Anti-theft protection system for solar panel

In present solar panel theft protection system, a solar panel stops generating power after it is detached from its intended system or if the solar radiation level goes below certain min level. The accordance with the present disclosure solar panel & its connected system identify each other by encrypted codes. The solar panel & its connected system communicate with each other through same power cables which are coming from solar panel (i.e. positive & negative). No extra communication cabling is required.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/IN2018/050564 filed on Sep. 1, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority from Indian Application 201721031069 filed on Sep. 1, 2017. The entire disclosures of all of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure described herein, in general, relates to a protection device more particularly to an anti-theft protection device for the solar panels.

BACKGROUND

Theft of solar panels from un-protected sites is very common. In order to reduce the theft, a host of anti-theft device are available in market. For e.g. antitheft nuts, buzzers, or tracking systems. However, the major drawback of these systems is that are mounted externally on the panels. Further if the panels are stolen there is no way to disable the solar panels.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an anti-theft device for solar panel and the concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an implementation of the present disclosure an anti-theft system has been disclosed. The system may comprise a junction box. The junction box may be mounted directly on the solar panel at the terminal junction. The junction box on a first end is communicably connected with 2 very short terminal protruding from a solar panel. Further the junction box has two long terminal protruding from a second end of the junction box. The junction box further comprises a module to encrypt and decrypt signal received to and from the solar panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure discloses an aspect of an anti-theft system for a solar panel. Even though the present system is primarily designed for authenticating solar panel and its subsystem, it can also be used for other applications such as batteries, luminaries etc.

FIG. 1illustrates an anti-theft system, in accordance with the present disclosure. The system as disclosed may comprise a module102having anti-theft circuitry and logic integrated within the module. The module102may be directly mounted on a solar panel and enclosed in a junction box104or any type of housing mechanism. The module102may be connected at the location where electric terminals protrude from the solar panel. Further the module102may be configured to provide electrical terminals to connect at least one sub-system. In an exemplary embodiment the sub-system are devices or systems that utilize the power generated from the solar panel.

Further the location and position of the module102directly on the terminal exiting from the solar panel is an essential feature. Mounting and sealing of the junction box104comprising the module102directly over the terminal protruding from solar panel prevents direct access to these terminals hence does not allow tampering, because if someone does try to tamper, the terminal will also get destroyed during tampering, while disabling the solar panel as usable. The electric terminals protruding from the junction box having module with anti-theft circuitry and logic may further be configured to communicate with the subsystem apart from providing a +ve and −ve terminal for the power cable.

The anti-theft circuitry and logic may be implemented using a processor or a micro controller. The anti-theft circuitry and logic may use a first sensor to detect the power generated by solar panel. Further based on the detection of the power, a code generator, integral to the anti-theft circuitry and logic, may be configured to validate and authenticate connected sub-system and the solar panel before enabling power to the subsystem. The authentication by the code generator may be done using encryption and decryption key or any other authentication logic.

In another exemplary embodiment, the module may be integrated into the solar panel directly.

The module may be configured to send or receive and read an encrypted or decrypted signal via the power cable, or a separate cable, or wireless. Only when the signal matches the module will allow the energy generated by the solar panel to the subsystem. Failure to verify or validate the signal, the module will then disable the solar panel.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. The solar panel200, may comprise a frame202. The frame202may be peripheral structure with defined geometry. Further the frame202may comprise a glass204mounted within the frame202. The glass204may further be mounted on an encapsulant206. An array of solar cell208may be sandwiched between two encapsulant206. Further a back-sheet210may seal all the component within the frame202. Further a junction box having module with anti-theft circuitry and logic102, may be mounted directly on the back-sheet210. The module with anti-theft circuitry and logic can be integrated or attached with solar panel with any other assembling or manufactured technique.

Further if solar panel having module with anti-theft circuitry and logic when not connected to subsystem does not produce any kind of electrical or communication signal. This prevents intruder from decoding or manipulating the anti-theft logic inside the module.

FIG. 3illustrates a flow chart in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the present disclosure when the system in switched “ON” i.e. started after getting the radiation, the system checks for the availability of solar power, as illustrated in step302. Further on detection of availability of solar power via the solar panel in step304and306, an encryption key is randomly generated in step308. The encryption key can be generated in the solar panel, or in a module integrated into the solar panel, or in an external generator. Further based on location of the generation of the encrypted key, the encrypted key may be then sent for validation in step310, wherein the encrypted key is decrypted in step316by peer system. Once a positive validation is received as in step318the supply from the solar panel is initiated in step324. In another embodiment if the validation fails an iterative attempt at validation is made as per step320and322.