Detection of Faults in Photovoltaic Module in the Frequency Domain

Abstract

A photovoltaic system can be subject to various faults and anomalies during its operation, leading to a drop in performance. Allowing fine diagnosis, detection and localisation of faults in a Photovoltaic (PV) installation reduces maintenance costs and above all increases productivity. In what follows, we focus specifically on the detection and localisation of faults on the AC side of the PV system. For this purpose, the choice was made to analyse the power generated by the PV in the frequency domain for the various operating modes under consideration. Based on the spectral analysis of the three phases of the generated currents, faults characteristic frequencies are highlighted in the power spectral density of the first principal component. The diagnosis method gives a good basis for a non intrusive condition monitoring tool for PV system.