US2016359454A1PendingUtilityA1

Testing of module integrated electronics using power reversal

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Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPPriority: Mar 6, 2011Filed: Aug 22, 2016Published: Dec 8, 2016
Est. expiryMar 6, 2031(~4.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Ravindranath Naiknaware
H02S 40/32G01R 31/2603H02S 50/15Y02E10/50H02S 50/10
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Claims

Abstract

A method for testing a photovoltaic (PV) module includes applying a test sequence to the integrated power converter, reversing the integrated power converter in response to the test sequence, and obtaining test results from the PV module in response to the test sequence. The test sequence may include applying reverse excitation power to output terminals of the reversible integrated power converter. The reverse excitation power may provide bootstrap power to one or more components of the integrated power converter. The test method may include activating substantially the entire reversible drive train, testing the drive train and characterizing the PV cells in the module in response to the reverse excitation power.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method for testing a photovoltaic (PV) module having at least one PV cell coupled to an integrated power converter, the method comprising:
 applying a test sequence to the integrated power converter;   reversing the integrated power converter in response to the test sequence; and   obtaining a test result from the PV module in response to the test sequence.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising presetting a parameter of the integrated power converter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein applying the test sequence comprises applying an illumination pattern to the at least one PV cell. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the illumination pattern comprises a flash pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein applying the test sequence comprises applying reverse excitation power to output terminals of the integrated power converter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein applying the test sequence comprises applying a plurality of test sequences to the integrated power converter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein reversing the integrated power converter comprises activating at least a portion of a drive train of the integrated power converter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein reversing the integrated power converter comprises providing bootstrap power to a component of the integrated power converter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the test result from the PV module comprises testing a drive train of the integrated power converter. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the test result from the PV module comprises characterizing the at least one PV cell in response to reverse excitation power applied to output terminals of the integrated power converter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the test result from the PV module comprises sensing a parameter of the integrated power converter using a data acquisition system external to the PV module. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the test result from the PV module comprises sensing a parameter of the integrated power converter using hardware internal to the PV module. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the test result from the PV module comprises determining an impedance of a drive train of the integrated power converter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the test result from the PV module comprises determining an impedance of the at least one PV cell. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the test result from the PV module comprises determining a complex impedance of the PV module. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a reference signature is stored locally within the PV module and obtaining the test result from the PV module comprises obtaining a signature of the integrated power converter, the method further comprising comparing the signature to the reference signature. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising providing a pass/fail result as function of a comparison of the signature to the reference signature. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the pass/fail result is provided by a visual indicator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the signature is an output signature of the integrated power converter.

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