JP2020028179A - Abnormality monitoring system, abnormality monitoring device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To detect abnormality in units of solar cells.SOLUTION: An abnormality detection system includes a detection device that detects an abnormality of a specific solar cell constituting a power generation facility constituted by a plurality of solar cells on the basis of at least one of a visible light image and a thermal infrared image obtained by imaging the power generation facility from the sky.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an abnormality monitoring system, an abnormality monitoring device, and a program.

  In order to operate a power generation facility (hereinafter, also referred to as “photovoltaic power generation facility”) composed of a plurality of solar cells safely for a long period, periodic inspection is recommended. However, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the minimum units (hereinafter, referred to as “cells”) of the solar cell, the power generation amount of the entire power generation facility does not change. In addition, the power generation amount of the entire power generation facility fluctuates according to weather. For this reason, cell abnormalities have been overlooked.

International Publication No. WO 2015/162637

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method capable of detecting an abnormality in a unit of a solar cell, and in some inventions, a method of enabling a further estimation of the cause of the abnormality or the urgency of the abnormality. For the purpose of providing.

The invention according to claim 1 is based on at least one of a visible light image and a thermal infrared image obtained by imaging a power generation facility including a plurality of solar cells from the sky, based on a specific solar cell constituting the power generation facility. This is an abnormality monitoring system having a detection device for detecting an abnormality.
In the invention according to claim 2, the detection device detects an abnormality of the solar cell located in the region when a heat generation exceeding a threshold is recognized in a region where a shadow overlaps in a visible light image of the power generation facility. The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality is monitored.
The invention according to claim 3 is the abnormality monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the detection device outputs a failure of a bypass diode in the solar cell as a candidate for a cause of the abnormality.
The invention according to claim 4, wherein the detection device outputs a candidate of a cause of the abnormality by combining a result of the abnormality detection based on the visible light image and a result of the abnormality detection based on the thermal infrared image. An abnormality monitoring system according to item 1.
The detection device according to claim 5, wherein the detection device detects the abnormality of the heat generation from the thermal infrared image, but does not detect the abnormality of the appearance from the visible light image, and detects the solar cell as a candidate of the cause of the abnormality. The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 4, which outputs the inside of the system.
The detection device according to claim 6, wherein the detection device detects an abnormality of heat generation from the thermal infrared image, and detects an abnormality of the appearance from the visible light image, and detects the abnormality of the solar cell as a candidate of the cause of the abnormality. The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 4, which outputs a surface.
The invention according to claim 7 is the abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device outputs the degree of urgency of responding to the abnormality based on a change with respect to a visible light image captured in the past.
The invention according to claim 8 is the abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device outputs the degree of urgency of responding to the abnormality based on a change in a thermal infrared image captured in the past.
In the invention according to claim 9, the detection device is based on a plurality of visible light images and thermal infrared images captured at different dates and times, or based on a plurality of visible light images captured at different dates and times, or 2. The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality monitoring system detects an abnormality of the solar cell based on a plurality of thermal infrared images captured at different dates and times.
The invention according to claim 10 is the abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device excludes a region where a cloud is present in the visible light image from an abnormality detection target.
The invention according to claim 11 is the abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the power generation facility is installed in a residential area.
The invention according to claim 12 is the abnormality monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the visible light image and the thermal infrared image are satellite images captured by an artificial satellite.
The invention according to claim 13 is based on at least one of a visible light image and a thermal infrared image of a power generation facility composed of a plurality of solar cells taken from the sky, and a specific solar cell constituting the power generation facility. This is an abnormality monitoring device having a detection unit for detecting an abnormality.
The invention according to claim 14 is a computer, based on at least one of a visible light image and a thermal infrared image of a power generation facility composed of a plurality of solar cells from the sky, a specific power generation facility constituting the power generation facility. This is a program for executing a function of detecting a solar cell abnormality.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a method capable of detecting an abnormality in units of solar cells.
According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to detect an abnormality that cannot be detected only by the thermal infrared image.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a candidate for the cause of the abnormality.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a candidate for the cause of the abnormality.
According to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to output a candidate for the cause of the abnormality.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a candidate for the cause of the abnormality.
According to the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to output the degree of urgency of responding to the abnormality.
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to output the degree of urgency of responding to an abnormality.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the accuracy of detection can be improved as compared with the case where one imaging result is used.
According to the tenth aspect, the load required for the analysis can be reduced.
According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to detect an abnormality of the solar cell installed in the residential area.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since there are few restrictions when capturing an image, an image can be captured with high frequency.
According to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to provide a method capable of detecting an abnormality in units of solar cells.
According to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to provide a method capable of detecting an abnormality in units of solar cells.

