JP2016019408A - Inspection system, power supply device, photographing device, and inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection system for efficiently performing quality determination of a solar cell.SOLUTION: An inspection system 1 includes: a power supply device 2 for supplying power to a solar cell; and a photographing device 3 for photographing the solar cell. The power supply device includes: power supply means for supplying power to parts of the solar cell so as to make DC current flow in a direction reverse to that of current flowing at the time of the solar cell's power generation; order setting means for setting, for each part, order of the power supply means supplying power to the part of the solar cell; and switching means for switching, on the basis of the order set by the order setting means, a part of the solar cell to which the power supply means supplies power. The photographing device includes: photographing means for photographing the solar cell; and display means for displaying a picture photographed by the photographing means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection system, a power supply device, an imaging device, and an inspection method.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply unit that applies a forward voltage to the solar cell to be inspected and an imaging unit that captures an image of the solar cell to be inspected in order to cause the solar cell to be inspected to emit light. And an image processing means for processing an image picked up by the image pickup means, and an output means for outputting an image processed by the image processing means, wherein the image processing means is in a state where excitation light emission is not performed. Differential image generation means for generating a difference image by taking the difference between the first image of the solar cell and the second image of the solar cell in the excited light emission state, and applying a Fourier transform process to the difference image, Fourier transform means for converting the image of the solar cell into first frequency domain data expressed as frequency domain data, and a predetermined filtering process for the first frequency domain data Filtering means for generating second frequency domain data in which frequency components having periodicity in the first frequency domain data are reduced, and applying a Fourier inverse transform process to the second frequency domain data, There is disclosed a defect inspection apparatus for a solar cell, comprising an inverse Fourier transform means for generating a monitor image.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a solar cell evaluation apparatus that evaluates defects in a solar cell, and a current injection unit that injects a current in a forward direction with respect to the solar cell element constituting the solar cell, Emission detection means for detecting light in a first region having a wavelength of 800 nm to 1300 nm and light in a second region having a wavelength of 1400 nm to 1800 nm among the light emission generated from the solar cell element due to the current injected from the current injection means. And a determination means for discriminating between intrinsic defects and extrinsic defects using the light emission intensity of the first region and the light emission intensity of the second region of the light detected by the light emission detection means as indices. There is disclosed a solar cell evaluation apparatus including the solar cell evaluation apparatus.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a solar cell evaluation method for evaluating the performance of a solar cell, and a current introduction step of introducing a direct current in the forward direction with respect to the solar cell element constituting the solar cell; The solar cell element is heated, and a temperature control step for variably controlling the heating temperature, current introduction by the current introduction step, and heating by the temperature control step, detection of light emission characteristics of light generated from the solar cell element A method for evaluating a solar cell, comprising: a light emission detecting step.

JP 2013-156269 A WO2011 / 016441 WO2007 / 129585

  An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection system for efficiently judging the quality of a solar cell.

  An inspection system according to the present invention is an inspection system including a power supply device that supplies power to a solar cell and a photographing device that images the solar cell, the power supply device being in a direction opposite to a current that flows during power generation of the solar cell. Power supply means for supplying power to a part of the solar cell so as to allow direct current to flow, and for each part, order setting means for setting the order of supplying power to the solar cell by the power supply means, Switching means for switching the solar cell to which power is supplied by the power supply means based on the order set by the order setting means, and the imaging device captures the solar cell; Display means for displaying an image photographed by the photographing means.

  Preferably, it further has a plurality of light emitting means installed at a plurality of positions of the solar cell, and each of the light emitting means emits light according to the position of the solar cell to which power is supplied by the power supply means.

  Preferably, it further includes a comparison unit that compares the image captured this time with the previously captured image and identifies a corresponding partial change amount or a change amount of a variation degree of each part in the solar cell. .

  The power supply device according to the present invention includes a power supply unit that supplies power to a part of the solar cell so that a direct current flows in a direction opposite to a current that flows during power generation of the solar cell, and the power supply unit for each part. Order setting means for setting the order in which power is supplied to the solar cells, and switching means for switching the solar cells to which power is supplied by the power supply means based on the order set by the order setting means. .

  Preferably, when power is supplied to the solar cell by the power supply means, detection means for detecting current, and when power is supplied to the solar cell by the power supply means, the detection means Determination means for determining whether or not a disconnection is made based on the detected result, wherein the determination means determines that no disconnection occurs when a current is detected by the detection means; The means switches the solar cell that is determined not to be disconnected by the determination means.

  Preferably, the power supply device is a power conditioner that converts electric power generated by a solar cell, and the power supply means is a wiring that electrically connects each of the plurality of portions of the solar cell and the power conditioner. Electric power is supplied so as to flow a direct current in the opposite direction to the current flowing during power generation of the solar cell.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an infrared image of the solar cell in which power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of portions of the solar cell, and the sun that is supplied with power from an image captured by the imaging unit. Extracting means for extracting an infrared image corresponding to each of a plurality of parts of the battery, and combining means for combining the images extracted by the extracting means.

  Preferably, the synthesizing unit synthesizes the first area extracted by the extracting unit and the second area in the order of photographing.

  Preferably, the synthesizing unit synthesizes the first region extracted by the extracting unit and the second region so as to overlap each other.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes an illuminating unit that emits light from which at least the infrared region is removed, and the imaging unit captures an image of only the infrared region.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes switching instruction means for instructing switching of the solar cells to which power is supplied from the power supply device, and the photographing means photographs the solar cells in the order of switching by the switching instruction means.

