JP5153722B2 - Photoelectric conversion device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion device.

  A photovoltaic power generation device that is one of photoelectric conversion devices inputs power generated by a solar cell string in which a plurality of solar cell modules are connected in series to a power conditioner that is a power conversion device, and is in a form suitable for a load. It supplies power.

  In recent years, the solar power generation apparatus has become larger in size by using many solar cell modules as the output increases. Thus, when the number of installed solar cell modules increases, even if any of the solar cell modules breaks down, a great effort is required to identify the individual. Therefore, a detection circuit for detecting the power generation output of the solar cell module is provided in or near the solar cell module, and when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the power generation of the solar cell module, together with identification information such as an ID number, an administrator or server Has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-269531 A

  However, if an attempt is made to investigate or replace the solar cell module after discovering an abnormality, the location of the solar cell array consisting of a large number of solar cell modules must first be specified. In addition, the conventional method in which the solar cell module itself has a self-diagnosis function so that the power generation information and diagnosis information are periodically notified to the administrator and the management server together with the individual identification information is judged as abnormal. Although the ID number and the like can be known from the identification information of the solar cell module, it is recorded in advance where the solar cell module having the ID number is arranged in the solar cell array before installing the solar cell module. There is a need. However, such recording is often performed manually, and mistakes may occur. Even if the electronic data is recorded, if the electronic data is lost, an operation for associating the ID number of each solar cell module with the position where the solar cell module is arranged must be performed.

  In view of the above-described problems, in the present invention, even after installing a photoelectric conversion device having such a plurality of photoelectric conversion modules (solar cell modules), a photoelectric that can easily acquire position information of each photoelectric conversion module. It is to provide a conversion device.

The photoelectric conversion device of the present invention is a photoelectric conversion device in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion modules are arranged, and is a first for transmitting position information to a photoelectric conversion module serving as a base point among the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules. A signal transmission unit configured to transmit a signal; a signal reception unit configured to receive a second signal having position information of each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules from a photoelectric conversion module serving as an end point among the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules; and the signal reception A position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules based on the second signal received from the unit, wherein the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules are arranged adjacent to each other. A control unit that exchanges position information of the photoelectric conversion module between the conversion modules, and each of the control units includes the photoelectric unit in which the control unit is disposed. From the first photoelectric conversion module located in the signal transmitting unit side of the conversion module, receives the location information of the first photoelectric conversion module, is output on the basis of the position information of the first photoelectric conversion module and, wherein the you transmitted to the second photoelectric conversion module located in the signal receiving unit side with respect to the corresponding photoelectric conversion module position information of the corresponding photoelectric conversion module in signal.

  According to the photoelectric conversion device of the present invention, the arrangement of each photoelectric conversion module can be easily specified based on the relative position information of each photoelectric conversion module even after the photoelectric conversion device is installed. Therefore, even when a photoelectric conversion module in which an abnormality has occurred is discovered, an operator can immediately respond.

It is a block diagram which illustrates typically the composition of the solar power generation device which is an example of the photoelectric conversion device of the present invention. It is a top view explaining the structure of the solar cell module used for the solar power generation device which is an example of the photoelectric conversion apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining arrangement | positioning of the solar cell module which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transmission method of the signal between the solar cell modules which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the provision method of the coordinate value to the signal between the solar cell modules which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the provision method of the coordinate value to the signal between the solar cell modules which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the provision method of the coordinate value to the signal between the solar cell modules which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the provision method of the coordinate value to the signal between the solar cell modules which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the provision method of the coordinate value to the signal between the solar cell modules which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  An embodiment of a photoelectric conversion device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a solar power generation device that is an example of a photoelectric conversion device will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and light other than sunlight, for example, light emitted by a lighting fixture or the like. Therefore, it can be applied to an apparatus that performs photoelectric conversion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the solar power generation device Z according to the present embodiment is a solar cell in which a solar cell module 1 (photoelectric conversion module) formed by electrically connecting a plurality of solar cell elements in series is series-parallel. Array 2, connection box 3 that collects the power transmission output from solar cell array 2, power conditioner 4 that converts the collected DC power into AC power, and AC power is consumed by the output of power conditioner 4 The AC load 5 or the commercial power system 6 that performs reverse power flow is connected. Further, the solar power generation device Z includes a signal transmission unit 8 that inputs a signal to at least one solar cell module 1, a signal reception unit 9 that receives a signal that is sequentially transmitted through the solar cell module, and a received signal. And an arithmetic unit 10 that analyzes information (position information) of the solar cell module. In the present embodiment, the solar cell array 2 is configured by connecting seven solar cell modules 1 in series (separated by bold lines in the figure) as one string and connecting a total of eight strings in parallel. ing. The outputs from the strings are connected in parallel at the terminals inside the junction box 3 and collected into one or two. At this time, if the backflow prevention diode 31 is connected in series to each string, even if there is a string in which the generated voltage is extremely reduced due to some kind of shadow on the solar cell module, the generated voltage other than the string decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the total generated power.