It is a figure showing the example of composition of the system which detects abnormality of the photovoltaic power generation equipment. It is a figure which shows the example of a solar power generation facility. It is a figure explaining the example of connection of the bypass diode which bypasses between clusters. (A) shows the current flow in the case where the cluster in which the current hardly flows is not included, and (B) shows the current flow in the case where the cluster where the current hardly flows is included. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a monitoring server. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a monitoring server. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a monitoring process used in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the remainder of the monitoring process used in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the visible light image in which the cloud of the sky is superimposed on the photovoltaic power generation facility. It is a figure which shows the example of the visible light image in which the shadow is reflected on the surface of a solar power generation facility. It is a figure explaining the example of the cell where the temperature abnormality was detected in the area where the shadow overlaps, and the cell where the temperature abnormality was detected in the area where the shadow did not overlap. It is a figure showing an example of appearance abnormality with a low priority of correspondence. (A) shows the visible light image taken last time, and (B) shows the visible light image taken this time. It is a figure showing an example of appearance abnormalities with a high priority of correspondence. (A) shows the visible light image taken last time, and (B) shows the visible light image taken this time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Overall configuration of system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system that detects an abnormality of a photovoltaic power generation facility. Hereinafter, this system is referred to as an abnormality monitoring system 1.
The abnormality monitoring system 1 includes an artificial satellite 10 that images the ground from an orbit, a ground station 20 that communicates with the artificial satellite 10, and a photovoltaic power generation facility 42 that analyzes image data imaged by the artificial satellite 10 and And a monitoring server 30 for monitoring the state of the server.
Although only one artificial satellite 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of artificial satellites 10 capable of imaging the same place may be used. The number of times the artificial satellite 10 orbits the earth per day and the altitude of the orbit are arbitrary. The artificial satellite 10 is operated in, for example, a sun-synchronous quasi-return orbit.

The artificial satellite 10 is equipped with a visible light camera 11 that captures a visible light image of the ground, and a thermal infrared camera 12 that captures a thermal infrared image of the ground. An image captured by each camera is transmitted to the ground station 20 via a transponder (not shown).
The visible light camera 11 and the thermal infrared camera 12 image the same place. In the case of the present embodiment, the visible light camera 11 and the thermal infrared camera 12 image the same place at the same time.
FIG. 1 shows only the visible light image 40 among the two types of images captured by the artificial satellite 10.
The visible light image 40 here includes a plurality of houses 41. That is, the visible light image 40 is an image of a residential area. Residential areas are an example of a district where permission is required to fly drones. Areas requiring permission for drone flight include, for example, areas where the population is concentrated, airports and their surroundings.

The visible light image 40 shown in FIG. 1 includes a house 41 in which a solar power generation facility 42 is mounted on a roof.
Note that not all images captured by the artificial satellite 10 include the house 41 in which the solar power generation facility 42 is mounted on the roof.
The place where the artificial satellite 10 captures images is not limited to a residential area, but may be a commercial area, an industrial area, a forest, or the like.
In addition, there is no limitation on the scale of the solar power generation facility 42 that is imaged by the artificial satellite 10 in the present embodiment. Therefore, the monitoring service is not limited to the photovoltaic power generation equipment 42 installed on the roof of the house 41, but also the photovoltaic power generation equipment 42 mounted on the roof of a building or condominium, and the photovoltaic power generation equipment 42 installed on the forest or the ground. May be included.