  In the inspection method according to the present invention, the solar cell and the power supply device are electrically connected so that electric power is supplied to each of the plurality of portions of the solar cell, and a direct current is passed through the first portion of the solar cell. A step of supplying power, a step of photographing the first portion to which power is supplied, a step of switching the supply destination of the power supply device from the first portion to the second portion, and supplying power Photographing the second portion of the solar cell.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the quality determination of a solar cell can be performed efficiently.

It is a figure which illustrates the outline | summary of the test | inspection system 1 which concerns on this embodiment. 3 is a diagram for explaining a functional configuration of a power supply device 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image capturing device 3. It is a flowchart explaining the test | inspection selection process (S10) which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the electric power supply process (S20) which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the image display process (S30) which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the record information and evaluation regarding a determination result. It is a figure which illustrates an image storage table. It is a figure explaining the example which synthesize | combines the image of each solar cell string S to the image which light-emits excitation uniformly. It is an illustration figure explaining the synthesis | combination of the image which makes an excitation light emission phenomenon clear. It is a figure explaining the inspection system 1 in the modification 3. FIG.

First, the background according to the present invention will be described.
In order to perform a quality judgment inspection of a solar cell, a method of performing an inspection using an excitation light emission phenomenon is known. In the method of inspecting using the excitation light emission phenomenon, the inspection is performed in a dark room in order to confirm the light generated by the excitation light emission of the solar cell. Therefore, an operator removes a solar cell to be inspected from a place where the solar cell is installed (for example, a roof of a building) and carries out the inspection after transporting the removed solar cell to a dark room. However, when it becomes a scale like a mega solar, it is inefficient because it takes a huge amount of work to inspect all the solar cells. In addition, since there is a possibility that some of the solar cells include good solar cells in which defects such as disconnection are not found, the same operation is performed for solar cells that do not need to be originally inspected. There was a possibility.

Then, an object of this invention is to provide the inspection system which performs the quality determination of a solar cell efficiently. In other words, the inspection system determines whether or not the solar cell is good on the spot where the solar cell is installed without carrying the solar cell to the dark room.
The inspection system includes a power supply device that supplies power to a part of the solar cell and an imaging device that captures an infrared image of the solar cell that is supplied with power to a plurality of portions of the solar cell.
The power supply device is unsuitable for carrying because the solar cell is uniformly excited to emit light and becomes large. Then, a power supply device does not carry out excitation light emission of a solar cell uniformly, but supplies each electric power to the solar cell of each part, and makes each solar cell light-emit by switching in order. Therefore, the power supply device can be reduced in size.
However, since the photographing device is sequentially switched by the power supply device to cause each solar cell to emit light, it is not possible to photograph all the solar cells at once. Moreover, since excitation light emission is performed by switching in order, excitation light emission cannot be clearly confirmed. Therefore, the imaging device extracts and synthesizes infrared images corresponding to each of the plurality of portions of the solar cell from the captured infrared images. Therefore, the imaging device can display an infrared image in which a plurality of solar cells are uniformly excited and emitted to an operator.

Thus, since the inspection system can reduce the power supplied to the solar cell by supplying power to each part of the solar cell and switching the solar cell instead of the entire solar cell, the power supply can be downsized. Can be realized.
In addition, the inspection system combines the images of the solar cells that emit light from the solar cells into a continuous image, so that an infrared image in which a plurality of solar cells uniformly emit light without imaging all the solar cells at once. It can be. Furthermore, by synthesizing infrared images of excitation light emitted from the same solar cell, the light of excitation light emission can be clearly displayed.
Therefore, the operator can focus on solar cells that require further detailed inspection based on images taken on the spot.

Next, an outline according to the present embodiment will be described.
Hereinafter, the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an inspection system 1 according to this embodiment.
The inspection system 1 inspects the existing solar cell 50 in the field. The inspection system 1 is preferably inspected during a time zone in which the solar cell 50 can confirm the excitation light emission phenomenon so as to be bright.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the inspection system 1 includes an imaging device 3 and a power supply device 2.
For example, the solar cell 50 is electrically connected to the power supply device 2 via a current collector. The solar cell 50 is a group of solar cell modules (a group of solar cell modules). The solar cell modules are connected to each other in series to form a solar cell string S (S1 to S6). And a diode circuit. The solar cell 50 emits light when the power generation circuit is excited by supplying power so that a direct current flows in a direction opposite to the direction in which the current flows during power generation. In the present embodiment, an example in which power is supplied to each solar cell string S (S1 to S6) to perform excitation light emission will be described.
Here, the disconnection is, for example, a state in which the connection or circuit inside the components of the power generation circuit or bypass diode circuit included in the solar cell 50 is physically disconnected, or the components constituting the power generation circuit or bypass diode circuit, This is a concept including a state in which a current passed through the solar cell 50 cannot be detected due to a state of being electrically disconnected due to a physical property defect of the material.

The power supply device 2 is a power supply device that supplies power so that a direct current flows through the solar cell 50. The power supply device 2 may include a storage battery, or may supply power to the solar battery 50 from an external power source.
The power supply device 2 is electrically connected by an operator so as to supply power to each of the solar cell strings S constituting the solar cell 50 via, for example, a current collector.
First, the power supply device 2 sets the order in which power is supplied to the connected solar cell strings S, and whether or not the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit included in the solar cell strings S are disconnected in the set order. Inspect. Based on the inspection result of the solar cell string S, the power supply device 2 selects the solar cell string S determined that the power generation circuit is not disconnected.
Next, the power supply device 2 supplies the power by sequentially switching the solar cell strings determined that the power generation circuit is not disconnected. The power supply device 2 causes the solar cell string S to emit light by supplying power to the solar cell string S in a direction in which it is excited.
Here, the order in which power is supplied to the electrically connected solar cell strings S may be appropriately set by the operator, or may be the order of the connection terminals in the power supply device 2 in advance.
Moreover, the timing which switches the solar cell string S may be performed by the operator's operation of the remote controller 2a, or the power supply device 2 may be automatically switched at a predetermined time (for example, 1 second to 10 seconds).

