> Quick answer: To diagnose a failing solar lamp system, measure the panel’s open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current (Isc) with a multimeter and clamp meter respectively [1]. Monitor battery health through charge/discharge cycles, voltage, and temperature trends. However, sources do not specify precise failure thresholds.
Diagnosing a failing solar lamp system can be crucial for maintaining optimal performance in Romania. By measuring the panel’s output (Voc, Isc) and assessing the battery’s remaining capacity, you can pinpoint issues before they escalate.
How to Measure Panel Output (Voc, Isc)
To measure a solar panel’s open-circuit voltage (Voc), use a multimeter connected to the positive and negative terminals while ensuring no load is present [1]. Voc reflects the maximum voltage under standard test conditions (STC) of 1,000 W/m² irradiance, AM 1.5 spectrum, and 25 °C module temperature [19][20].
Short-circuit current (Isc), which indicates the panel’s maximum current delivery capacity, is measured using a clamp meter around the wire connected to the panel’s output without breaking the circuit [1]. This ensures that you can accurately compare individual panels in a string and identify any with abnormally low currents.
Understanding Battery Health
Battery health can be inferred by monitoring charge and discharge cycles, voltage, and temperature. A battery detection unit records electric quantity differences during each cycle to calculate charging and discharging coefficients [3]. The residual life is determined by multiplying the service time by these coefficients and subtracting from the preset battery life.
Controllers in solar lamp systems continuously monitor battery voltage and temperature, helping to assess health and improve performance [7][11][13][15][17]. Temperature significantly affects battery longevity, so consistent monitoring is crucial [7][11][13][15][17].
Advanced Diagnostic Methods
Some patents suggest using LED light sources to measure panel quality by comparing current vs. voltage output under one sun intensity [2][4]. This method can trigger alerts if performance falls below standard but is more suited for laboratory or factory testing.
Battery diagnostics may involve detecting voltage differences between internal cell groups, though this requires specialized tools and knowledge [5][9].
System-Level Monitoring
Controllers in solar lamps manage battery charging and discharging, automatically disconnecting the panel or bypassing output terminals when faults like arcs or ground faults are detected [10]. This built-in feature helps buyers monitor system performance without manual testing.
Key Takeaways
- Use a multimeter to measure Voc and a clamp meter for Isc.
- Monitor battery health through charge/discharge cycles, voltage, and temperature trends.
- Controllers in solar lamps perform self-diagnostic functions that can alert users to potential issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
„`json
[
{
„q”: „What are standard test conditions (STC) for measuring panel output?”,
„a”: „Standard test conditions (STC) include 1,000 W/m² irradiance, AM 1.5 spectrum, and 25 °C module temperature [19][20].”
},
{
„q”: „How does a battery detection unit estimate residual life?”,
„a”: „A battery detection unit records electric quantity differences during each cycle to calculate charging and discharging coefficients and then multiplies the service time by these coefficients to determine residual life [3].”
},
{
„q”: „What do system-level controllers monitor in solar lamps?”,
„a”: „System-level controllers continuously monitor voltage, current, temperature, and other parameters for faults like arcs or ground faults [10]. They disconnect the panel or bypass output terminals if necessary.”
