Movement of photovoltaic panels is measured using an array of low-cost devices. Sensors are mounted on photovoltaic panels across a site to measure hail impacts. Time stamped data from the sensors is transmitted to a central computing device which, through an associated trained model, determines qualities of a hailstorm experienced by the site. Measured movement of the photovoltaic panels is used to determine when to place photovoltaic panels in a protective stow mode to reduce damage during a hail event.
Sensors are installed on a solar photovoltaic (PV) tracker project to monitor the movement of solar PV trackers, primarily under wind loading but also during normal tracking operation. The monitoring establishes a baseline performance of the system. Once this baseline is established, the system is monitored for any deviation from the baseline to provide early warning of developing issues before significant failures are experience under environmental loading. The system can also provide real-time measurement of wind speeds throughout the project, based on the baseline performance characterization.
G01S 3/78 - Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 3/786 - Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
3.
Systems and methods for sensing environmental conditions surrounding photovoltaic systems
Sensors are installed on a solar photovoltaic (PV) tracker project to monitor the movement of solar PV trackers, primarily under wind loading but also during normal tracking operation. The monitoring establishes a baseline performance of the system. Once this baseline is established, the system is monitored for any deviation from the baseline to provide early warning of developing issues before significant failures are experience under environmental loading. The system can also provide real-time measurement of wind speeds throughout the project, based on the baseline performance characterization.
G01S 3/78 - Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
G01S 3/786 - Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
4.
SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SENSING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SURROUNDING PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
Movement of photovoltaic panels is measured using an array of low-cost devices. Accelerometers are mounted on photovoltaic panels across a site to measure wind speed and direction. Time stamped data from the devices is transmitted to a central computing device which calculates a rolling, lagging wind speed and direction. Measured movement of the photovoltaic panels is used to determine when to place photovoltaic panels in a protective stow mode to reduce damage during a wind event.
G01P 1/07 - Indicating devices, e.g. for remote indication
G01W 1/04 - Instruments for indicating weather conditions by measuring two or more variables, e.g. humidity, pressure, temperature, cloud cover or wind speed giving only separate indications of the variables measured
H02S 50/00 - Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification
H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
5.
System and methods for sensing environmental conditions surrounding photovoltaic systems
Movement of photovoltaic panels is measured using an array of low-cost devices. Accelerometers are mounted on photovoltaic panels across a site to measure wind speed and direction. Time stamped data from the devices is transmitted to a central computing device which calculates a rolling, lagging wind speed and direction. Measured movement of the photovoltaic panels is used to determine when to place photovoltaic panels in a protective stow mode to reduce damage during a wind event.
G01P 1/07 - Indicating devices, e.g. for remote indication
G01W 1/04 - Instruments for indicating weather conditions by measuring two or more variables, e.g. humidity, pressure, temperature, cloud cover or wind speed giving only separate indications of the variables measured
H02S 50/00 - Monitoring or testing of PV systems, e.g. load balancing or fault identification
H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
patents