The imaging device 3 is a device that captures an infrared image of the solar cell 50 (a plurality of solar cell strings S) supplied with power from the power supply device 2. For example, the photographing device 3 includes a camera 4, an illumination unit 8, and a control unit 10 in a working helmet or the like, and the display unit 6 is configured as a spectacle type so that it can be a portable device. . The photographing apparatus 3 includes a camera 4, a display unit 6, an illumination unit 8, and a control unit 10.
[Camera 4]
The camera 4 is an example of a photographing unit according to the present invention.
The camera 4 captures at least light emitted by the excitation light emission phenomenon of the solar cell 50. The camera 4 can capture invisible light and captures an infrared region of the invisible light. The camera 4 may be a camera for photographing an infrared region, or may be used with a lens or the like that removes visible light. The camera 4 may be a moving image or a still image as an image to be taken.
[Display unit 6]
The display unit 6 is an example of a display unit according to the present invention.
The display unit 6 displays an image captured by the camera 4. The display unit 6 has a size that can be carried, and may be, for example, a mobile terminal type (tablet terminal or smart phone), a spectacle type, a magnifying glass type, or a camera 4.
[Lighting unit 8]
The illumination unit 8 is an example of a light emitting unit according to the present invention.
The illumination unit 8 can be brightened by applying light to a predetermined place, and is attached with a filter that removes visible light, for example. The illuminating unit 8 emits light excluding the infrared region. Since the illumination unit 8 is light other than the infrared region, the illumination unit 8 can illuminate a place that the operator wants to brighten without being photographed by the camera 4.
[Control unit 10]
The control unit 10 controls the camera 4 and the display unit 6. In addition, the control unit 10 combines the infrared images captured by the camera 4 and causes the display unit 6 to display the combined infrared image. Specifically, the control unit 10 extracts and synthesizes an infrared image including a portion where the solar cell is excited and emitted from the infrared image obtained by photographing each of the solar cell strings S that are each part of the solar cell 50, The solar cell string S is displayed on the display unit 6 with an infrared image that is uniformly excited and emitted. In addition, the control unit 10 combines the infrared images of the same solar cell string S so as to overlap each other, and causes the display unit 6 to display the excitation light emission of the solar cell string S clearly.

  In this way, the inspection system 1 switches in turn for each part (solar cell string S) of the solar cell 50 in which the power generation circuit in the direction opposite to the current flowing when the solar cell generates power is disconnected by the power supply device 2. Electric power is supplied, and an infrared image obtained by photographing each of the solar cell strings S to which electric power is supplied by the imaging device 3 is synthesized. Therefore, since the operator can display the state of the solar cell 50 in a visible manner, the solar cell string S can be confirmed on the spot.

Next, functional configurations of the power supply device 2 and the photographing device 3 will be described.
[Power supply 2]
2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the power supply device 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the power supply device 2 includes an order setting unit 200, a switching unit 202, a power supply unit 204, a current detection unit 206, and a determination unit. 208, the direction changing unit 210, the determination result recording unit 212, the selection unit 214, and the notification unit 216.
The order setting unit 200 is an example of an order setting unit according to the present invention.
The order setting unit 200 sets the order in which power is supplied to the solar cell string S that is electrically connected to the power supply device 2. The order setting unit 200 may set the order for supplying power to the solar cell string S based on the order set by the operator, or may set the order for the wiring cords to be connected in advance. In the present embodiment, an example in which power is supplied in the order of the solar cell strings S1 to S6 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described as a specific example.

The switching unit 202 is an example of a switching unit according to the present invention.
The switching unit 202 switches each solar cell string S that supplies power based on the order set in the order setting unit 200. For example, the switching unit 202 may open and close a circuit that can be supplied with electric power, such as a switch, or may shift the timing of supplying electric power for each circuit.
In addition, the switching unit 202 switches the solar cell string S selected by the selection unit 214 and not broken in the power generation circuit. That is, the switching unit 202 switches the solar cell string S that is not disconnected to be excited and emitted, except for the solar cell string S that is not excited and emits light in the power generation circuit included in the solar cell string S.

The power supply unit 204 is an example of a power supply unit according to the present invention.
The power supply unit 204 supplies the solar cell 50 from, for example, a storage battery (battery) or an external power source. The power supply unit 204 supplies power to a part of the solar cell 50 so that a direct current flows in a direction opposite to the current flowing when the solar cell 50 generates power. That is, the power supply unit 204 supplies power to the solar cell string S that is a part of the solar cell 50.
When supplying power at a constant voltage, the power supply unit 204 supplies, for example, power that is equal to or lower than the open-circuit voltage value of the target solar cell string S from the viewpoint of maintenance of the solar cell. Moreover, when supplying a current with a constant current, the power supply unit 204 sets the current value to, for example, a value equal to or less than the short-circuit current defined in the solar cell specifications from the viewpoint of solar cell maintenance.
In addition, when the switching unit 202 switches the solar cell string S in which the power generation circuit is not disconnected, the power supply unit 204 supplies power so that a direct current flows through the power generation circuit.