}
]
„`
References
- [1] Solar_Power_Edge__Clamp_Meter_Basics_in_5_Minutes_For_DIY_Solar_Power_More_-_affordable_and_accura__gqTZ-K_NaAo — youtube
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you cannot tell by looking at a string of solar panels how much current each panel is producing but the knowledge is quickly gained by simply clamping each wire from each solar panel individually and notating how much current is flowing through if one of these solar panels has an abnormally low current reading then you know you need to take a look at that specific panel to see what's wrong with it even in a larger solar array this is a quick and easy way to check individual panels to see how they are performing you don't have to unplug them or make any electrical connections whatsoever here I comparing the meter with two other amp meters including a clamp on meter as well as a coolum counting amp meter with a shunt as you can see the readings are really quite close a clamp-on or inductive amp meter is never going to be as accurate as a shunt based meter but it's very very close and so that makes it useful for all kinds of work voltage measurement to measure voltage simply plug the probes into the positive and negative sockets then turn the dial to the the correct range you can easily measure low DC voltage such as 5 or 12 volts or even the output of a solar panel by simply touching the probes to the positive and negative terminals of the output here I use my benchtop power supply to check the accuracy of the voltage measurement my power supply is already known to be quite accurate the voltage readings on the Aang meter were within 0.01 volts or less of my benchtop Supply so i
- [2] US8736272B2_-_Adjustable_spectrum_LED_solar_-_Google_Patents__04721b76 — patent
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provided to the LEDs to illuminate the solar cell or solar panel under test 200 , typically for 100 ms of discharge and 10 seconds of recharge. – the current vs. voltage output of the solar panel at the time is then measured to determine the solar panel's characteristics and quality. – the system according to this invention may monitor its sensor system 202 and compare the aggregate LED intensity performance to a predetermined norm 204 , such as a desired fraction of the intensity of one sun. If that standard is not met an alert may be provided of an actual failure or of a failure trend, so that the power may be adjusted as necessary or LEDs or sub-blocks of LEDs may be replaced. – the system no longer operates as an optically closed loop; instead the LED-string current sense signals 118 are now used to slave the LED serial string current drivers 102 to predetermined either constant values or stored waveforms 96 , as determined by the desired degree of spectral conformity with the ASTM standard. – the totalized signals of the photodiode sensors 28 of e.g. a quarter tile, can be used to monitor the total light intensity produced by the quarter tile. Landscapes – Physics & Mathematics (AREA) – General Physics & Mathematics (AREA) – Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA) – Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA) – Sustainable Development (AREA) – Engineering & Computer Science (AREA) – General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA) – Optics & Photonics (AREA) – Circuit Arrangement
- [3] CN117955218A_-_MPPT-based_solar_street_lamp_control_system__d7f0e078 — patent
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unit can detect the residual life and the maximum capacity of the energy storage battery, and sends detection results of the battery life and the maximum capacity to the central control unit, the battery detection unit accumulates the service time and the charging and discharging coefficient of the battery, the battery detection unit obtains the residual life of the battery through the product of the service time of the battery and the charging and discharging coefficient as battery consumption time and the difference value of the preset life of the battery and the battery consumption time, predicts the service life of the battery in the solar street lamp, and is convenient for management personnel to maintain and prepare the battery in the street lamp in advance; the step of the battery detection unit obtaining the charge and discharge coefficient is as follows: s1: the battery detection unit acquires the current electric quantity of the battery when each charging is started, and records the difference value of the electric quantity of the battery and the battery as a charging quantity when each charging is ended; S2: the battery detection unit acquires the current electric quantity of the battery when each discharge starts, acquires the current electric quantity of the battery when each discharge ends, and records the difference value of the electric quantity of the battery twice as the discharge quantity; s3: the battery detection unit records the charge amount as K, the d
- [4] US8736272B2_-_Adjustable_spectrum_LED_solar_-_Google_Patents__04721b76 — patent
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the solar panel at the time is then measured to determine the solar panel's characteristics and quality. At the same time the system according to this invention may monitor its sensor system 202 and compare the aggregate LED intensity performance to a predetermined norm 204, such as a desired fraction of the intensity of one sun. If that standard is not met an alert may be provided of an actual failure or of a failure trend, so that the power may be adjusted as necessary or LEDs or sub-blocks of LEDs may be replaced. In the run mode the system no longer operates as an optically closed loop; instead the LED-string current sense signals 118 are now used to slave the LED serial string current drivers 102 to predetermined either constant values or stored waveforms 96, as determined by the desired degree of spectral conformity with the ASTM standard. The totalized signals of the photodiode sensors 28 of e.g. a quarter tile, can be used to monitor the total light intensity produced by the quarter tile. Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the
- [5] US6313751B1_-_Battery_failure_indicator_for_a_single_-_Google_Patents__1a23999b — patent