The monitoring server 30 is used to provide a service for monitoring the state of the photovoltaic power generation facilities 42. The monitoring server 30 may be an on-premises type or a cloud type. In any case, the monitoring service provider uses the monitoring server 30 to monitor the state of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 contracted for, and to determine whether there is an abnormality or a candidate that is likely to be the cause of the abnormality. Output.
The monitoring server 30 is an example of a detection device and a detection unit, and is also an example of an abnormality monitoring device.

<Example of solar power generation system configuration>
Here, the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 to be monitored will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the solar power generation facility 42. The photovoltaic power generation facility 42 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a so-called solar cell array.
As shown in FIG. 2, the minimum unit of a solar cell is called a cell. One cell has a size of, for example, 15 cm on one side, and generates electricity proportional to the intensity of incident light energy on a cell-by-cell basis. Therefore, even when clouds in the sky, surrounding natural or man-made objects form a shadow on a part of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42, electricity can be generated in accordance with the intensity of the incident light energy.
In the case of FIG. 2, an aggregate in which 24 cells are connected in series is called a cluster, and an aggregate in which three clusters are connected in series is called a module. An assembly in which four to ten modules are connected in series is called a string, and an assembly of a plurality of strings is called a solar cell array. The photovoltaic power generation facility 42 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a solar cell array.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a connection example of a bypass diode D that bypasses between clusters. (A) shows the current flow in the case where the cluster in which the current hardly flows is not included, and (B) shows the current flow in the case where the cluster where the current hardly flows is included.
As shown in FIG. 3, the bypass diode D is connected in parallel to the corresponding cluster. If the current flow in the cluster is normal, the current flows through 72 cells in series, as shown in (A).
On the other hand, in the case of (B), the abnormal cell is included in the second cluster. If there is an abnormal cell, the flow of current in the second cluster becomes worse. The same applies to the case where the power generation amount is reduced due to the shadow. In this case, as shown in (B), the current output from the first cluster flows to the third cluster via the bypass diode D connected in parallel to the second cluster. .
If the flow of any cluster becomes poor, the current from the previous stage flows in series through all three bypass diodes D and is output to the next stage.

<Configuration example of monitoring server 30>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the monitoring server 30.
The monitoring server 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301 that controls the entire apparatus through execution of a program (including basic software), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302 that stores a BIOS (Basic Input Output System), And a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 used as an execution area.
The CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 constitute a so-called computer, and execute various types of information processing. The ROM 302 is constituted by, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

The monitoring server 30 has a hard disk drive (HDD) 304 for storing basic software and various databases (DBs).
In the case of the present embodiment, the hard disk device 304 stores, for example, a service subscriber database (service subscriber DB) 304A that stores information of a subscriber of a monitoring service, and a visible light that stores a visible light image captured by the artificial satellite 10. An optical image database (visible light image DB) 304B and a thermal infrared image database (thermal infrared image DB) 304C for storing thermal infrared images captured by the artificial satellite 10 are stored.
However, these databases need not be built in the monitoring server 30, and some or all of them may be stored in an external storage device. The connection with the external storage device may be via the Internet.

The service subscriber database 304A here is not limited to a subscriber database prepared exclusively for a service that monitors the state of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 (see FIG. 1).
For example, when the monitoring of the state of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 is provided as an additional service to the subscriber of the specific service, a subscriber database that manages information of the subscriber of the specific service is used as the service subscriber database 304A. May be included.
Specific services here include, for example, a gas supply service and an electricity supply service. In the following, the users who are provided with the monitoring service are not simply distinguished in the form of a contract, but are simply referred to as monitoring service subscribers.

The service subscriber database 304A includes information for specifying the installation location of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 to be monitored. For example, the location, latitude and longitude, and subscriber address may be used as the information for specifying the installation location.
Further, the service subscriber database 304A stores the presence or absence of an abnormality, the date and time when the abnormality was detected, the location of the cell in which the abnormality was detected, the cause of the abnormality, progress information of confirmation and repair of the detected abnormality, and the repair history. , Installation year, etc. are also stored for each subscriber.

