thus, there is an electroluminescence inspection method in which the solar cell module emits light and the solar cell module is evaluated based on the light emission (see Patent Document 1). According to this electroluminescence inspection method, there is a merit that defects of the solar cell module can be detected easily and reliably.

Japanese Patent No. 5051854

  In order to evaluate the solar cell module by the electroluminescence inspection method, a power source that introduces a direct current in the forward direction to the solar cell module is required.

  As this electric power source, a method using electric power generated by some solar cell modules of the solar power generation system has been proposed. However, since this method uses power from sunlight irradiation as a power source, it depends on sunlight illuminance, cannot be controlled quantitatively, and the evaluation result is not necessarily reliable. There is an inconvenience.

  Although it is conceivable to use a generator as the power source, it is necessary to use a generator with a large power generation amount when direct current is passed through a large number of solar cell modules. For this reason, in order to apply the electroluminescence inspection method for each solar cell string in the already installed solar power generation system, it is necessary to use a generator with a large amount of power generation. It may be difficult to carry the product to a place, and the inspection work may be complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made based on the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell capable of easily and reliably inspecting a solar cell module in a solar cell string installed outdoors. A module inspection apparatus and a solar cell module inspection method are provided.

  A solar cell module inspection apparatus according to the present invention made to solve the above problems is a solar cell module inspection apparatus in a solar cell string installed outdoors, and applies a pulse current in the forward direction to the solar cell module. A pulse current supply unit to be introduced is provided.

  In the said solar cell module test | inspection apparatus, a solar cell module can be test | inspected by measuring the change of the solar cell module based on the pulse current introduced by the pulse current supply part. Since the solar cell module inspection apparatus uses a pulse current as electric power for evaluation, it does not necessarily require another solar cell module or a large generator as a power source. Evaluation can be made.

  In the solar cell module inspection apparatus, the pulse current supply unit may include a direct current power source and a capacitor that is connected to the direct current power source and stores electricity for the pulse current. Thereby, a capacitor | condenser accumulate | stores the electricity supplied from DC power supply, and can introduce a pulse current into a solar cell module easily and reliably.

  The said solar cell module inspection apparatus is good to provide the photon detection part which detects light emission of the solar cell module based on the said pulse current. Thereby, the solar cell module can be inspected by the electroluminescence inspection method using the solar cell module inspection apparatus.

  When the said solar cell module test | inspection apparatus is provided with a photon detection part as mentioned above, it is good for the said pulse current supply part to introduce | transduce the said pulse current which consists of a several pulse with respect to a solar cell module. Thereby, even if each light emission amount of the solar cell module by each pulse is small, accurate inspection of the solar cell module can be easily and reliably performed by using each light emission of the solar cell module by each pulse. .

  The said solar cell module test | inspection apparatus is good to provide the current voltage detection part which detects the electric current and voltage of the solar cell module which introduced the said pulse current. Thereby, a test | inspection of a solar cell module can be performed based on the current-voltage characteristic of the solar cell module which introduce | transduced the pulse current.

  Also, a solar cell module inspection method according to the present invention made to solve the above-mentioned problems is a solar cell module inspection method for a solar cell string installed outdoors, and pulsed in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module. It has a pulse current supply process which introduces current, and a measurement process which measures change of a solar cell module based on the above-mentioned pulse current.

  According to the solar cell module inspection method, the solar cell module can be inspected by measuring the change of the solar cell module based on the pulse current.

  The solar cell module inspection method may detect light emission of the solar cell module based on the pulse current in the measurement step. Thereby, the test | inspection of the solar cell module by an electroluminescence test | inspection method can be performed. In this measurement step, the pulse current composed of a plurality of pulses may be introduced into the solar cell module, and light emission of the solar cell module based on the pulse current composed of the plurality of pulses may be detected. Thereby, the exact test | inspection of a solar cell module can be performed easily and reliably using the light emission of the solar cell module based on a some pulse.