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and legend depending on the market requirements. – FIGS. 6, 7 , 8 and 9 several industry standard network interfaces are shown. A multitude of different protocols could be implemented with the optical networks shown. – the control unit shown in different forms could contain additional communication processors and related circuits to enable communication with a variety of devices. In many instances, the functions of the control units shown exist in other equipment and the networks 228 , 232 , 254 can be directly connected. Landscapes – Engineering & Computer Science (AREA) – Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA) – Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA) – Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA) – Electrochemistry (AREA) – General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA) – Business, Economics & Management (AREA) – Emergency Management (AREA) – Physics & Mathematics (AREA) – General Physics & Mathematics (AREA) – Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA) – Sustainable Development (AREA) – Sustainable Energy (AREA) – Power Engineering (AREA) – Transportation (AREA) – Mechanical Engineering (AREA) – Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA) Abstract A modification to existing mono-block battery design for positively indicating the operating condition of the battery by adding a failure detector. The voltage of two groups of internal series connected cells are measured and compared. An indicator of one color indicates the battery is operating normally and an indicator of a contrasti
- [7] US20090040750A1_-_Solar-powered_light_pole_and_led_light__9ba7fce7 — patent
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during the day, and then receiving less expensive power from the grid during the night and/or also receiving power from the batteries as a supplemental/backup power source. – connection to the grid is shown schematically as G 1 (underground) or G 2 (above-ground) and one of skill in the art will understand how to build, install, and manage said connections. – G 1 underground – G 2 above-ground – an inverter and control and measurement systems G 3 in FIG. 18 – an inverter and control and measurement systems will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. – Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. – Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example, control board 80 shown in FIG. 7 . – the controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. – Said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. – the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance,
- [9] US6313751B1_-_Battery_failure_indicator_for_a_single_-_Google_Patents__1a23999b — patent
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with specific embodiments for the purpose of clear and concise, disclosure one skilled in the art could make modifications within the basic teachings of the invention. For example, the LCD elements in FIG. 3 could be varied in size, shape, color and legend depending on the market requirements. In FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 several industry standard network interfaces are shown. A multitude of different protocols could be implemented with the optical networks shown. The control unit shown in different forms could contain additional communication processors and related circuits to enable communication with a variety of devices. In many instances, the functions of the control units shown exist in other equipment and the networks 228, 232, 254 can be directly connected. Claims (3) 1. A system for monitoring the condition of a single electrical battery and providing warning of possible battery failure, said system comprising: means for penetrating the exterior enclosure of said battery so as to connect electrical wires to the internal battery electrical conductors, means for connecting a plurality of said internal battery conductors to said monitoring system, means for detecting the difference in the magnitude of the voltage of a first group of cells in said battery and a second group of cells in said battery, said voltage difference detecting means comprising a multiplicity of voltage dividers, each of said voltage dividers connected between at least one cell of said electrical battery
- [10] US9923516B2_-_Photovoltaic_panel_circuitry_-_Google_Patents__c7e002b8 — patent
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the input terminals and the output terminals to activate the switch and to disconnect thereby the photovoltaic panel from at least one of the output terminals and to bypass the output terminals upon detecting at least one of multiple malfunctions. The malfunctions monitored by the controller may include: an arc, a potential theft, a ground fault or a monitored parameter fault. The detection of the arc may be in the photovoltaic module or in the vicinity of the photovoltaic module. The disconnection of the photovoltaic panel from the at least one output terminal may be responsive to eliminate the arc. The potential theft of the photovoltaic module and the disconnection of the photovoltaic panel from the at least one output terminal may render the photovoltaic module inoperable outside the photovoltaic solar power harvesting system. The detection of a ground fault and in response the disconnection of the photovoltaic panel from the output terminal may eliminate the ground fault. The monitored parameter fault detected may be voltage, current and/or temperature. One or more of the monitored parameters may be out of a previously specified value range, the photovoltaic panel which not behaving according to specification is disconnected and the output terminals are bypassed. The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Reference will now be made in detail to features of the present invention, examples of which are i
- [11] US7731383B2_-_Solar-powered_light_pole_and_LED_light_fixture__4dec276e — patent
