Enphase Energy, Inc.
Method and apparatus for determining key performance photovoltaic characteristics using sensors from module-level power electronics

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for using MLPE data for characterizing real-world operation a PV module. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a plurality of temperature measurements, wherein each temperature measurement is a measure, by an MLPE proximate to a PV module, of temperature; obtaining a plurality of DC voltage measurements, wherein each DC voltage measurement of the plurality of DC voltage measurements is a measure by the MLPE of a DC voltage of the PV module; obtaining a plurality of DC current measurements, wherein each DC current measurement of the plurality of DC voltage measurements is a measure by the MLPE of a DC current of the PV module; obtaining racking design information with respect to the PV module; and determining a plurality of PV module temperatures for the PV module based on the plurality of temperature measurements and the racking design information.