The current detection unit 206 is an example of a current detection unit according to the present invention.
The current detection unit 206 detects a current flowing through the solar cell string S when the power supply unit 204 supplies power to the solar cell string S. Specifically, the current detection unit 206 is in the same direction as the direction of current that flows when the power supply unit 204 generates power from the solar cell string S when the power supply unit 204 supplies power to the solar cell string S. The current flowing through the bypass diode circuit is detected. In addition, the current detection unit 206 is a power generation circuit that is in a direction opposite to the direction of the current that flows when the solar cell 50 is generated by the power supply unit 204 when the power supply unit 204 supplies power to the solar cell string S. The flowing current is detected.

The determination unit 208 is an example of a determination unit according to the present invention.
The determination unit 208 determines whether or not there is a disconnection based on the result detected by the current detection unit 206. Specifically, the determination unit 208 supplies a current that flows in a direction opposite to the direction of the current that flows during power generation by the current detection unit 206 when power is supplied to the solar cell string S by the power supply unit 200. Is not detected, it is determined that the power generation circuit included in the solar cell string S is disconnected. That is, the determination unit 208 determines whether or not the power generation circuit is disconnected.
Further, the determination unit 208 does not detect the current flowing in the same direction as the direction of the current flowing during power generation by the current detection unit 206 when the power supply unit 200 supplies power so that the current flows to the solar cell string S. In this case, it is determined that the bypass diode circuit included in the solar cell string S is disconnected. That is, the determination unit 208 determines whether or not the bypass diode circuit is disconnected.
The determination unit 208 records the determination results of the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit included in the solar cell string S in the determination result recording unit 212.
Moreover, the determination part 208 determines whether the disconnection determination of the solar cell string S connected to the power supply device 2 among the solar cells 50 has been completed. Specifically, the determination unit 208 determines whether or not the determination of the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit included in the solar cell string S is completed, and when the determination of the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit is completed, The switching unit 202 is switched to the untested solar cell string S.
Further, the determination unit 208 may display the determined state of the solar cell string S on the display unit 312 via the notification unit 216 and the notification unit 300 based on the determination results of the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit. (Refer FIG.7 (b)).

  The direction changing unit 210 changes the direction of the current flowing through the solar cell string S by the power supply unit 200. Specifically, the direction changing unit 210 changes the direction by switching between the same direction (bypass diode circuit) as the direction of current flowing during power generation of the solar cell string S and the opposite direction (power generation circuit) of the current flowing during power generation. To do.

  The determination result recording unit 212 records the result determined by the determination unit 208. Specifically, the determination result recording unit 212 records the determination result of the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit included in the solar cell string S (see FIG. 7A).

  Based on the determination result recorded by the determination result recording unit 212, the selection unit 214 selects at least the solar cell string S in which the power generation circuit is not disconnected.

The notification unit 216 notifies the notification unit 300 of the imaging device 2.
Specifically, the notification unit 216 notifies the notification unit 300 of the imaging device 2 that the switching unit 202 has switched the solar cell string S to which the power supply unit 204 supplies power.
In addition, the notification unit 216 causes the display unit 312 to display information on the solar cell string S selected by the selection unit 214, for example, evaluation based on the determination result recorded in the determination result recording unit 212 via the notification unit 300. (Refer FIG.7 (b)).
Further, the notification unit 216 notifies the notification unit 300 that the power supply unit 204 has supplied power to the switched solar cell string S.
Further, the notification unit 216 receives a notification from the notification unit 300 of the photographing apparatus 2. Specifically, the notification unit 216 receives notification from the imaging unit 302 via the notification unit 300 and notifies the power supply unit 204 to that effect.

[Photographing device 3]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the imaging device 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the imaging device 3 includes a notification unit 300, an imaging unit 302, an image capture unit 304, an image storage unit 306, and an image extraction unit. The unit 308, the image composition unit 310, and the display unit 312 are configured and operated.
The notification unit 300 receives a notification from the notification unit 216 of the power supply device 2. The notification unit 300 displays the solar cell string S or the evaluation switched by the switching unit 202, which is the notification received from the notification unit 216, on the display unit 312 and notifies the operator. In addition, the notification unit 300 notifies the imaging unit 302 that the solar cell string S has been switched by the switching unit 202 and causes the imaging unit 302 to perform imaging.
In this embodiment, as a method for notifying the worker, a mode of notifying the worker via the display unit 312 will be described as a specific example, but in addition, voice notification, light notification, sound notification, and the like are appropriately selected. be able to.

The imaging unit 302 is an example of an imaging unit according to the present invention.
In response to the notification from the notification unit 300, the imaging unit 302 captures an infrared image of the solar cell string S that is supplied with power to the power supply unit 204 that is a functional configuration of the power supply device 2. Specifically, the imaging unit 302 receives a notification from the notification unit 300 that the switching unit 202 has switched to the solar cell string S that is excited to emit light, and causes the camera 4 to capture the solar cell string S. At this time, the imaging unit 302 causes the power supply unit 204 to pass a current in the opposite direction (power generation circuit) to the current flowing during power generation of the solar cell string S, and captures an infrared image in synchronization with the excitation light emission of the solar cell string S. Let 4 shoot. The photographing unit 302 may be a moving image or a still image as an image to be photographed.