The visible light image database 304B stores the visible light images captured during a predetermined period. Each visible light image is associated with information such as the date and time of imaging, the artificial satellite 10 used for imaging, information defining the range of the ground on which the image was captured, and the resolution (or resolution).
It is desirable that the resolution can identify one side or less of one cell. However, the resolution may be one or more sides of one cell as long as equivalent performance is realized by image processing.
The thermal infrared image database 304C is the same as the visible light image database 304B except that the storage target is a thermal infrared image.
In the present embodiment, the visible light image database 304B and the thermal infrared image database 304C are separately prepared, but may be stored without distinction. Hereinafter, the visible light image and the thermal infrared image captured by the artificial satellite 10 may be referred to as a satellite image.

In addition, the monitoring server 30 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a display unit 305 and an operation input unit 306 as a user interface, and a communication interface (communication IF) 307 used for communication with the outside.
The display unit 305 and the operation input unit 306 may be external to the monitoring server 30 or may be a part of an external terminal connected to the monitoring server 30 via the communication interface 307.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the monitoring server 30.
The functional configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 is realized through execution of a program by a computer including the CPU 301 and the like.
The monitoring server 30 analyzes the identified visible light image, the subscriber information acquisition unit 311 that acquires the subscriber information from the service subscriber database 304A, the analysis image identification unit 312 that identifies the image to be analyzed, and the like. It functions as a visible light image analysis unit 313 and a thermal infrared image analysis unit 314 that analyzes the specified thermal infrared image.
In the case of the present embodiment, in order to effectively utilize the computing resources, the subscriber information acquisition unit 311 acquires the information of the subscriber of the monitoring service, and the photovoltaic power generation facilities 42 to be monitored are installed. Identify a location.
The analysis image specifying unit 312 specifies a visible light image and a thermal infrared image including a place where the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 associated with the subscriber is installed. In the case of the present embodiment, the analysis image specifying unit 312 also specifies a partial image corresponding to the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 to be analyzed from each image. The specified partial image is analyzed by the visible light image analysis unit 313 and the thermal infrared image analysis unit 314.

The visible light image analysis unit 313 specifies a partial image of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 that is the target of the monitoring service from the visible light image that is the target of the analysis, and executes an analysis process. In specifying the photovoltaic power generation facilities 42, information on the installation of the photovoltaic power generation facilities 42 given in advance may be used, or a learning model generated using artificial intelligence or the like may be used, An extraction algorithm prepared in advance may be used. The visible light image analysis unit 313 according to the present embodiment executes an analysis process for each cell constituting the photovoltaic power generation facility 42.
The visible light image analysis unit 313 according to the present embodiment includes, as analysis functions, for example, a cloud presence / absence detection unit 313A for detecting the presence / absence of cloud overlap, a shadow region detection unit 313B for detecting shadow overlap, and an abnormal appearance. And an abnormality degree determination unit 313D that determines the urgency of responding to an abnormality in the appearance.

The cloud presence / absence detection unit 313A excludes a partial image corresponding to the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 (or cell) hidden by clouds in the sky from the analysis target. Information on the ground cannot be obtained in the area where the clouds overlap, but unless the whole image is covered by the clouds, the participant's solar power generation facility 42 is included with the landmark image that can be confirmed from the gap between the clouds. Image region to be specified. Since the position of the cell cannot be specified from the image in the portion where the cloud overlaps, the partial image where the cloud is located may be simply excluded from the analysis target.
The shadow area detecting unit 313B distinguishes and detects cells in which the shadow of the natural or artificial object overlaps and cells in which the shadow does not overlap from the image corresponding to the photovoltaic power generation facility 42. The brightness of the cell where the shadow overlaps appears darker than the cell where the shadow does not overlap.