  The solar cell module 1 is a solar cell element array (solar cell string) configured by connecting a plurality of solar cell elements that can generate power alone, such as a single crystal silicon substrate or a polycrystalline silicon substrate, in series or in parallel. This is a laminate in which a solar cell element array is sealed by sandwiching it between resin fillers such as EVA, sandwiching it between a translucent substrate and a back surface member, and heating and crosslinking. In addition, as a solar cell element, what laminated | stacked not only the above silicon substrates but compound-type thin films, such as an amorphous silicon type and CIGS, can also be used.

  The solar cell array 2 is formed by arranging a plurality of solar cell modules 1 side by side and electrically connecting them in series or in parallel. The characteristics such as voltage can be controlled according to the number of the solar cell modules 1.

  The connection box 3 is a distribution box made of metal or resin, and is installed as a connection point for connecting the plurality of solar cell module groups described above in parallel. A plurality of electric wires (power cables) are electrically connected in parallel inside the connection box 3 with connectors and terminals, and the collected power lines are connected to the input side of the power converter.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the solar cell module 1 includes a transmission device 11 (transmission means) for transmitting a signal, a reception device 12 (reception means) for receiving a signal, a transmission device 11 and a reception device 12. And an operation unit 13 to be operated. In the present embodiment, the transmission device 11 and the reception device 12 are respectively provided on each side (upper side U, lower side D, right side R, left side L) of the frame of the substantially rectangular solar cell module in plan view. ing. Moreover, the control part which consists of the transmission device 11, the receiving device 12, and the operation part 13 is arrange | positioned at each solar cell module.

  Next, the function of the solar power generation device Z of this Embodiment is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a signal is input from the signal transmission unit 8 to the solar cell module a (first photoelectric conversion module) in the solar cell array 2, and the solar cell module adjacent to the signal is input. b (second photoelectric conversion module) and the solar cell module e are sequentially transmitted to each solar cell module, and the signal is received from the signal receiver 9 provided in the solar cell module B as shown in FIG. And the arrangement of each solar cell module can be specified from the relative position information of each solar cell module by the calculation unit 10. The first and second photoelectric conversion modules are not limited to the solar cell module a and the solar cell module b as described above, but may be two solar cell modules arranged at positions adjacent to each other. Good.

  The signal transmission unit 8 has a function of inputting a signal for transmitting position information of the solar cell module 1 to at least one solar cell module 1. For example, a light-emitting diode capable of infrared communication is used as the signal transmission unit 8. Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the signal transmission part 8 is arrange | positioned so that a signal may be input into the solar cell module a, you may input a signal into another solar cell module.

  The signal receiving unit 9 has a function of receiving signals that are sequentially transmitted between a plurality of solar cell modules in the solar cell array 2. As the signal receiving unit 9, for example, a photodiode that generates light by receiving light having a wavelength in the infrared region is used. Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the signal receiving part 9 is arrange | positioned so that the signal transmitted from the solar cell module B may be received, you may receive a signal from another solar cell module. In this embodiment, the signal transmission unit 8 and the signal reception unit 9 are provided as separate units. However, if a bidirectional module having both transmission and reception functions is substituted, for example, the signal reception unit 9 Even when the solar cell module that receives the signal is out of order, the signal having the position information can be received.