  The image capturing unit 304 captures an infrared image captured by the capturing unit 302. Specifically, the image capturing unit 304 captures an infrared image captured by the camera 4 from the capturing unit 302 and stores it in the image storage unit 306.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image storage table.
The image storage unit 306 stores the infrared image captured by the image capture unit 304. As illustrated in FIG. 8, for example, the image storage unit 306 stores captured infrared images in a table of captured solar cell strings S and the number of captured times. For example, the image storage unit 306 stores a captured infrared image with a shooting date and time.

The image extraction unit 310 is an example of an extraction unit according to the present invention.
The image extraction unit 310 extracts an infrared image corresponding to each of the solar cell strings S that are a plurality of portions of the solar cell 50 to which power is supplied from the infrared image captured by the imaging unit 302. Specifically, the image extraction unit 308 extracts an image including a portion of the solar cell string S that emits excitation light from the image stored by the image storage unit 306.
The image extraction unit 308 extracts the entire image photographed by the photographing unit 302 or an image of a portion of the solar cell string S that emits excitation light.

The image composition unit 310 is an example of a composition unit according to the present invention.
The image composition unit 310 synthesizes the images photographed by the photographing unit 302. Specifically, the image composition unit 310 synthesizes the first area extracted by the image extraction unit 308 and the second area in the order in which the images were captured. For example, when the first region is a first image including the solar cell string S1 that excites and emits light and the second region is the second image that includes the solar cell string S2 that excites and emits light, the image composition unit 310 The first image and the second image are combined in the order in which they were photographed, and combined to form an image in which the solar cell strings S of each portion are uniformly excited and emitted in the image.
The image composition unit 310 composes the first area and the second area so as to overlap each other. For example, the first region includes a solar cell string S1 that excites and emits light in the first region in the order of image capture, and the second region includes a solar cell string S1 that is captured at a time different from the first image. In the case of the second image, the image composition unit 310 composes the first image and the second image so as to overlap with each other in the order in which they were photographed, so that the sun in the first image and the second image By superimposing the excitation light emission of the battery string S1, the light of the excitation light emission becomes a clear image.

  The display unit 312 displays the image combined by the image combining unit 310 on the display unit 6. In addition, the display unit 312 causes the display unit 6 to display the information notified by the notification unit 300.

Next, the inspection method according to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining examination selection processing (S10) according to the present embodiment.
The power supply device 2 operates based on the examination selection process (S10) and the power supply process (S20).
First, the power supply device 2 operates based on the examination selection process (S10). In the inspection selection process (S10), it is inspected whether or not the solar cell string S is disconnected, and at least the solar cell string S in which the power generation circuit is not disconnected is selected.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, in step 100 (S100), the worker prepares to supply power so that a direct current flows through the solar cell strings S (S1 to S6). The operator connects the power supply device 2 to the current collector, and sets the order in which a direct current flows through the electrically connected solar cell string S. The order setting unit 200 sets, for example, the order in which a direct current is passed based on the order set by the operator.

In step 102 (S102), the switching unit 202 switches the solar cell strings S (S1 to S6) through which a direct current flows, based on the order set in the order setting unit 200. The power supply unit 204 supplies power so that a direct current flows to the solar cell strings S that are switched and connected by the switching unit 202.
Here, in this embodiment, since the case where the power generation circuit is determined first will be described as a specific example, the power supply unit 204 includes a solar cell string S that is a power generation circuit among the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit. Electric power is supplied in the direction opposite to the direction of current flow during power generation.

In step 104 (S104), the current detection unit 206 detects a current when the power supply unit 204 supplies power to the solar cell strings S. The determination unit 208 determines whether or not there is a disconnection based on the result detected by the current detection unit 206 when the power supply unit 200 supplies power so that a current flows through the solar cell string S. .
When the current supplied to the bypass diode circuit is detected, the determination unit 208 determines that the circuit is not disconnected. Moreover, the determination part 208 determines with having not disconnected, when the electric current supplied to the electric power generation circuit is detected.
The determination unit 208 records the determination results of the power generation circuit and bypass diode circuit included in the solar cell string S in the determination result recording unit 212.

In step 106 (S106), the determination unit 208 determines whether the determination of the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit included in the solar cell string S has been completed. The determination part 208 transfers to the process of step S108 (No: S108), when determination with a power generation circuit and a bypass diode circuit is not complete | finished.
Moreover, the determination part 208 transfers to the process of step S110 (Yes: S110), when determination with a power generation circuit and a bypass diode circuit is complete | finished.

In step 108 (S108), the direction changing unit 210 has the same direction (bypass diode circuit) as the direction of the current flowing during power generation of the solar cell string S and the direction opposite to the direction of the current flowing during power generation of the solar cell string S ( And change the power generation circuit).
Here, in this embodiment, since the power generation circuit is determined first, the bypass diode circuit is determined next.

In step 110 (S110), the determination unit 208 determines whether or not the power generation circuit and the bypass diode circuit have been determined for the solar cell string S of each portion of the solar cell 50 connected to the power supply device 2. Determine.
The determination part 208 transfers to the process of step S112 (No: S112), when determination is not completed with respect to the solar cell string S of each part. Moreover, the determination part 208 transfers to the process of step S114 (Yes: S114), when determination is completed with respect to the solar cell string S of each part.