The appearance abnormality detection unit 313C analyzes an image corresponding to the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 and detects an abnormality in the appearance. The appearance abnormality is assumed to be, for example, adhesion of foreign matter, trauma, or the like. Foreign substances include those that are easily blown off by the wind, such as leaves and dust, and those that adhere for a long time, such as bird dung.
The abnormality degree determination unit 313D is used for determining the degree of abnormality in appearance. In the case of the present embodiment, the degree-of-abnormality determination unit 313D detects a time change of the detected abnormality based on comparison with an image captured in the past, and determines the degree of urgency. The degree of urgency is high when the degree of abnormality is unchanged or progressing, and low when the degree of abnormality is improved.

The thermal infrared image analysis unit 314 specifies a partial image of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 that is a monitoring service target from the thermal infrared image that is an analysis target, and executes an analysis process. Note that a specific result of the visible light image analysis unit 313 may be used to specify the partial image of the solar power generation facility 42.
The thermal infrared image analyzer 314 in the present embodiment is provided with a temperature abnormality detector 314A as an analysis function.
In the detection of the temperature abnormality by the temperature abnormality detection unit 314A, a method of comparing the absolute value of the temperature measured from the image with the threshold value may be used, or the temperature of the cell to be detected and the temperature of the surrounding cells may be compared. Alternatively, a method of comparing the difference value with the threshold value may be used. The temperature abnormality detection unit 314A detects that the temperature of the cell is abnormal when the absolute value of the temperature or the difference value of the temperature exceeds the threshold value.

<Example of monitoring processing operation>
Hereinafter, a processing operation executed to monitor an abnormality from a satellite image obtained by imaging the solar power generation facility 42 of the subscriber will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12.
Here, FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating an example of the monitoring processing operation. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of the monitoring process used in the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the rest of the monitoring processing used in the present embodiment. The symbol S in FIGS. 6 and 7 means a step.
6 and 7 are executed after the partial image corresponding to the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 (see FIG. 1) for the specific subscriber is specified.

The monitoring server 30 (see FIG. 1) uses the visible light image of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 to be monitored, and determines whether or not the cell to be processed overlaps the cloud (step 1). In the case of the present embodiment, it is determined that the cells located within the range that has been recognized as a cloud by image recognition have overlapping clouds. Incidentally, a cell located in a blind spot due to surrounding trees and the like is also treated as an overlapping cloud.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a visible light image 40 in which a cloud 43 above the solar power generation facility 42 is superimposed. The squares in the figure correspond to the cells. As shown in FIG. 8, it is not possible to recognize the cells constituting the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 in the portion where the clouds 43 overlap.

Returning to the description of FIG.
Next, the monitoring server 30 checks whether the clouds overlap (step 2).
If the cloud overlaps the cell to be processed, a positive result is obtained in step 2. In this case, the monitoring server 30 excludes the processing target cell from the analysis target (Step 3). This exclusion reduces the load on the computational resources used for the analysis.
On the other hand, if the cloud does not overlap the cell to be processed, a negative result is obtained in step 2. In this case, the monitoring server 30 uses the visible light image of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 to be monitored and determines whether or not the cell to be processed overlaps the shadow (step 4). The shadow here includes the shadow of clouds in the sky.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a visible light image 40 in which a shadow 44 is reflected on the surface of the solar power generation facility 42. The squares in the figure correspond to the cells. As shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to recognize the cells constituting the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 even in the portion where the shadow 44 overlaps. The brightness of the cell where the shadow 44 overlaps is lower than the brightness of the cell where the shadow 44 does not overlap.

Returning to the description of FIG.
Next, the monitoring server 30 checks whether shadows overlap (step 5).
When the shadow overlaps the cell to be processed, a positive result is obtained in step 5. In this case, the monitoring server 30 uses the thermal infrared image to determine whether or not the cell to be processed has a temperature abnormality (step 6). The determination here is made by comparing the measured temperature or the temperature difference with the surrounding cells with a predetermined threshold value.
As described above, if the bypass diode D (see FIG. 3) is functioning, no current should flow through the cluster containing the shaded cells. Conversely, if a current flows through the cluster including the shaded cell, the failure of the bypass diode D is suspected. The flow of the current can be confirmed by the fact that the cells in the cluster generate heat when energized. If a current flows through a cell that is not generating power and generates heat, the cell may be damaged.

