Open AccessPV module behaviour on the substring level under real conditions monitored by junction box electronic device Jubomer
Author(s) -
Brecl Kristijan,
Pirc Matija,
Bokalič Matevž,
Morelj Dorijan,
Topič Marko
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iet renewable power generation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1752-1424
pISSN - 1752-1416
DOI - 10.1049/iet-rpg.2019.0156
Subject(s) - substring , photovoltaic system , voltage , computer science , electrical engineering , electronic engineering , engineering , data structure , operating system
Understanding the degradation of a photovoltaic (PV) system is crucial for predicting the behaviour of a PV system or acting quickly in case of strong PV module degradation. A novel concept with Wi‐Fi devices for monitoring the substring voltages of PV modules is presented and case studies of PV modules' substring voltages during operation of the PV system are reported on. A new electronic device called Jubomer was custom developed to fit into the junction box of a PV module and to measure the voltages of each module substring. The analysis of substring voltages shows that this methodology can reveal problematic modules without conducting a comprehensive testing procedure on disconnected PV modules. The results of the voltage measurements are also linked with the detailed analysis of a PV module using an electroluminescence imaging technique, which verifies the proposed concept.