  In step 112 (S112), the switching unit 202, based on the determination result of the determination unit 208, is a solar cell string that has not been inspected for the solar cell string S of each part connected to the power supply device 2 in the solar cell 50. Switch to S.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating recorded information and evaluation related to the determination result.
In step 114 (S114), the selection unit 214 selects the solar cell string S in which the power generation circuit of the solar cell string S is not disconnected from the determination result recorded in the determination result recording unit 212.
The notification unit 216 notifies the display unit 312 of the imaging device 3 of at least information of the selected solar cell string S by the selection unit 214. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the notification unit 216 notifies the display unit 312 of the evaluation for each solar cell string S based on the determination result recorded in the determination result recording unit 212. . Moreover, the notification part 216 notifies the solar cell string S determined to be disconnected.
In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, a case where the power generation circuits of the solar cell string S3 and the solar cell string S6 are disconnected will be described as a specific example. Therefore, the selection unit 214 in this embodiment selects the solar cell strings S1, S2, S4, and S5, and sequentially switches them.
Thus, the power supply device 2 operates based on the inspection process (S10). The power supply device 2 ends the inspection selection process (S10), and then proceeds to the power supply process (S20).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the power supply process (S20) according to the present embodiment. In the power supply process (S20), the plurality of solar cell strings S selected in the inspection selection process (S10) are excited and emitted in order.
The power supply device 2 operates based on the power supply process (S20) after completing the inspection process (S10). The power supply device 2 performs the power supply process (S20) continuously.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, in step 200 (S <b> 200), the switching unit 202 switches the selected solar cell string S based on the order set in the order setting unit 200. When switching the solar cell string S selected by the selection unit 214, the switching unit 202 performs switching after the power supply unit 204 finishes supplying power to the solar cell string S, for example.
The switching unit 202 may switch the solar cell string S selected by the selection unit 214 after receiving an operation of the remote control 2a from the operator.

  In step 202 (S202), the notification unit 216 notifies the notification unit 300 of the photographing apparatus 3 that the switching has been performed in the order set in the order setting unit 200. The display unit 312 displays information on the solar cell string S switched from the notification unit 300 on the display unit 4.

In step 204 (S204), the power supply unit 204 supplies power so that a direct current flows through the solar cell string S selected by the selection unit 214 based on the order set by the order setting unit 200. After supplying, stop supplying power.
Specifically, for example, the power supply unit 204 supplies power to the solar cell string S for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second to 10 seconds), and the notification unit 216 indicates that power is being supplied. The notification unit 300 of the imaging device 2 is notified. The imaging unit 302 takes a picture in response to the notification from the notification unit 300, and the notification unit 300 and the notification unit 216 notify the power supply unit 204 that the image has been taken. The power supply unit 204 stops supplying power based on the received notification.
Alternatively, the worker may start and stop the power supply of the power supply unit 204 by operating the operator's remote control 2a. Moreover, you may image | photograph when the operator is supplying electric power to the solar cell string S. FIG.
In this way, the power supply device 2 operates based on the power supply process (S20), and performs this process continuously.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the image display process (S30) according to the present embodiment.
The imaging device 3 operates based on the image display process (S30).
As illustrated in FIG. 6, in step 300 (S <b> 300), the worker photographs the solar cell string S to be photographed according to the switching order of the photographing devices 3.
The notification unit 300 switches the solar cell string S based on the notification from the notification unit 216 of the power supply device 2 and notifies the imaging unit 302 that power is being supplied. Based on this notification, the camera 4 is caused to photograph the solar cell string S that is supplied with electric power and emits excitation light. At this time, based on the notification from the notification unit 216 of the power supply device 2, the notification unit 300 notifies the display unit 312 of the determination result recording information (FIG. 7B) of the solar cell string S to be imaged. Also good.
The notification unit 300 notifies the power supply unit 204 via the notification unit 216 that the image has been captured by the imaging unit 302.

  In step 302 (S302), the image capturing unit 304 captures the infrared image of the solar cell string S photographed by the camera 4 by the photographing unit 302 into the image storage unit 306.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image storage table.
In step 304 (S304), the image storage unit 306 stores the infrared image captured by the image capture unit 304. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the image storage unit 306 stores an image in association with the date and time of photographing in a table of the photographed solar cell string S and the number of photographing times.

  In step 306 (S306), the image extraction unit 308 extracts an image to be synthesized from the images stored by the image storage unit 306. The image extraction unit 308 extracts an image including a portion that emits excitation light from images corresponding to the plurality of portions of the solar cell 50. The image extraction unit 308 extracts the entire image photographed by the photographing unit 302 or an image of a portion of the solar cell string S that emits excitation light.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the infrared image of each solar cell string S is combined with an image that is uniformly excited and emitted.
FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the synthesis of an infrared image that sharpens the excitation luminescence phenomenon.
9 and 10 are schematically illustrated for explaining the synthesis of the infrared image.
In step 308 (S308), as illustrated in FIG. 8, the image composition unit 310 synthesizes the images extracted by the image extraction unit 308.
The image composition unit 310 performs composition A as composition of images in which the plurality of solar cell strings S are uniformly excited and emitted. For example, when paying attention to the synthesis A1, the image synthesis unit 310 synthesizes the infrared images of the different solar cell strings S1, S2, S4, and S5 extracted by the image extraction unit 308 for the first time in the order of shooting. Then, a plurality of solar cell strings S are synthesized into an image in which excitation light is emitted uniformly in the image. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the image synthesis unit 310 synthesizes an image in which a plurality of solar cell strings S are uniformly excited based on the infrared images of the solar cell strings (S1, S2, S4, and S5). To do.
In addition, the image composition unit 310 performs composition B in which infrared images of the same solar cell string S are superimposed. For example, paying attention to the synthesis B1 and B4, the image synthesis unit 310 superimposes the infrared images of the same solar cell string S extracted by the image extraction unit 308 and synthesizes the images. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the image composition unit 310 synthesizes the infrared images of the same solar cell string S (S1 and S4) so as to overlap each other, thereby clarifying the faint light emitted by excitation. As described above, the image composition unit 310 synthesizes an image that emits excitation light uniformly and clearly displays the light emitted by excitation.
In addition, the image composition unit 310 synthesizes the infrared image of the moving image and the infrared image extracted by the image extraction unit 208 when the infrared image captured by the image capturing unit 304 is an infrared image of the moving image. May be.
Further, the image composition unit 310 may store the synthesized image in a predetermined location.