Next, the monitoring server 30 checks whether or not the temperature is abnormal (step 7).
If a temperature abnormality is detected in the cell where the shadow overlaps, a positive result is obtained in step 7.
In this case, the monitoring server 30 outputs an abnormality detection (Step 8). The abnormality detection here may include the cause of the abnormality. For example, information indicating a possibility of failure of the bypass diode D is included as a cause of the abnormality. Thereafter, the monitoring server 30 repeats the determination from step 1 with another cell as a processing target.
On the other hand, if no temperature abnormality is detected in the cell where the shadow overlaps, a negative result is obtained in step 7. In this case, the monitoring server 30 outputs a normal detection (step 9). Thereafter, the monitoring server 30 repeats the determination from step 1 with another cell as a processing target.

By the way, if a negative result is obtained in step 5, the monitoring server 30 uses the thermal infrared image to determine whether or not the cell to be processed has a temperature abnormality (step 10). The cells to be processed in step 10 are cells in which shadows do not overlap. The determination here is also made by comparing the measured temperature or the temperature difference with the surrounding cells with a predetermined threshold.
Next, the monitoring server 30 checks whether or not the temperature is abnormal (step 11).
If a temperature abnormality is not detected in a cell where the shadow does not overlap, a negative result is obtained in step 11. In this case, the monitoring server 30 outputs a normal detection (step 12). Thereafter, the monitoring server 30 repeats the determination from step 1 with another cell as a processing target.
On the other hand, if a temperature abnormality is detected in a cell where the shadow does not overlap, a positive result is obtained in step 11. In this case, the monitoring server 30 outputs an abnormality detection (Step 13).
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cell 45 in which an abnormal temperature is detected in a region where a shadow overlaps and a cell 46 in which an abnormal temperature is detected in a region where a shadow does not overlap. In the case of FIG. 10, abnormal temperature is recognized in two cells in the region where the shadow 44 overlaps, and abnormal temperature is recognized in one cell in the region where the shadow 44 does not overlap.

Returning to the description of FIG.
When an abnormal temperature is detected in a cell having no overlapping shadow, the monitoring server 30 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the appearance of the cell using the visible light image (Step 14). Specifically, the presence or absence of a foreign substance such as an adhered substance or a trauma is determined.
Next, the monitoring server 30 checks whether there is any abnormality (step 15).
If no abnormality is found in the appearance, a negative result is obtained in step 15. In this case, the monitoring server 30 outputs a determination result that the cause of the temperature abnormality is likely to be a problem inside the cell (step 16). After this output, the monitoring server 30 repeats the determination from step 1 with another cell as a processing target.
If an abnormality is found in the appearance, a positive result is obtained in step 15. In this case, the monitoring server 30 outputs a determination result indicating that the cause of the temperature abnormality is likely to be a cell surface problem (step 17).

Next, the monitoring server 30 acquires a past visible light image corresponding to the cell (step 18). In the case of the artificial satellite 10 (see FIG. 1), it is possible to periodically image the same place, so that a plurality of satellites having different imaging dates and times for a specific solar power generation facility 42 (see FIG. 1). The image has been saved. In the case of the present embodiment, the monitoring server 30 acquires the previously captured visible light image from the visible light images stored for the same solar power generation facility 42.
Thereafter, the monitoring server 30 compares the current visible light image with the previous visible light image to determine a change in the degree of appearance abnormality (step 19). For example, it is determined whether the content of the appearance abnormality is the same (including similarity) or different between the previous time and the current time, and whether the area or the length of the appearance abnormality is increasing or decreasing.