  The calculation unit 10 controls the signal transmission unit 8 and the signal reception unit 9 and functions as a position information acquisition unit that acquires the position information of the solar cell module by performing a computer process on the signal received by the signal reception unit 9. To do. In addition, the calculation unit 10 may have a function of mapping the arrangement of the solar cell modules based on the obtained position information and displaying the map on a display device or the like. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the calculation unit 10 uses a signal reception direction (or non-reception direction) as a signal in which signals transmitted sequentially from the solar cell module a to the solar cell modules reach the solar cell module B. ) To map the arrangement of the solar cell module, determine that the solar cell module in the non-reception direction is abnormal (failure, etc.), and that information and relative position information based on the solar cell module a The position information can be output to a display device or transmitted to another device.

  Transmission / reception of signals between the solar cell modules is performed by the transmission device 11 and the reception device 12 provided in each solar cell module. Therefore, if the adjacent solar cell modules 1 are arranged so that the transmission device 11 and the reception device 12 face each other, it is preferable that signals are easily exchanged. For example, in FIG. 3, the transmission device 11 and the reception device 12 are arranged on the right side R of the solar cell module a so as to face the reception device 12 on the left side L of the adjacent solar cell module e. It can be placed on the side. The transmitting device 11 and the receiving device 12 are not particularly limited as long as they can transmit and receive signals. For example, a light emitting diode (transmitting device) and a photodiode (receiving device) capable of infrared communication. But you can. Examples other than the infrared communication described above include, for example, light emission that emits visible light or ultraviolet light, optical communication using a photodiode or an optical sensor, radio wave communication, communication such as a magnetic signal using a coil, signal contact (electrical Communication by wired connection provided with (connection) may be used.

  The direction in which the transmission device 11 transmits a signal is determined depending on from which direction the solar cell module in which the transmission device 11 is installed receives the signal. Specifically, the transmission device 11 transmits a signal from the transmission device 11 arranged in the frame that has not received the signal by the reception device 12 toward the reception device 12 of the adjacent solar cell module. For example, in FIG. 2, when a signal is input to the receiving device 12 disposed on the left side L, the signal is transmitted from the transmitting device 11 disposed on the upper side U, the lower side D, and the right side R to the adjacent solar cell module. . Further, for example, when signals are input to the receiving devices 12 on the left side L and the lower side D, signals are transmitted from the transmitting devices 11 arranged on the upper side U and the right side R to the adjacent solar cell modules.

  The transmission device 11 and the reception device 12 are connected to the operation unit 13, and a signal input to the reception device 12 is sent to the operation unit 13. And the operation part 13 outputs the positional information of the solar cell module in which this operation part 13 was installed based on the input signal, and adds the value regarding the predetermined positional information with respect to this signal. Then, signals are sequentially transmitted to predetermined adjacent solar cell modules.

  The operation unit 13 is an arithmetic element with a built-in memory. For example, the operation unit 13 has a minimum arithmetic function such as a 4-bit microcomputer, or a high-speed and advanced arithmetic capability such as a CPU (central processing unit). Is applicable. The operation unit 13 stores a program that defines a processing method when a signal is input from the receiving device 12.

  Next, the acquisition method of the positional information on a solar cell module is demonstrated.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the solar cell module (solar cell module a) that is the base point (starting point) at which signals are first input from the solar cell array 1 and the end point from which signals are finally extracted. A solar cell module (solar cell module p) is determined. Next, an X direction and a Y direction are defined in order to orient the solar cell modules arranged in a matrix. In addition, as a solar cell module used as a start point and an end point, solar cell modules other than the solar cell module a or the solar cell module p can also be selected. Further, a signal transmission unit 8 for inputting a signal as shown in FIG. 1 is disposed in the vicinity of the solar cell module a serving as the start point, and a signal for receiving a signal in the vicinity of the solar cell module p serving as the end point. A receiving unit 9 is arranged.

