WCSE

Investigation of Module-Level Hot-Spot Suppression during Power Generation in Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract— This study proposes an adaptive control system for achieving module-level hot-spot detection and suppression during power generation in photovoltaic (PV) systems. Hot-spots form at shaded locations where low-resistance defects under reverse bias are non-uniformly heated within a short period of time. In order to detect malfunctioning modules, a scan-based distributed control system is employed in this study. The behavior of each module in a PV array is monitored via a periodic scan. In addition, alternative control patterns for hot-spot suppression and normal situations are proposed. This control system was validated by experiments using a laboratory prototype. The results indicate that the module-level hot-spot suppression is robust, allowing safe operation of the PV generation system.

Index Terms— Distributed control strategy, hot-spot phenomenon, low-resistance defects, photovoltaic (PV) generation system, safe operation.

Kazutaka Itako
Kanagawa Institute of Technology Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Zhangyin Hong
Kanagawa Institute of Technology Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Tsugutomo Kudoh
Kanagawa Institute of Technology Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Keishin Koh
Kanagawa Institute of Technology Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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Cite: Kazutaka Itako, Zhangyin Hong, Tsugutomo Kudoh, Keishin Koh, "Investigation of Module-Level Hot-Spot Suppression during Power Generation in Photovoltaic Systems," WCSE 2022 Spring Event: 2022 9th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Applications, pp. 134-141, Sanya, China, April 15-18, 2022.