초록 ▼

A monitoring system and method for monitoring performance of individual powers sources in a distributed power source system. A monitoring module is coupled to each of the power sources, or to each string of serially connected power sources, to monitor and collect data regarding current, voltage, tem

A monitoring system and method for monitoring performance of individual powers sources in a distributed power source system. A monitoring module is coupled to each of the power sources, or to each string of serially connected power sources, to monitor and collect data regarding current, voltage, temperature and other environmental factors at the power source. The collected data is transmitted over a power line to a central analysis station for analysis. Data collected from each source indicates malfunction or degradation at the source. Comparison of data collected from adjacent sources filters for environmental factors impacting neighboring sources such as cloudy days for a solar panel. Comparison of data collected from the same source at different times indicates soiling or degradation of the source with time or periodic events such as a moving shade from an adjacent building.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A distributed DC power harvesting system comprising: a plurality of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuits, each configured to connect respectively to a corresponding one of a plurality of solar panels to individually perform maximum power tracking of the corresponding solar panel; anda plu

1. A distributed DC power harvesting system comprising: a plurality of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuits, each configured to connect respectively to a corresponding one of a plurality of solar panels to individually perform maximum power tracking of the corresponding solar panel; anda plurality of monitoring modules, each monitoring module connected respectively to one of the MPPT circuits to gather performance data at the maximum power point of the corresponding solar panel; anda plurality of transmitters, each transmitter operatively connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of monitoring modules , wherein each transmitter is adapted for transmitting the performance data from the corresponding monitoring module, wherein each monitoring module includes a timer initialized whenever the corresponding solar panel starts to generate power, and wherein each monitoring module includes a controller configured to control transmission of the performance data according to an elapsed time from timer initialization. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising the receiving station configured to receive the transmitted performance data from the plurality of transmitters, wherein the receiving station further comprises a sensor configured to measure at least one of a voltage and current on a power line configured to carry power from the plurality of solar panels. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein each transmitter comprises a wireless transmitter. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the monitoring modules each comprise at least one of: a current measurement module configured to collect current data from the corresponding solar panel; anda voltage measurement module configured to collect voltage data from the corresponding solar panel. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the monitoring modules each comprise a temperature sensor interface. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the monitoring modules further comprises a randomizer configured to vary the elapsed time. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store the performance data accumulated over a time period beginning from when the corresponding solar panel starts to generate power. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar panels are connected to form a plurality of serial strings of the solar panels, the system further comprising: a connection box for parallel coupling of the serial strings of solar panels; and,a voltage measuring module measuring the voltage of the parallel coupling. 9. A method for monitoring performance in a distributed direct current (DC) power harvesting system, the method comprising: perform, individually, maximum power tracking of each solar panel of a plurality of solar panels;gathering performance data individually from each of the solar panels at a maximum power point of each solar panel; andtransmitting individually the performance data from each solar panel with a respective transmitter of a plurality of transmitters, wherein each transmission from each solar panel occurs at an individual predetermined elapsed setup time beginning from when each solar panel starts generating power in response to receiving sun light, respectively, and wherein the solar panels are spatially separated such that each solar panel starts the generating of power at a different time in response to receiving the sun light. 10. An apparatus comprising: a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuit configured to control voltage or current of a corresponding solar panel to a maximum power point;a monitoring circuit configured to gather performance data of the corresponding solar panel while being controlled by the MPPT circuit; anda transmitter configured to transmit the performance data over a power line, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the performance data at a randomized time relative to transmission on the power line of other performance data from a plurality of other solar panels, wherein the corresponding solar panel and plurality of other solar panels are spatially separated such that each solar panel starts generating power at a different time in response to receiving sun light, and wherein the randomized time is based on when the corresponding solar panel starts the generating of power in response to the sun light. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising at least one of: a current measurement circuit configured to collect current data from the corresponding solar panel;a voltage measurement module configured to collect voltage data from the corresponding solar panel; anda temperature sensor circuit configured to receive temperature data from a temperature sensor. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a timer configured to generate an elapsed time; anda randomizer configured to vary an elapsed time duration at which the randomized time occurs. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a memory configured to store the performance data accumulated over a time period beginning from when the corresponding solar panel starts to generate power. 14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a timer configured to generate the randomized time by being initialized randomly with respect to the plurality of other solar panels. 15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a DC/DC converter configured to convert power from the corresponding solar panel and output the converted power to the power line.