The operating efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) plants can be improved if damaged or degraded modules can be detected and identified. Currently, string-level power electronics can detect problems with modules or cabling but not locate them, which would facilitate addressing these issues. Here, we investigate the ability of spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) to both detect and locate/identify damaged cells and modules within a series-connected PV string. We tested the ability of SSTDR to detect and locate single-cell mini-modules and full-sized PV modules, which were intentionally damaged by impacts with a hammer (breaking the glass and damaging the silicon below) or by cutting through some or all busbars. Damage to the glass and silicon of cells was detected and located within a small string of minimodules. Busbar damage was detectable only if an open was created by cutting through all intercell busbars. Physical impact damage to the glass and silicon of a full-sized PV module could be detected, but further development of signal processing is needed to achieve localization of such damaged modules within a string.

中文翻译：

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使用扩频时域反射法检测和定位损坏的光伏电池和模块

如果可以检测和识别损坏或退化的模块，则可以提高光伏 (PV) 发电厂的运行效率。目前，串级电力电子设备可以检测模块或布线的问题，但无法定位它们，这将有助于解决这些问题。在这里，我们研究了扩频时域反射计 (SSTDR) 检测和定位/识别串联 PV 串中损坏的电池和模块的能力。我们测试了 SSTDR 检测和定位单电池微型模块和全尺寸光伏模块的能力，这些模块被锤子撞击（打破玻璃并损坏下面的硅）或通过切割部分或全部母线而故意损坏. 检测到电池的玻璃和硅损坏，并位于一小串微型模块内。只有当通过切断所有单元间母线造成开路时，才能检测到母线损坏。可以检测到全尺寸 PV 模块的玻璃和硅的物理撞击损坏，但需要进一步开发信号处理以实现对这些损坏模块在串内的定位。