  The said solar cell module inspection method is good to detect the electric current and voltage of the solar cell module which introduced the said pulse current in the said measurement process. Thereby, a test | inspection of a solar cell module can be performed based on the current-voltage characteristic of the solar cell module which introduce | transduced the pulse current.

  As described above, the present invention can easily and reliably inspect a solar cell module in a solar cell string installed outdoors by using a pulse current.

It is the schematic explanatory drawing which showed the outline of the solar cell module inspection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, and the solar cell system which is test object. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the pulse current supply part of the solar cell module inspection apparatus of FIG. It is typical explanatory drawing of the pulse current introduce | transduced into a solar cell module. It is an enlarged view of the peak part of the pulse current of FIG.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

<Inspection device>
A solar cell module inspection apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that inspects a solar cell module 100 in a solar cell string 110 installed outdoors. The solar cell module inspection apparatus 1 detects a change in the solar cell module 100 based on the pulse current supply unit 10 that introduces a pulse current in the forward direction to the solar cell module 100 to be inspected, and the pulse current. Part (light detection part 20).

  The said solar cell module inspection apparatus 1 makes the solar cell string 110 a measuring object. The string is a unit in which a plurality of (for example, 15 to 20) solar cell modules 100 are connected in series, and the solar cell string 110 is composed of a plurality of solar cell modules 100 connected in series. The solar cell module 100 is a so-called solar cell panel, and means a module in which a plurality of solar cells 101 are connected in series and integrated.

  The solar cell module inspection apparatus 1 of this embodiment performs an electroluminescence inspection method. Specifically, as the detection unit, a light detection unit 20 that detects light emission of the solar cell module 100 based on the pulse current is used. As the light detection unit 20, for example, a camera such as a CCD camera is used. Used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pulse current supply unit 10 includes a DC power source 11 and a capacitor 13 connected to the DC power source 11 and storing electricity for the pulse current. Furthermore, the pulse current supply unit 10 includes a terminal unit 15 connected to the solar cell module 100 and a switch unit 17 that switches an energization state between the terminal unit 15 and the capacitor 13. Thereby, the electricity supplied from the DC power supply 11 is accumulated in the capacitor 13 when the switch unit is in the OFF state. Thereafter, when the switch unit is turned on, the electricity stored in the capacitor 13 is introduced into the solar cell module 100 connected to the terminal unit 15 as a pulse current. The switch unit is controlled by a control unit (not shown), and a pulse current is introduced into the solar cell module 100 by the control of the switch unit.

  The DC power source 11 is preferably a variable voltage power source, whereby the charge that can be stored in the capacitor 13 can be easily and reliably changed. The DC power source 11 is preferably a generator. The output current of the generator is not particularly limited, and it is preferable that electricity that can sufficiently supply a pulse current to the solar cell module 100 can be supplied to the capacitor. Here, the lower limit of the current value supplied to the solar cell module 100 is preferably 1/10 times the short-circuit current value, and more preferably 1/5 times. The upper limit of the current value is preferably twice the short-circuit current value, more preferably 1.5 times. If this current value does not satisfy the lower limit, the solar cell module 100 may not be able to emit light sufficiently, and the inspection time may be prolonged. On the other hand, when the current value exceeds the upper limit, there is a risk of increasing the cost or weight of each component of the solar cell module inspection apparatus 1.

  The capacitance of the capacitor 13 is not particularly limited, but the lower limit of the capacitance is preferably 500 μF, more preferably 1000 μF. Further, the upper limit of the capacitance is preferably 10,000 μF, and more preferably 5000 μF. If the capacitance does not satisfy the above lower limit, there is a possibility that a sufficient pulse current cannot be introduced into the solar cell module 100. On the other hand, if the capacitance exceeds the above upper limit, the entire device may be expensive.