In step 310 (S310), the display unit 312 causes the display unit 6 to display the image combined by the image combining unit 310. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the display unit 312 displays an image that uniformly emits excitation light with clear excitation light emission.
Thus, the imaging device 3 operates based on the image display process (S20) and performs continuously.

As described above, according to the present invention, the inspection system 1 reduces power supplied to the solar cell by supplying power to each part of the solar cell and switching the solar cell, not the entire solar cell. Therefore, the power supply can be downsized.
In addition, the inspection system 1 shoots a part of the solar cell by exciting light emission while the solar cell to be inspected is installed, and synthesizes infrared images of the solar cells taken for each part. Thus, it is possible to synthesize excitation luminescence light and to synthesize an image in which the solar cells in each portion are uniformly excited and emitted. Therefore, the operator can focus on the solar cell that needs to be inspected based on the image taken on the spot.
Furthermore, since the power is supplied by switching the solar cell string S before exciting light emission, the power supply of the power supply device 2 can be reduced.
In addition, the inspection system 1 can be inspected without removing a solar cell installed at a predetermined position by configuring the imaging device 3 to a size that allows the photographing apparatus 3 to be carried.
As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, it is not limited to these, A various change, addition, etc. are possible within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention.

[Modification 1]
In the embodiment, a case has been described in which imaging is performed by paying attention to each solar cell string S and a plurality of solar cell strings S are synthesized into an image that is uniformly excited and emitted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the first modification, for example, the camera 4 is installed and photographed at a position where at least the entire solar cell string S electrically connected to the power supply device 2 can be photographed.
The image synthesis unit 310 may synthesize an infrared image obtained by photographing the entire solar cell string S including the solar cell string S that is excited and emits light by being supplied with power in the order in which the image was taken.
Further, the image composition unit 310 may sequentially compose an infrared image obtained by photographing the entire solar cell string S and an infrared image obtained by extracting a portion that is supplied with power from the solar cell string S and emits excitation light. In this way, an image that uniformly emits and emits light from the solar cell string S that emits and emits light is synthesized.

[Modification 2]
For example, the camera 4 may include an accelerometer that is a sensor that can measure the distance moved. Since the image capturing apparatus 2 includes the accelerometer, the image displayed on the display unit 312 moves in conjunction with the movement of the camera 4, so that an image at a position corresponding to the place where the operator views is displayed. Can do. In addition, the photographing apparatus 2 may be configured such that the photographing unit 302 causes the camera 4 to photograph when the movement distance of the camera 4 exceeds a predetermined movement amount.

[Modification 3]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the inspection system 1 according to the third modification.
In Modification 3, a case where the light emitting device 30 is installed in the solar cell string S will be described.
The light emitting device 30 is an example of a light emitting unit according to the present invention.
The inspection system 1 further includes a light emitting device 30, and the light emitting device 30 is installed in each of the plurality of solar cell strings S, for example. The light emitting device 30 supplies power to the solar cell string S that is supplied with power when the power supply unit 204 supplies power to the solar cell string S so that a direct current flows in a direction opposite to the direction in which current flows during power generation. The corresponding light emitting device 30 emits light.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the wirings A to F are connected to the solar cell string S. Here, Modification 3 will be described as a case where it is not known which solar cell string S corresponds to the wirings A to F.
In the inspection system 1, the light emitting devices 30 are installed so as to correspond to the respective solar cell strings S. The operator operates the remote controller 2a to instruct the power supply device 2 to supply power to the wiring B, for example. The power supply device 2 supplies power to the wiring B, and the light emitting device 30 corresponding to the solar cell string S to which power is supplied emits light. For example, power is supplied to the solar cell string S1, and the installed light emitting device 30 emits light. The operator can specify that the arrangement position of the solar cell string S1 to which power is supplied and the wiring corresponding to the solar cell string S1 are the wiring B while viewing the image displayed on the display unit 6. .
Thus, the inspection system 1 installs the light emitting device 30 in each of the plurality of solar cell strings S, and causes the light emitting device 30 of the solar cell string S to which power is supplied to emit light, thereby providing power to the operator. Since the arrangement position, the wiring, and the terminal regarding the solar cell string S that supplies the power can be shown, it is effective for a solar cell whose wiring and circuit are unknown. Moreover, the operator can grasp | ascertain the circuit of the solar cell 50 only by seeing an image, if once performed.
In addition, the light emitting device 30 may emit light so as to include an infrared region in order to be photographed by the camera 4, and the inspection system 1 synthesizes an infrared image including the light of the light emitting device 30 by the image composition unit 310. The light source 30 may be used as a reference point for synthesizing the light.

