Patent ID: 9621104
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: H02S,Y02E

Claim:
1. A method comprising: in a photovoltaic array comprising a plurality of groups of neighboring photovoltaic modules, sensing, by using at least one sensor, a reference performance for a respective photovoltaic module of a respective group of neighboring photovoltaic modules in the photovoltaic array during operation of the respective group of neighboring photovoltaic modules; receiving data indicative of reference performances of the respective group of neighboring photovoltaic modules from transmitters of the respective group of neighboring photovoltaic modules; the respective photovoltaic module comparing, using a processor of the respective photovoltaic module without involvement of a central station, data indicative of its performance relative to the data received from the group of neighboring photovoltaic modules; and based on a result of said comparing, said respective photovoltaic module registering a condition of its performance using the processor, wherein registering the condition of its performance comprises triggering an indicator, transmitting a digital code, or both; and replacing or electrically bypassing said respective photovoltaic module based on the registered condition of its performance by said respective photovoltaic module.