  The pulse current introduced into the solar cell module 100 is composed of a plurality of pulses, the pulses are periodically introduced into the solar cell module 100, and the solar cell module 100 blinks. The duty ratio of the pulse current composed of the plurality of pulses is preferably 20% or less, and more preferably 10% or less. If the duty ratio exceeds the above upper limit, a large-capacity power supply is required to easily and surely store a sufficient charge in the capacitor 13, which may be heavy and complicated. The duty ratio (t / T) is the ratio of the pulse width (time (t) during which the pulse flows) to the period (T) of the pulse current (see FIG. 3). The lower limit of the duty ratio is not particularly limited, but is 1%, for example.

  The pulse width (t) is not particularly limited, but may be 5 ms, for example. In addition, as a minimum of pulse width (t), 1 ms is preferable and 3 ms is more preferable. The upper limit of the pulse width (t) is preferably 20 ms, and more preferably 10 ms. If the pulse width (t) does not satisfy the lower limit, there is a possibility that sufficient electricity for the solar cell module 100 to emit light cannot be introduced into the solar cell module 100. Conversely, if the period (T) of the pulse current exceeds the above upper limit, the inspection time may be long.

  The period (T) of the pulse current is not particularly limited, but may be 50 ms, for example. In addition, as a minimum of the period (T) of a pulse current, 10 ms is preferable and 30 ms is more preferable. The upper limit of the period (T) of the pulse current is preferably 200 ms, and more preferably 100 ms. If the period (T) of the pulse current does not satisfy the above lower limit, it may be difficult to easily and surely accumulate sufficient charges in the capacitor 13. Conversely, if the period (T) of the pulse current exceeds the above upper limit, the inspection time may be long.

  The maximum voltage (V) for the pulse current injection is changed according to the number of solar cell modules 100 to be measured. For example, when a solar cell string 110 composed of 15 solar cell modules 100 connected in series is a measurement target, the maximum voltage (V) is preferably set to 1000V. In addition, as a minimum of the maximum voltage (V) for pulse current injection, 500V is preferable and 800V is preferable. Thereby, the electroluminescence inspection method can be performed on a large number of solar cell modules 100 at the same time. The upper limit of the maximum voltage (V) for pulse current injection is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 5000V.

  The solar cell module inspection apparatus 1 includes an evaluation unit 30 that evaluates detection data detected by the detection unit. The evaluation unit 30 can be configured by a computer including an arithmetic processing unit such as an MPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a monitor, an operation unit, and the like, and performs an arithmetic operation based on a computer program stored in the ROM or the hard disk. The processing unit can perform a desired operation by controlling each unit.

  In the solar cell module inspection apparatus 1, the light detection unit 20 acquires image data of the solar cell module 100 blinking by a plurality of pulses, and the quality of the solar cell module 100 is determined based on the image data. The This pass / fail judgment can be made by the human eye by displaying the image data on the display unit, and the central processing unit can also judge from the brightness of the image data.

<Inspection method>
The solar cell module inspection method includes a pulse current supply step for introducing a pulse current in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell module 100, and a measurement step for measuring a change in the solar cell module 100 based on the pulse current. Furthermore, the said solar cell module inspection method has an evaluation process which evaluates the solar cell module 100 based on the change of the solar cell module 100 measured at the measurement process.

  Specifically, first, the light detection unit 20 of the solar cell module inspection apparatus 1 is set so as to image the solar cell string 110 to be measured, and the pulse current supply unit 10 is connected to the solar cell string 110. . And the solar cell module 100 is blinked by introduce | transducing a pulse current from the said pulse current part with respect to the solar cell string 110 to a forward direction (pulse current introduction process). The flashing of the solar cell string 110 is imaged by the light detection unit 20 (measurement process). Then, the presence or absence of the defect of the solar cell module 100 is judged based on the image data imaged by the light detection unit 20 (evaluation process).