[Modification 4]
In Modification 4, a case will be described in which the inspection system 1 further includes a comparison unit 324 that compares infrared images.
The comparison unit 324 is an example of a comparison unit according to the present invention.
The comparison unit 324 compares the infrared image captured this time with the previously captured infrared image, and specifies the corresponding partial change amount or the change amount of the variation degree of each portion in the solar cell. Specifically, the comparison unit 324 compares, for example, a solar cell module or a solar cell included in the solar cell string S as a corresponding part of the captured infrared image, and determines whether the brightness is reduced. Identify the amount of change.
Further, the comparison unit 324 calculates a variance value of brightness as the degree of variation of each part, and specifies the amount of change in the calculated variance value. The operator can confirm the degree of decrease in the power generation capability of the photographed solar cell based on the amount of change in the dispersion value.
As described above, the inspection system 1 has an influence even when the excitation light emission of the solar cell 50 is affected by the temperature at the time of photographing or the contamination of the surface of the solar cell 50 by specifying the variation amount of the dispersion value. Can be compared. Moreover, the inspection system 1 can confirm the secular change of the solar cell 50 by comparing using the imaged infrared image.

[Modification 5]
In the embodiment, the case where power is supplied to the solar cell string S using the power supply device 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the modified example 5, the case where the power supply device 2 is the power conditioner 20 will be described.
The power conditioner 20 is electrically connected to each of the plurality of solar cell strings S through wiring.
The power conditioner 20 supplies the electric power generated by each solar cell string S so that a direct current flows again to each solar cell string S via the wiring, thereby generating power included in the solar cell string S. Circuits and bypass diode circuits can be diagnosed. Further, the power conditioner 20 supplies power to the solar cell string S so that the electric power generated by the solar cell string S flows through the wiring in a direction opposite to the direction of current flow during power generation. The power generation circuit included in the string S can be excited to emit light.
As described above, the power conditioner 20 supplies the power generated by the solar cell string S to the solar cell string S again, so that the solar cell string S can be excited to emit light without requiring an external power source or the like. . Moreover, since the power conditioner 20 supplies the electric power generated by the solar cell string S to the solar cell string S as it is, the power conditioner 20 can supply the electric power to the solar cell string S without converting from AC to DC.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inspection system 2 Power supply device 3 Inspection device 4 Camera 6 Display part 8 Illumination part 10 Control part 50 Solar cell S Solar cell string [Power supply device 2]
200 Order setting unit 202 Switching unit 204 Power supply unit 206 Current detection unit 208 Judgment unit 210 Direction change unit 212 Judgment result recording unit 214 Selection unit 216 Notification unit [Photographing device 3]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 Notification part 302 Image | photographing part 304 Image capture part 306 Image storage part 308 Image extraction part 310 Image composition part 312 Display part

Claims (12)

An inspection system including a power supply device that supplies power to a solar cell and a photographing device that photographs the solar cell,
The power supply device
Power supply means for supplying power to a part of the solar cell so that a direct current flows in the opposite direction to the current flowing during power generation of the solar cell;
For each part, order setting means for setting the order of supplying power to the solar cell by the power supply means,
Switching means for switching the solar cell that supplies power by the power supply means based on the order set by the order setting means;
The imaging device
Photographing means for photographing the solar cell;
An inspection system comprising: display means for displaying an image photographed by the photographing means. A plurality of light emitting means installed at a plurality of positions of the solar cell;
The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein each of the light emitting units emits light according to a position of a solar cell to which power is supplied by the power supply unit. The comparison unit according to claim 2, further comprising a comparison unit that compares an image captured this time with an image previously captured and identifies a corresponding partial change amount or a variation amount of a variation degree of each part in a solar cell. The inspection system described. Power supply means for supplying power to a part of the solar cell so that a direct current flows in the opposite direction to the current flowing during power generation of the solar cell;
For each part, order setting means for setting the order of supplying power to the solar cell by the power supply means,
A power supply apparatus comprising: switching means for switching the solar cell that supplies power by the power supply means based on the order set by the order setting means. Detection means for detecting current when power is supplied to the solar cell by the power supply means;
A determination means for determining whether or not a disconnection is made based on a result detected by the detection means when power is supplied to the solar cell by the power supply means; and
The determination means determines that the current is not detected when the detection means is disconnected,
The power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the switching unit switches the solar cell that is determined not to be disconnected by the determination unit. The power supply device is a power conditioner that converts electric power generated by a solar cell,
The power supply means supplies power so that a direct current flows in a direction opposite to a current flowing during power generation of the solar cell through a wiring electrically connecting each of the plurality of portions of the solar cell and the power conditioner. The power supply device according to claim 5. An imaging means for capturing an infrared image of the solar cell in which power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of portions of the solar cell;
Extraction means for extracting infrared images corresponding to each of the plurality of portions of the solar cell to which power is supplied from the image photographed by the photographing means;
A photographing apparatus comprising: a combining unit that combines the images extracted by the extracting unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the synthesizing unit synthesizes the first region extracted by the extracting unit and the second region in the order of photographing. The photographing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the synthesizing unit synthesizes the first region extracted by the extracting unit and the second region so as to overlap each other. It further has illumination means for irradiating light from which at least the infrared region is removed,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the photographing unit photographs an image of only an infrared region. Further comprising switching instruction means for instructing switching of the solar cell to which power is supplied from the power supply device,
The photographing unit photographs the solar cells in the order switched by the switching instruction unit.

The imaging device according to claim 10. Electrically connecting the solar cell and the power supply device so as to supply power to each of a plurality of portions of the solar cell, and supplying power to cause a direct current to flow through the first portion of the solar cell;
Photographing the first portion supplied with power;
Switching the supply destination of the power supply device from the first part to the second part;
A step of photographing the second portion of the solar cell supplied with electric power.

Images