Diagnostics of PV Modules Using Time Domain Reflectometry
Abstract
In photovoltaic (PV) module diagnostics, themethods most frequently used are based on measuring DC
characteristics (mainly I-V curves). In real installations, PV
modules are combined with inverters that operate on a high
frequency and are connected to a grid. With this in mind, it
can also be very useful to know certain AC parameters of
the PV modules such as impedance. The method of
examining the distribution of the impedance of the module
(such as in the case of transmission lines) is called Time
Domain Reflectometry (TDR). By a specific distribution of
the impedance, it is possible to find the location and to
determine the nature of a defect. Moreover, this method can
also be used to differentiate modules that have the same
nameplate values.
References
LUQUE, A., HEGEDUS, S. Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2003. ISBN 0-471-49196-9.
HOUGH, Tom P. Dynamic Impedance Characterization of Solar Cells and PV Modules Based on Frequency and Time Domain Analyses. Trends in solar energy research [online]. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2006, pp. 21-45 [cit. 2013-05-10]. ISBN 1-59454-866-8.
SEAPAN, Manit, Chamnan LIMSAKUL, Tasanee
CHAYAVANICH, Krissanapong KIRTIKARA, Nattavut
CHAYAVANICH and Dhirayut CHENVIDHYA. Effects of
dynamic parameters on measurements of IV curve. In: Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2008: PVSC '08. 33rd IEEE [online]. 2008 [cit. 2013-05-10]. ISBN 978-1-4244-1641-7. DOI: 10.1109/PVSC.2008.4922589. Available at:
KUMAR, R.A., M.S. SURESH and J. NAGARAJU. Measurement of AC parameters of gallium arsenide (GaAs/Ge) solar cell by impedance spectroscopy. IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices [online]. 2001, Vol. 48, no. 9, pp. 2177-2179 [cit. 2013-05-10].
ISSN 00189383. DOI: 10.1109/16.944213. Available at:
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/lpdocs/epic03/wrapper.htm?arnumber=944213
STRAUB, A., R. GEBS, H. HABENICHT, S. TRUNK, R. A.
BARDOS, A. B. SPROUL and A. G. ABERLE. Impedance
analysis: A powerful method for the determination of the doping concentration and built-in potential of nonideal semiconductor p-n diodes. Journal of Applied Physics [online]. 2005, Vol. 97, no. 8, ref. 083703 [cit. 2013-05-10]. ISSN 00218979. DOI: 10.1063/1.1868079. Available on: http://link.aip.org/link/JAPIAU/v97/i8/p083703/s1
AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, Inc. Time Domain Reflectometry Theory: Application Note 1304-2 [online]. USA, 2006, p. 16 [cit. 2013-05-10]. ISBN 5966-4855E. Available at:
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5966-4855E.pdf
Loyo Prado, M. - Černá, L.: Application of alternate methods of measurement of PV modules. [Research Report]. 2012. p. 46