<Advantages>
According to the solar cell module inspection apparatus 1, the solar cell module 100 can be inspected by measuring changes in the solar cell module 100 based on the pulse current introduced by the pulse current supply unit 10. In particular, since the light emission of the solar cell module 100 based on the pulse current is detected, that is, the electroluminescence inspection method is performed, it is easy to identify the defective portion of the solar cell module 100. That is, since the defective part of the solar cell module 100 does not emit light or emits very weak light, it is possible to find the defective part in cell units by specifying the part from the imaging data.

  Moreover, since the light emission of the other solar cell module 100 is not used as a power source for evaluation, the solar cell module inspection method can be performed at night, and the solar cell module 100 is not affected by sunlight or the like. Luminescence can be accurately detected.

Furthermore, since the pulse current supply unit 10 is used as a power source for evaluation, a large number of solar cell modules 100 can be inspected at the same time without a large generator. This will be specifically described below. A current typical silicon solar cell has an area of about 250 cm ² and can conduct an electroluminescence inspection method by applying a direct current of a voltage of 1 V and a current of about 10 A (power of 10 W). In order to perform an electroluminescence inspection method on a solar cell module configured by connecting 40 to 60 solar cells in series, a direct current of a voltage of 60 V and a current of about 10 A (power 600 W) is required. If there is, it can be handled by a general generator. However, in the case of a photovoltaic power generation system called mega solar, a large number of solar cell strings 110 in which 15 to 20 solar cell modules 100 are connected in series are assembled, and an electroluminescence inspection method is performed in units of strings. Requires a direct current of a voltage of 1200 V and a current of about 10 A (power 12 kW). A high-voltage power supply for supplying such a DC power supply 11 has a weight of 50 kg or more and a connection power supply of 200 V or more, 20 A or more. Large electric power is required, transportation is difficult, and installation is complicated. In particular, since the mega solar system is installed in a discrete place, it is difficult to carry out an electroluminescence inspection method using a direct current because of the difficulty of the transportation. On the other hand, since the solar cell module inspection apparatus 1 uses a pulse current, the power source can be reduced in size and weight, and it can be easily electrogenerated with respect to a mega solar system in a discrete area. A luminescence inspection method can be performed.

  Further, since a pulse current composed of a plurality of pulses is introduced into the solar cell module 100 and light emission of the solar cell module 100 based on the pulse current composed of the plurality of pulses is detected, the light emission amount of the solar cell module 100 due to each pulse Even if there is little, the exact test | inspection of the solar cell module 100 can be performed easily and reliably using multiple light emission. That is, since image acquisition depends on the shutter opening time in the light detection unit 20 (camera), it is sufficient to capture multiple times of light emission of the solar cell module 100 by a plurality of pulses within one shutter opening time. Imaging data with a sufficient amount of light can be obtained. Specifically, assuming that a 10 A pulse current (pulse width 0.1 seconds, duty ratio 10%) is constantly introduced into the solar cell module 10 and imaging is performed for 10 seconds, the light emission by 100 pulses is integrated. Image data is obtained, and image data equivalent to the case where DC current is constantly introduced for 1 second is obtained. In the case of pulsed current, the current injection time per unit time is 1/10, so the power capacity required for the power supply becomes 1/10, miniaturization, weight saving, portability, simplification of measuring equipment, etc. And facilitate the implementation of the electroluminescence inspection method.

[Other Embodiments]
In addition, although the said embodiment has the said advantage from the said structure, it can change a design suitably within the range which this invention intends.

  That is, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated about what inspects a solar cell module only by an electroluminescence test | inspection method, this invention is not limited to this, A solar cell module is detected by detecting a current-voltage characteristic. An inspection method (current-voltage characteristic inspection method) can be used in combination. Specifically, for example, after performing an electroluminescence inspection method on a solar cell string, a pulse current is introduced in the forward direction from the pulse current supply unit to a solar cell module that is considered to have a defect. The quality of the solar cell module can be determined by detecting the current and voltage of the solar cell module into which the pulse current is introduced.