Subsequently, the monitoring server 30 determines whether or not the urgency of responding to the appearance abnormality is high (Step 20).
For example, if the appearance abnormality is caused by sticking of bird droppings or temporary flying objects, the urgency of response is low. In this case, the monitoring server 30 proceeds to step 21 and sets a low priority for the response to the appearance abnormality. After setting the priority, the monitoring server 30 repeats the determination from step 1 with another cell as a processing target.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance abnormality with a low priority of correspondence. (A) shows the visible light image 40 taken last time, and (B) shows the visible light image 40 taken this time. In the case of FIG. 11, there is a difference of four days between the previous imaging date and the current imaging date.
In the case of FIG. 11, the size of the appearance abnormality 47 detected in the visible light image 40 is smaller this time than in the previous time. Such an event occurs when the appearance abnormality is a kind of dirt that is washed away by wind and rain. Since there is no problem even if this kind of abnormality does not need to be dealt with in a hurry, the priority of the handling is set low.

Returning to the description of FIG.
On the other hand, when the appearance abnormality is caused by breakage of the glass or the like, the urgency of response is high. In this case, the monitoring server 30 proceeds to step 22 and sets a higher priority for the appearance abnormality. After setting the priority, the monitoring server 30 repeats the determination from step 1 with another cell as a processing target.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance abnormality with a high priority of correspondence. (A) shows the visible light image 40 taken last time, and (B) shows the visible light image 40 taken this time. Also in the case of FIG. 12, the difference between the previous imaging date and the current imaging date is four days.
In the case of FIG. 12, the size of the appearance abnormality 47 detected in the visible light image 40 is larger this time than in the previous time. Such an event occurs in the case where the surface abnormality is not a stain which is washed away by wind and rain, but the appearance abnormality is a breakage of the surface glass. Since this kind of abnormality needs to be dealt with urgently, the priority of the correspondence is set high.

<Summary>
As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, the visible light camera 11 (see FIG. 1) and the thermal infrared camera 12 (see FIG. 1) are used to detect the abnormality of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 (see FIG. 1). Since the artificial satellite 10 (see FIG. 1) on which the satellite is mounted is used, the inspection range is not restricted as in the case of a drone. For example, in the case of using a drone, it is necessary to dispatch a person to a place where the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 to be inspected is present, visually monitor the drone in flight, apply for permission, and the like. When used, there are no restrictions.
In addition, since it is not known when a failure will occur, continuous or periodic inspection is effective in providing a service for detecting an abnormality of the photovoltaic power generation facility 42. From this viewpoint as well, the inspection method according to the present embodiment, in which it is not necessary to fly a drone many times in an airspace requiring permission such as a residential area, is advantageous for detecting an abnormality in the solar power generation facility 42.
Further, in the case of the present embodiment, even when the photovoltaic power generation facility 42 is installed in a place where traffic is inconvenient, the inspection can be performed with high frequency. Of course, the frequent inspection is advantageous for the inspection of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 42 installed in a residential area or the like.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, since the visible light image and the thermal infrared image captured at the same time are used, it is possible to specify the cause of the abnormality having a high possibility. For example, it is possible to specify whether it is a failure of the bypass diode, a problem inside the cell, a dirt on the cell surface, or a damage on the cell surface.
For this reason, even when dispatching a person to the site, it is possible to dispatch a worker having the ability according to the identified cause. For example, if the cause is known to be a bird droppings, a cleaning company can be arranged, and in the case of an internal failure or damage to the cell surface, an operator capable of repairing or replacing parts can be arranged. Incidentally, the information of the identified cause and priority may be notified or presented to the subscriber as well as the employee of the business operator providing the management service.