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preferably also charging batteries during the day, and then receiving less expensive power from the grid during the night and/or also receiving power from the batteries as a supplemental/backup power source. – connection to the grid is shown schematically as G 1 (underground) or G 2 (above-ground) and one of skill in the art will understand how to build, install, and manage said connections. – G 1 underground – G 2 above-ground – an inverter and control and measurement systems G 3 in FIG. 18 – an inverter and control and measurement systems will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. – Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. – Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example, control board 80 shown in FIG. 7 . – the controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. – Said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. – the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit lo
- [13] US20090040750A1_-_Solar-powered_light_pole_and_led_light__9ba7fce7 — patent
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of skill in the art will understand how to build, install, and manage said connections. Such a grid-tied embodiment that also has battery storage capability may provide the benefit of supplementing the grid during peak electricity-usage hours, while also being capable of being autonomous (independent of the grid) in the event of disaster or other grid outage. In such embodiments, an inverter and control and measurement systems (G3 inFIG. 18 ) will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. – Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 andpanel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and theLED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example,control board 80 shown inFIG. 7 . The controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. Said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. Combined with the preferred cooling system for managing battery temperature, the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance,
- [15] US7731383B2_-_Solar-powered_light_pole_and_LED_light_fixture__4dec276e — patent
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provide the benefit of supplementing the grid during peak electricity-usage hours, while also being capable of being autonomous (independent of the grid) in the event of disaster or other grid outage. In such embodiments, an inverter and control and measurement systems (G3 in FIG. 18 ) will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example, control board 80 shown in FIG. 7 . The controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. Said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. Combined with the preferred cooling system for managing battery temperature, the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance, than prior art batteries installed in solar-powered light systems. A first controller delivers a low-current (trickle) charge from the solar collector panel
- [17] WO2010057138A2_-_Energy-efficient_solar-powered_outdoor_lighting__593d23e6 — patent
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during peak electricity-usage hours, while also being capable of being autonomous (independent of the grid) operation in the event of disaster or other grid outage. In such embodiments, an inverter and control and measurement systems (G3 in Figure 18) will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. [0082] Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example, control board 80 shown in Figure 7. The controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. As further described later in this document, said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. Combined with the preferred cooling system for managing battery temperature, the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance, than prior art batteries installed in solar-powered light systems. [0083] A first controller function delivers a low-current (trickle) char
- [19] Photovoltaics_-_Wikipedia__8efc2b01 — wikipedia
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(VOC) ratio, and § Fill factor. Reflectance losses are accounted for by the quantum efficiency value, as they affect external quantum efficiency. Recombination losses are accounted for by these factors. Resistive losses are predominantly accounted for by the fill factor value, but also contribute to the others. Depending on construction, photovoltaic modules can produce electricity from a range of frequencies of light, but usually cannot cover the entire solar radiation range (specifically, ultraviolet, visible, infrared and low or diffused light). Hence, much of the incident sunlight energy is not processed by solar modules. Sunlight can be split into wavelength bands (each a different color), each directed onto cells tuned to those ranges that can convert that band more efficiently.[37] Module performance is generally rated under standard test conditions (STC): irradiance of 1,000 W/m2, solar spectrum of AM 1.5 and module temperature at 25 °C.[38] The actual voltage and current output of the module changes as lighting, temperature and load conditions change, so there is never one specific voltage at which the module operates. Performance varies depending on geographic location, time of day, the day of the year, amount of solar irradiance, direction and tilt of modules, cloud cover, shading, soiling, state of charge, and temperature. Performance of a module or panel can be measured at different time intervals with a DC clamp meter or shunt and logged, graphed, or charted wit
- [20] Solar_panel_-_Wikipedia__afb0eaf3 — wikipedia