  In performing the current-voltage characteristic inspection method, the solar cell module inspection device includes a current-voltage detector that detects the current and voltage of the solar cell module. Moreover, the said solar cell module inspection apparatus is good to further provide the evaluation part which performs the quality determination of a solar cell module based on the electric current and voltage which were detected by this electric current voltage detection part. In the current-voltage characteristic inspection method using the pulse current, since the capacitor gradually decreases from the moment when the pulse current is introduced, the current gradually decreases (see ΔI in FIG. 4). By measuring the change in voltage in accordance with this, and comparing this measurement data with the data of a non-defective solar cell module, the state (good or bad) of the solar cell module can be determined.

  In the present invention, it is also intended to perform only the above-described current-voltage characteristic inspection method without performing the electroluminescence method.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what inspected per solar cell string was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, For example, what inspects with respect to one solar cell module is the intent of this invention It is within the range. However, it is preferable to introduce a pulse current to a plurality of solar cell modules (for example, a solar cell string) as in the above-described embodiment, whereby the plurality of solar cell modules can be inspected at a time.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, when what was evaluated at a test | inspection field when the test | inspection of the solar cell module was performed, this invention is not limited to this. For example, only the detection (imaging) is performed at the site of the solar power generation system, the detection data is stored in a storage means (memory or the like), and the installation location of the solar power generation system is based on the detection data stored in the storage means It is also possible to perform evaluations other than.

  Moreover, when using the photon detection part which images the light emission of a solar cell module like the said embodiment, it is also possible to synchronize light emission of a solar cell module, and the detection by a photon detection part. Specifically, for example, the ON / OFF operation of the switch unit 17 of the above embodiment and the opening / closing of the shutter of the light detection unit 20 are synchronized, and the light emission of the solar cell module and the detection by the light detection unit may be synchronized. Is possible. In this way, by synchronizing the light emission of the solar cell module and the detection by the light detection unit, the influence of light (stray light, disturbance light, etc.) other than the light emission of the solar cell module being measured is suppressed, and an accurate inspection is performed. It has the merit that can be done.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the capacitor is used to generate the pulse current. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the use of a pulser, a booster, or the like can be appropriately designed. It can be changed.

  As described above, the solar cell module inspection apparatus and the solar cell module inspection method of the present invention can be suitably used for inspection of a photovoltaic power generation system such as a mega solar system, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar cell module inspection apparatus 10 Pulse current supply part 11 DC power supply 13 Capacitor 15 Terminal part 17 Switch part 20 Photodetection part 30 Evaluation part 100 Solar cell module 101 Solar cell 110 Solar cell string

Claims (9)

A solar cell module inspection device for a solar cell string installed outdoors,
A solar cell module inspection apparatus comprising a pulse current supply unit that introduces a pulse current in a forward direction with respect to a solar cell module.   The solar cell module inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pulse current supply unit includes a DC power source and a capacitor connected to the DC power source and storing electricity for the pulse current.   The solar cell module inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light detection unit that detects light emission of the solar cell module based on the pulse current.   The solar cell module inspection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pulse current supply unit introduces the pulse current including a plurality of pulses into the solar cell module.   The solar cell module inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a current-voltage detector that detects a current and a voltage of the solar cell module into which the pulse current is introduced. A solar cell module inspection method for a solar cell string installed outdoors,
A solar cell module inspection method comprising: a pulse current supply step of introducing a pulse current in a forward direction with respect to the solar cell module; and a measurement step of measuring a change in the solar cell module based on the pulse current.   The solar cell module inspection method according to claim 6, wherein in the measurement step, light emission of the solar cell module based on the pulse current is detected.   The solar cell module inspection method according to claim 7, wherein in the measuring step, the pulse current composed of a plurality of pulses is introduced into the solar cell module, and light emission of the solar cell module based on the pulse current composed of the plurality of pulses is detected. .   The solar cell module inspection method according to claim 6, wherein the current and voltage of the solar cell module into which the pulse current is introduced are detected in the measurement step.

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