  Next, program operation settings relating to information processing of the operation unit 13 are performed. The operation rule of the program is, for example, “When there is an input to the receiving device, add integers of coordinates in the X and Y directions to the input data, and add from the transmitting device in the direction other than the received data Set up a program such as A signal that reaches the solar cell module p according to this operation rule is received by the signal receiving unit 9, and an arrangement map of the solar cell module is created by the calculation unit 10 based on the received signal. As an example of the arrangement map, as shown in FIG. 3, it is performed by an image display device such as a liquid crystal monitor according to the arrangement of actual solar cell modules. In such an arrangement map, it is possible to visually grasp the number of installed solar cell modules and the arrangement shape (vertical / horizontal arrangement number). Therefore, in this Embodiment, even if the identification information and position information of each solar cell module are not recorded beforehand at the time of installation of a solar power generation device, arrangement | positioning of a solar cell module can be specified easily after installation. Moreover, even if there is a shortage in the number of installed solar cell modules due to a construction error, it can be easily detected.

  Next, acquisition of position information of the solar cell module based on the above-described operation rule will be described in detail. First, a signal is input to the solar cell module a serving as a starting point, and position information of the solar cell module a is given as coordinates (X, Y). In the present embodiment, the coordinates of the solar cell module a are (0, 0). Further, the form of the signal is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, it is two-dimensional data such as (X, Y) = (0, 0) representing coordinates. The solar cell module to which the signal is input stores the coordinates (0, 0), which is its position information, in the memory of the operation unit 13. Thereafter, a signal is transmitted from the transmission device 11 of the solar cell module a to the adjacent solar cell module b and solar cell module e.

  Next, the operation | movement at the time of transmitting to an adjacent solar cell module is demonstrated. In this Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it performs with respect to the adjacent solar cell module from the transmission device 11 arrange | positioned at the edge | side (frame body) in which the signal was not input into the receiving device 12. FIG. For example, when a signal is input to the receiving device 12 on the left side L of the solar cell module, the transmitting device 11 arranged on the three sides of the upper side U, the right side R, and the lower side D is arranged to face each side. A signal is transmitted toward the receiving device 12 of the solar cell module. At this time, a value is added to the coordinates according to the movement of the signal. For example, if the signal is a coordinate (0, 0) in which the X coordinate is 0 and the Y coordinate is 0, and the input direction is from the right side L side, the signal is transferred (moved) along the X axis. ) Is added to the X coordinate. Then, the value added to the X coordinate, that is, the coordinate (1, 0) is output as position information of the adjacent solar cell module. Moreover, in the form shown in FIG. 5, since the solar cell module b and the solar cell module e receive the signal from the solar cell module a that is the starting point from the direction of the broken line arrow in the drawing, the positional information of the solar cell module b Are coordinates (0, 1), and coordinates serving as position information of the solar cell module e are coordinates (1, 0).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in the solar cell module c, the solar cell module f, and the solar cell module i that have received signals from the solar cell module b and the solar cell module e, values corresponding to the respective directions are added to the coordinates. The Coordinates (2, 0) are given to the solar cell module e as the position coordinates of the solar cell module i arranged at a position moved by one in the X-axis direction. In addition, coordinates (0, 2) are given as position coordinates of the solar cell module c arranged at a position moved by one in the Y-axis direction with respect to the solar cell module b, and each coordinate indicates its position. As shown. On the other hand, in the solar cell module f in which signals are input from both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, since there are inputs from two directions, the right side L side and the lower side D side, the position coordinates are coordinates (1, 1). Thus, signal transmission is performed in two directions in which there was no reception. Thus, if it transmits by the signal which adds sequentially with respect to the coordinate value of each solar cell module, as shown in FIG. 7, it will arrive at the solar cell module p located in an end point, and will reach the solar cell module p. The input signal becomes coordinates (3, 3), the position coordinates of the solar cell module p are determined, and position information is given to all the solar cell modules. Thereafter, the signal transmitted from the transmission device 11 of the solar cell module p is received by the signal receiver 9 and transmitted to the calculator 10. Finally, the position information based on the coordinates of each solar cell module is output by the calculation unit 10 to create an arrangement map.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, it is also possible to detect the solar cell module in which the malfunction occurred based on the lack of information on the arrangement map. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram assuming a case where the solar cell module k is out of order. First, as described above, when a signal is input to the solar cell module a that is the starting point, signals are input from the solar cell module g and the solar cell module j adjacent to the solar cell module k (in FIG. Arrow). At this time, if the solar cell module k is normal, the positional information received from the solar cell module j and the solar cell module g is sequentially transmitted as a signal to the adjacent solar cell modules. The signal cannot be transmitted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the signal passing through the solar cell module h and the solar cell module n reaches the solar cell module l or the solar cell module o that is scheduled to receive a signal from the solar cell module k. And since the signal transmitted from the solar cell module p at the end point also includes information that the position coordinate of the solar cell module k has not been detected, when analyzed by the arithmetic unit 10, the arrangement of the solar cell modules Since the coordinates (2, 2) to be output at the position of the solar cell module k are not displayed on the map, it is understood that there is a problem with the solar cell module at the position of the coordinates (2, 2). As described above, in this embodiment, even if there is a solar cell module in which a failure occurs on the signal transmission route and communication cannot be performed, the solar cell in which a failure has occurred from the transmission route of the surrounding modules and the signal reception direction. It is possible to continue information transmission by going around the module, and it is possible to create an arrangement map.