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instead, including quantum efficiency, open-circuit voltage (VOC) ratio, and § Fill factor. Reflectance losses are accounted for by the quantum efficiency value, as they affect external quantum efficiency. Recombination losses are accounted for by these factors. Resistive losses are predominantly accounted for by the fill factor value, but also contribute to the others. Depending on construction, photovoltaic modules can produce electricity from a range of frequencies of light, but usually cannot cover the entire solar radiation range (specifically, ultraviolet, visible, infrared and low or diffused light). Hence, much of the incident sunlight energy is not processed by solar modules. Sunlight can be split into wavelength bands (each a different color), each directed onto cells tuned to those ranges that can convert that band more efficiently.[60] Module performance is generally rated under standard test conditions: irradiance of 1,000 W/m2, solar spectrum of AM 1.5 and module temperature at 25 °C.[61] The actual voltage and current output of the module changes as lighting, temperature and load conditions change, so there is never one specific voltage at which the module operates. Performance varies depending on geographic location, time of day, the day of the year, amount of solar irradiance, direction and tilt of modules, cloud cover, shading, soiling, state of charge, and temperature. Performance of a module or panel can be measured at different time intervals with a direc
you cannot tell by looking at a string of solar panels how much current each panel is producing but the knowledge is quickly gained by simply clamping each wire from each solar panel individually and notating how much current is flowing through if one of these solar panels has an abnormally low current reading then you know you need to take a look at that specific panel to see what's wrong with it even in a larger solar array this is a quick and easy way to check individual panels to see how they are performing you don't have to unplug them or make any electrical connections whatsoever here I comparing the meter with two other amp meters including a clamp on meter as well as a coolum counting amp meter with a shunt as you can see the readings are really quite close a clamp-on or inductive amp meter is never going to be as accurate as a shunt based meter but it's very very close and so that makes it useful for all kinds of work voltage measurement to measure voltage simply plug the probes into the positive and negative sockets then turn the dial to the the correct range you can easily measure low DC voltage such as 5 or 12 volts or even the output of a solar panel by simply touching the probes to the positive and negative terminals of the output here I use my benchtop power supply to check the accuracy of the voltage measurement my power supply is already known to be quite accurate the voltage readings on the Aang meter were within 0.01 volts or less of my benchtop Supply so i
provided to the LEDs to illuminate the solar cell or solar panel under test 200 , typically for 100 ms of discharge and 10 seconds of recharge. – the current vs. voltage output of the solar panel at the time is then measured to determine the solar panel's characteristics and quality. – the system according to this invention may monitor its sensor system 202 and compare the aggregate LED intensity performance to a predetermined norm 204 , such as a desired fraction of the intensity of one sun. If that standard is not met an alert may be provided of an actual failure or of a failure trend, so that the power may be adjusted as necessary or LEDs or sub-blocks of LEDs may be replaced. – the system no longer operates as an optically closed loop; instead the LED-string current sense signals 118 are now used to slave the LED serial string current drivers 102 to predetermined either constant values or stored waveforms 96 , as determined by the desired degree of spectral conformity with the ASTM standard. – the totalized signals of the photodiode sensors 28 of e.g. a quarter tile, can be used to monitor the total light intensity produced by the quarter tile. Landscapes – Physics & Mathematics (AREA) – General Physics & Mathematics (AREA) – Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA) – Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA) – Sustainable Development (AREA) – Engineering & Computer Science (AREA) – General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA) – Optics & Photonics (AREA) – Circuit Arrangement
unit can detect the residual life and the maximum capacity of the energy storage battery, and sends detection results of the battery life and the maximum capacity to the central control unit, the battery detection unit accumulates the service time and the charging and discharging coefficient of the battery, the battery detection unit obtains the residual life of the battery through the product of the service time of the battery and the charging and discharging coefficient as battery consumption time and the difference value of the preset life of the battery and the battery consumption time, predicts the service life of the battery in the solar street lamp, and is convenient for management personnel to maintain and prepare the battery in the street lamp in advance; the step of the battery detection unit obtaining the charge and discharge coefficient is as follows: s1: the battery detection unit acquires the current electric quantity of the battery when each charging is started, and records the difference value of the electric quantity of the battery and the battery as a charging quantity when each charging is ended; S2: the battery detection unit acquires the current electric quantity of the battery when each discharge starts, acquires the current electric quantity of the battery when each discharge ends, and records the difference value of the electric quantity of the battery twice as the discharge quantity; s3: the battery detection unit records the charge amount as K, the d
the solar panel at the time is then measured to determine the solar panel's characteristics and quality. At the same time the system according to this invention may monitor its sensor system 202 and compare the aggregate LED intensity performance to a predetermined norm 204, such as a desired fraction of the intensity of one sun. If that standard is not met an alert may be provided of an actual failure or of a failure trend, so that the power may be adjusted as necessary or LEDs or sub-blocks of LEDs may be replaced. In the run mode the system no longer operates as an optically closed loop; instead the LED-string current sense signals 118 are now used to slave the LED serial string current drivers 102 to predetermined either constant values or stored waveforms 96, as determined by the desired degree of spectral conformity with the ASTM standard. The totalized signals of the photodiode sensors 28 of e.g. a quarter tile, can be used to monitor the total light intensity produced by the quarter tile. Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the
