IP Library Granted Patent US 9,217,767
Granted Patent B2
US 9,217,767 · App. 13/924,931 · Granted Dec 22, 2015

Testing method of a solar cell panel, and testing apparatus thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,217,767
App. No.
13/924,931
Granted
Dec 22, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A testing method of a solar cell panel of the present invention, includes steps of: (a) providing an ambient light with steady illumination to the surface of a solar cell panel to introduce a steady signal to its electrical output; (b) providing a modulation light to a given area of the solar cell panel to introduce a modulated signal to its electrical output corresponding to the given area; and (c) analyzing electrical output of the solar cell panel to obtain electrical properties corresponding to the given area. The testing method can test the solar cell panel efficiently, detect and locate defects accurately so that the defects can be corrected and feed back to improve manufacturing process.

Claims (33)

1. A testing method of a solar cell panel including a plurality of given areas, the method comprising:

(a) providing an ambient light with steady illumination to a whole surface of a solar cell panel to introduce a steady signal to an electrical output of the solar cell panel;

(b) providing a modulation light to each one of the plurality of given areas of the solar cell panel to introduce a modulated signal to the electrical output of the respective given area of the solar cell panel, the modulation light being provided with the ambient light synchronously; and

(c) analyzing electrical output of the solar cell panel to obtain electrical properties for each one of the plurality of given areas,

wherein step (c) further comprises:

(c1) determining the operation condition of the solar cell panel to obtain maximum rating power from the solar cell panel corresponding to the ambient light;

(c2) demodulating the modulated signal;

(c3) computing power conversion efficiency of the given area illuminated by the modulation light; and

(c4) mapping a profile of the power conversion efficiency.

2. The testing method according to claim 1 , wherein the sub-step (c1) further comprises providing an electric loading condition to the solar cell panel thereby obtain the maximum rating power.

3. The testing method according to claim 1 , wherein step (c) further comprises amplifying the modulated signal.

4. The testing method according to claim 1 , wherein intensity variation of the modulation light in time is in simple waveform or in digital format.

5. The testing method according to claim 1 , further comprising controlling the modulation light to different areas of the solar cell panel thereby scanning the solar cell panel.

6. The testing method according to claim 1 , wherein the modulation light is provided by at least one light source unit connected with a modulation controller so that the electrical output of individual modulated signal from the solar cell panel can be detected separately.

7. The testing method according to claim 1 , wherein intensity of the ambient light is at an adequate level to simulate the sunlight during solar cell panel operation.

8. The testing method according to claim 1 , wherein intensity of the modulation light is at an adequate level to be detected or demodulated.

9. The testing method according to claim 1 , further comprising correcting defects indicated from the modulated signal scanning by using a chemical or a physical method.

10. A testing apparatus of a solar cell panel including a plurality of given areas, comprising:

a first light source arranged for providing an ambient light with steady illumination to a whole surface of a solar cell panel to introduce a steady signal to an electrical output of the solar cell panel;

a second light source arranged for providing a modulation light to each one of the plurality of given areas of the solar cell panel to introduce a modulated signal to the electrical output of the respective given area of the solar cell panel, the modulation light being provided with the ambient light synchronously; and

an analyzing module arranged for analyzing electrical output of the solar cell panel to obtain electrical properties for each one of the plurality of given areas,

wherein the analyzing module comprises:

a load unit connected with the solar cell panel for adjusting the maximum rating power from the solar cell panel corresponding to the ambient light;

a demodulation circuit connected with an output terminal of the solar cell panel for detecting the modulated signal; and

a computation unit connected with the demodulation circuit for computing electrical parameters corresponding to the given area.

11. The testing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the analyzing module further comprises a V/I meter connected with the output terminals of the solar cell panel.

12. The testing apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising a rheostat connected with an output terminal of the solar cell panel, and a lock-in amplifier connected with the rheostat.

13. The testing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein intensity variation of the modulation light in time is in simple waveform or in digital format.

14. The testing apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising a movement controller to control the modulation light to irradiate different areas of the solar cell panel thereby scanning the solar cell panel.

15. The testing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the second light source comprises at least one light source unit connected with a modulation controller so that the electrical output of individual modulated signal from the solar cell panel can be detected separately.

16. The testing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein intensity of the ambient light is at an adequate level to simulate the sunlight during solar cell panel operation.

17. The testing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein intensity of the modulation light is at an adequate level to be detected or demodulated.

18. The testing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein further comprising a rectification unit for correcting defects indicated from the modulated signal scanning by using a chemical or a physical method.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2025
From: LUMENTUM OPERATIONS LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074974/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2025
From: CLOUD LIGHT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
To: LUMENTUM OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 072717/0543 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2018
From: SAE MAGNETICS (H.K.) LTD.
To: CLOUD LIGHT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 046569/0754 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2013
From: MAK, WING KEUNG; LEE, HO TONG
To: SAE MAGNETICS (H.K.) LTD.
Reel/Frame 031277/0603 →