JP-7855537-B2 - Solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method

Inventors

• 中島 弘達
• 星 岳志
• 高田 光則
• 向野 隆
• 川端 俊一
• 上田 紘司
• 笹川 憲二
• 高久 歴

Assignees

• 株式会社東芝
• 東芝エネルギーシステムズ株式会社

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20230221

Claims (7)

1. A solar power generation system inspection device for photographing the underside of a solar power generation panel, on the side opposite to the side that is irradiated by sunlight, A flying mobile mechanism that flies above the passage between the aforementioned solar power generation panels, A camera for photographing the lower side of the aforementioned panel, A field of view adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the aforementioned imaging device, A connecting portion extending downward from the aforementioned flight movement mechanism, connecting the aforementioned flight movement mechanism and the aforementioned field of view adjustment mechanism, and positioning the shooting device at a height that allows it to photograph the lower side of the panel, A position acquisition mechanism for acquiring the position of the flight movement mechanism or the imaging device, A height control mechanism for maintaining the aforementioned imaging device at a constant height above the ground, It is equipped with , The aforementioned connecting part is of variable length, The height control mechanism is, A height measuring mechanism is installed at the same level as the aforementioned imaging device, A length changing mechanism that changes the length of the connecting part based on the height above measured by the height measuring mechanism, A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by having the following features.
2. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1 , A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by having an image acquisition mechanism that simultaneously or individually acquires images with different wavelength ranges of light.
3. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1 , A solar power generation system inspection device characterized in that the flying mobile mechanism is equipped with an inspection mechanism for simultaneously inspecting the upper surface of the solar power generation panel.
4. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1 , A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by being equipped with one or more sensors from among odor sensors, non-contact thermometers, laser rangefinders, laser vibrometers, audible microphones, and ultrasonic sensors.
5. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1 , A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by comprising a data determination device that stores data acquired by the aforementioned imaging device and determines whether the inspection location is normal or abnormal.
6. A solar power generation system inspection device according to claim 1 , A solar power generation system inspection device characterized by being equipped with a communication device that connects to a network and transmits acquired data.
7. A method for inspecting a solar power generation system, for photographing the underside of a solar power generation panel opposite to the side that is irradiated by sunlight, A flying mobile mechanism that flies above the passage between the aforementioned solar power generation panels, A camera for photographing the lower side of the aforementioned panel, A field of view adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the aforementioned imaging device, A connecting portion extending downward from the aforementioned flight movement mechanism, connecting the aforementioned flight movement mechanism and the aforementioned field of view adjustment mechanism, and positioning the shooting device at a height that allows it to photograph the lower side of the panel, A position acquisition mechanism for acquiring the position of the flight movement mechanism or the imaging device, A height control mechanism for maintaining the aforementioned imaging device at a constant height above the ground, It is equipped with , The aforementioned connecting part is of variable length, The height control mechanism is, A height measuring mechanism is installed at the same level as the aforementioned imaging device, A length changing mechanism that changes the length of the connecting part based on the height above measured by the height measuring mechanism, A method for inspecting a solar power generation system, characterized by using a solar power generation system inspection device having the following features.

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method. The operation and maintenance of solar power generation systems are increasingly demanding automation and unmanned operation through automated inspection devices, due to the increasing severity of natural disasters in recent years and concerns about a future shortage of electrical safety personnel. In particular, large-scale solar power plants with an output exceeding 1 MW, known as mega-solar, require efficient inspection of solar panels installed on vast sites with diverse environmental conditions. Furthermore, solar panels may be installed in underwater locations such as reservoirs, mountainous areas, overgrown areas, and heavy snowfall regions, demanding inspection techniques robust to these various environments. While inspection devices and methods for solar power generation panels using drones and other mobile aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2), these conventional methods are limited to inspecting the integrity of the upper surface of the solar power generation panel, i.e., the surface exposed to sunlight. Inspection methods for the lower part of the solar power generation panel have not been shown. Detecting abnormalities such as deterioration or burnt-out back panels, deterioration or burnt-out junction boxes, rust on mounting frames, loose fixing bolts, broken cables, disconnected ground wires, and insect nests on the underside of solar power generation systems is crucial in the maintenance and inspection of solar power generation systems. Neglecting these issues can lead to reduced power generation, a shortened overall system lifespan, and damage from natural disasters. Furthermore, with the potential for increased adoption of bifacial solar panels, the need for inspection of the underside of solar power generation panels is expected to increase even further. While inspection devices and methods for the underside of solar power generation panels have been proposed (e.g., Patent Documents 3 and 4), these methods utilize ground-based inspection systems and are limited to inspections of solar power generation panels in favorable installation environments. Furthermore, attempting to photograph the underside of solar panels using a UAV would require the UAV to fly at a low altitude of approximately 1 meter or less. This raises safety concerns, including issues with the UAV's flight stability and the possibility of contact with the solar panels. Patent No. 5197642Patent No. 6970317Patent No. 7118234Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-177417 A schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of a solar power generation system inspection device according to the first embodiment.A schematic diagram showing a modified configuration of a solar power generation system inspection device according to the first embodiment.A schematic diagram showing the configuration of another modified example of the solar power generation system inspection device according to the first embodiment.A schematic diagram showing the configuration of another modified example of the solar power generation system inspection device according to the first embodiment.A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a solar power generation system inspection device according to the second embodiment.A diagram illustrating an example of data communication content in the second embodiment. The following describes the solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method according to the embodiment, with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) Figures 1 and 2 schematically show the general configuration of a solar power generation system inspection device and inspection method according to the first embodiment. As mentioned above, the present invention aims to reduce manpower and automate the maintenance and inspection of solar power generation systems. The basic configuration is shown in Figure 1, and the configuration in which the flight position and flight height are controlled by a device near the imaging device is shown in Figure 2. For example, in a large-scale solar power generation system called a mega solar, numerous solar panels are installed. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the solar panel to be inspected, 1, and the adjacent solar panel 2 are arranged separated by a passageway 3. In this embodiment, to enable observation and inspection from the side opposite to the surface of solar panel 1 that is directly exposed to sunlight, i.e., from below solar panel 1, the basic configuration consists of an inspection device 10 that flies above the passageway 3 between solar panels 1 and 2. The inspection device 10 comprises a flight movement mechanism 11 that flies above the passageway 3, a photography device 12 that photographs the underside of the solar power generation panel 1, a field-of-view adjustment mechanism 13 for directing the photo