and legend depending on the market requirements. – FIGS. 6, 7 , 8 and 9 several industry standard network interfaces are shown. A multitude of different protocols could be implemented with the optical networks shown. – the control unit shown in different forms could contain additional communication processors and related circuits to enable communication with a variety of devices. In many instances, the functions of the control units shown exist in other equipment and the networks 228 , 232 , 254 can be directly connected. Landscapes – Engineering & Computer Science (AREA) – Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA) – Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA) – Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA) – Electrochemistry (AREA) – General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA) – Business, Economics & Management (AREA) – Emergency Management (AREA) – Physics & Mathematics (AREA) – General Physics & Mathematics (AREA) – Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA) – Sustainable Development (AREA) – Sustainable Energy (AREA) – Power Engineering (AREA) – Transportation (AREA) – Mechanical Engineering (AREA) – Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA) Abstract A modification to existing mono-block battery design for positively indicating the operating condition of the battery by adding a failure detector. The voltage of two groups of internal series connected cells are measured and compared. An indicator of one color indicates the battery is operating normally and an indicator of a contrasti
during the day, and then receiving less expensive power from the grid during the night and/or also receiving power from the batteries as a supplemental/backup power source. – connection to the grid is shown schematically as G 1 (underground) or G 2 (above-ground) and one of skill in the art will understand how to build, install, and manage said connections. – G 1 underground – G 2 above-ground – an inverter and control and measurement systems G 3 in FIG. 18 – an inverter and control and measurement systems will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. – Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. – Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example, control board 80 shown in FIG. 7 . – the controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. – Said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. – the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance,
with specific embodiments for the purpose of clear and concise, disclosure one skilled in the art could make modifications within the basic teachings of the invention. For example, the LCD elements in FIG. 3 could be varied in size, shape, color and legend depending on the market requirements. In FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 several industry standard network interfaces are shown. A multitude of different protocols could be implemented with the optical networks shown. The control unit shown in different forms could contain additional communication processors and related circuits to enable communication with a variety of devices. In many instances, the functions of the control units shown exist in other equipment and the networks 228, 232, 254 can be directly connected. Claims (3) 1. A system for monitoring the condition of a single electrical battery and providing warning of possible battery failure, said system comprising: means for penetrating the exterior enclosure of said battery so as to connect electrical wires to the internal battery electrical conductors, means for connecting a plurality of said internal battery conductors to said monitoring system, means for detecting the difference in the magnitude of the voltage of a first group of cells in said battery and a second group of cells in said battery, said voltage difference detecting means comprising a multiplicity of voltage dividers, each of said voltage dividers connected between at least one cell of said electrical battery
the input terminals and the output terminals to activate the switch and to disconnect thereby the photovoltaic panel from at least one of the output terminals and to bypass the output terminals upon detecting at least one of multiple malfunctions. The malfunctions monitored by the controller may include: an arc, a potential theft, a ground fault or a monitored parameter fault. The detection of the arc may be in the photovoltaic module or in the vicinity of the photovoltaic module. The disconnection of the photovoltaic panel from the at least one output terminal may be responsive to eliminate the arc. The potential theft of the photovoltaic module and the disconnection of the photovoltaic panel from the at least one output terminal may render the photovoltaic module inoperable outside the photovoltaic solar power harvesting system. The detection of a ground fault and in response the disconnection of the photovoltaic panel from the output terminal may eliminate the ground fault. The monitored parameter fault detected may be voltage, current and/or temperature. One or more of the monitored parameters may be out of a previously specified value range, the photovoltaic panel which not behaving according to specification is disconnected and the output terminals are bypassed. The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Reference will now be made in detail to features of the present invention, examples of which are i
preferably also charging batteries during the day, and then receiving less expensive power from the grid during the night and/or also receiving power from the batteries as a supplemental/backup power source. – connection to the grid is shown schematically as G 1 (underground) or G 2 (above-ground) and one of skill in the art will understand how to build, install, and manage said connections. – G 1 underground – G 2 above-ground – an inverter and control and measurement systems G 3 in FIG. 18 – an inverter and control and measurement systems will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. – Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. – Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example, control board 80 shown in FIG. 7 . – the controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. – Said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. – the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit lo