  In the present embodiment, if the serial ID of the solar cell module is combined and transmitted to the calculation unit 10 in addition to the coordinate value described above, the arrangement map is created with the serial ID after the construction of the solar cell module. be able to. Moreover, in this Embodiment, although installed so that the signal receiving part 9 may be connected with the solar cell module p, you may install in a several solar cell module. In this way, if a plurality of signal receiving units 9 are installed, for example, even if the solar cell module p is defective, a signal can be transmitted to the arithmetic unit 10. Moreover, if the solar cell modules are arranged in a matrix as in the present embodiment, an arrangement map can be created with simple coordinate axes.

Z: Solar power generation device 1, a to B: Solar cell module 2: Solar cell array 3: Connection box 4: Power conditioner 5: AC load 6: Commercial power system 8: Signal transmission unit 9: Signal reception unit 10: Arithmetic unit 11: transmitting device 12: receiving device 31: backflow prevention diode

Claims (5)

A photoelectric conversion device in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion modules are arranged,
A signal transmission unit that transmits a first signal for transmitting position information to a photoelectric conversion module serving as a base point among the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules;
A signal receiving unit that receives a second signal having position information of each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules from a photoelectric conversion module serving as an end point among the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules;
A position information acquisition unit that acquires each position information of the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules based on the second signal received from the signal reception unit;
Each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules has a control unit that exchanges position information of the photoelectric conversion modules between adjacent photoelectric conversion modules,
Each of the control units receives position information of the first photoelectric conversion module from a first photoelectric conversion module located on the signal transmission unit side with respect to the photoelectric conversion module in which the control unit is disposed , the output based on the first positional information of the photoelectric conversion module, the second photoelectric conversion module located in the signal receiving unit side with respect to the corresponding photoelectric conversion module position information of the corresponding photoelectric conversion module in signal the photoelectric conversion device comprising a Turkey be transmitted to. The photoelectric conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the first signal is position information itself of the photoelectric conversion module serving as the base point. Wherein, when said first photoelectric conversion module located in the signal transmitting portion with respect to the photoelectric conversion module in which the control unit is disposed is more disposed, the signal transmitting unit side of the plurality of If the signal from at least one photoelectric conversion module of the first photoelectric conversion module located at is not inputted, the second signal located on the signal receiving unit side indicates that the signal is not inputted . the photoelectric conversion device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that transmitted together with the position information of the photoelectric conversion module to the photoelectric conversion module. Wherein, before Symbol if there is an abnormality in the first photoelectric conversion module, the photoelectric conversion device according to claim 3, characterized in that does not transmit the signal to the second photoelectric conversion module. Wherein the control unit includes a receiving means for receiving the location information of the first photoelectric conversion module, the position information of the second of the first of the photoelectric conversion module as output based on the position information of the photoelectric conversion module transmission means for transmitting to the photoelectric conversion module, which have a,
And characterized in that said transmitting means of said plurality of said transmitting means and the other of the photoelectric conversion module of one photoelectric conversion module of the two adjacent photoelectric conversion module of the photoelectric conversion module is disposed so as to face each other the photoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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