of skill in the art will understand how to build, install, and manage said connections. Such a grid-tied embodiment that also has battery storage capability may provide the benefit of supplementing the grid during peak electricity-usage hours, while also being capable of being autonomous (independent of the grid) in the event of disaster or other grid outage. In such embodiments, an inverter and control and measurement systems (G3 inFIG. 18 ) will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. – Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 andpanel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and theLED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example,control board 80 shown inFIG. 7 . The controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. Said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. Combined with the preferred cooling system for managing battery temperature, the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance,
provide the benefit of supplementing the grid during peak electricity-usage hours, while also being capable of being autonomous (independent of the grid) in the event of disaster or other grid outage. In such embodiments, an inverter and control and measurement systems (G3 in FIG. 18 ) will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example, control board 80 shown in FIG. 7 . The controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. Said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. Combined with the preferred cooling system for managing battery temperature, the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance, than prior art batteries installed in solar-powered light systems. A first controller delivers a low-current (trickle) charge from the solar collector panel
during peak electricity-usage hours, while also being capable of being autonomous (independent of the grid) operation in the event of disaster or other grid outage. In such embodiments, an inverter and control and measurement systems (G3 in Figure 18) will be added, for example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and measure and record the system's energy contribution to the grid. [0082] Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other components. Control of the operative connection between the batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example, control board 80 shown in Figure 7. The controller(s) preferably continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. As further described later in this document, said controller(s) preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery life. Combined with the preferred cooling system for managing battery temperature, the batteries of the preferred embodiments are expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance, than prior art batteries installed in solar-powered light systems. [0083] A first controller function delivers a low-current (trickle) char
(VOC) ratio, and § Fill factor. Reflectance losses are accounted for by the quantum efficiency value, as they affect external quantum efficiency. Recombination losses are accounted for by these factors. Resistive losses are predominantly accounted for by the fill factor value, but also contribute to the others. Depending on construction, photovoltaic modules can produce electricity from a range of frequencies of light, but usually cannot cover the entire solar radiation range (specifically, ultraviolet, visible, infrared and low or diffused light). Hence, much of the incident sunlight energy is not processed by solar modules. Sunlight can be split into wavelength bands (each a different color), each directed onto cells tuned to those ranges that can convert that band more efficiently.[37] Module performance is generally rated under standard test conditions (STC): irradiance of 1,000 W/m2, solar spectrum of AM 1.5 and module temperature at 25 °C.[38] The actual voltage and current output of the module changes as lighting, temperature and load conditions change, so there is never one specific voltage at which the module operates. Performance varies depending on geographic location, time of day, the day of the year, amount of solar irradiance, direction and tilt of modules, cloud cover, shading, soiling, state of charge, and temperature. Performance of a module or panel can be measured at different time intervals with a DC clamp meter or shunt and logged, graphed, or charted wit
instead, including quantum efficiency, open-circuit voltage (VOC) ratio, and § Fill factor. Reflectance losses are accounted for by the quantum efficiency value, as they affect external quantum efficiency. Recombination losses are accounted for by these factors. Resistive losses are predominantly accounted for by the fill factor value, but also contribute to the others. Depending on construction, photovoltaic modules can produce electricity from a range of frequencies of light, but usually cannot cover the entire solar radiation range (specifically, ultraviolet, visible, infrared and low or diffused light). Hence, much of the incident sunlight energy is not processed by solar modules. Sunlight can be split into wavelength bands (each a different color), each directed onto cells tuned to those ranges that can convert that band more efficiently.[60] Module performance is generally rated under standard test conditions: irradiance of 1,000 W/m2, solar spectrum of AM 1.5 and module temperature at 25 °C.[61] The actual voltage and current output of the module changes as lighting, temperature and load conditions change, so there is never one specific voltage at which the module operates. Performance varies depending on geographic location, time of day, the day of the year, amount of solar irradiance, direction and tilt of modules, cloud cover, shading, soiling, state of charge, and temperature. Performance of a module or panel can be measured at different time intervals with a direc