<Other embodiments>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is apparent from the description of the appended claims that various modifications or improvements to the above-described embodiment are included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, basically, the visible light image and the thermal infrared image captured by one artificial satellite 10 (see FIG. 1) are used. Alternatively, a visible light image and a thermal infrared image may be used. For example, the presence or absence of an abnormality may be detected by selectively using an image that is not affected by clouds or shadows among a plurality of visible light images and thermal infrared images captured on the same day or at the same time.
(2) The threshold value used for determining a temperature abnormality in the above-described embodiment may be changed according to the resolution of the satellite image.
(3) The satellite image may be transmitted to the ground station 20 (see FIG. 1) simultaneously with the imaging, or the images accumulated in the artificial satellite 10 (see FIG. 1) may be transmitted together.
(4) In the above-described embodiment, it is basically assumed that the monitoring service is provided in one country or region. However, since the satellite 10 orbits the earth, the satellite 10 The monitoring service may be provided to all countries and regions where the monitoring is performed.
(5) In the above-described embodiment, the presence or absence of an abnormality is basically analyzed in units of one cell. However, the presence or absence of an abnormality may be determined in units of a plurality of cells.
(6) In the above embodiment, both the visible light image and the thermal infrared image are captured using the artificial satellite 10, but only one of them may be captured. Even in such a case, it is possible to detect the abnormality, determine the cause of the abnormality, and determine the urgency of responding to the abnormality using only one of the images. For example, even when only the visible light image is used, the degree of progress of the appearance abnormality may be detected by comparing a plurality of visible light images captured at different dates and times, and the urgency of the response may be determined. Further, for example, even when only the thermal infrared image is used, the progress of the heat generation abnormality may be detected and the urgency of the response may be determined by comparing a plurality of thermal infrared images captured at different dates and times. For example, if the temperature difference between a specific cell and its surrounding cells increases over time, it is determined that deterioration has progressed. If the temperature difference gradually decreases or disappears, a temporary abnormality is detected. Can be determined.
(7) In the above-described embodiment, the abnormality is detected by processing the visible light image and the thermal infrared image of the photovoltaic power generation facility captured by the artificial satellite 10 (for example, see FIGS. 6 and 7). A visible light image and a thermal infrared image captured by a so-called drone may be processed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Abnormality monitoring system, 10 ... Artificial satellite, 11 ... Visible light camera, 12 ... Thermal infrared camera, 20 ... Ground station, 30 ... Monitoring server, 40 ... Visible light image, 41 ... House, 42 ... Solar power generation equipment, 304A: Service subscriber database, 304B: Visible light image database, 304C: Thermal infrared image database, 311: Subscriber information acquisition unit, 312: Analysis image specifying unit, 313: Visible light image analysis unit, 313A: Cloud presence / absence detection unit , 313B: shadow area detection section, 313C: appearance abnormality detection section, 313D: abnormality degree determination section, 314: thermal infrared image analysis section, 314A: temperature abnormality detection section, D: bypass diode

Claims (14)

An abnormality comprising: a detection device that detects an abnormality of a specific solar cell included in the power generation facility based on at least one of a visible light image and a thermal infrared image of the power generation facility configured by a plurality of solar cells from the sky. Monitoring system.   2. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein, in a visible light image of the power generation equipment, when heat generation exceeding a threshold is recognized in a region where a shadow overlaps, an abnormality of the solar cell located in the region is detected. Abnormality monitoring system.   The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the detection device outputs a failure of a bypass diode in the solar cell as a candidate for a cause of the abnormality.   The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device combines a result of the abnormality detection based on the visible light image and a result of the abnormality detection based on the thermal infrared image, and outputs a candidate of a cause of the abnormality.   The detection device outputs the inside of the solar cell as a candidate for the cause of the abnormality when the abnormality of the appearance is not detected from the visible light image while the abnormality of the heat generation is detected from the thermal infrared image. Abnormality monitoring system described in 1.   5. The detection device according to claim 4, wherein when an abnormality in heat generation is detected from the thermal infrared image, and when an abnormality in appearance is detected from the visible light image, the surface of the solar cell is output as a candidate for the cause of the abnormality. Abnormality monitoring system described.   2. The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device outputs an urgency level of an abnormality response based on a change in a visible light image captured in the past.   2. The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device outputs an urgency degree of handling the abnormality based on a change in a thermal infrared image captured in the past.   The detection device may be configured to generate a plurality of heat images captured at different dates and times based on a plurality of visible light images and thermal infrared images captured at different dates and times, or based on a plurality of visible light images captured at different dates and times. The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality monitoring system detects an abnormality of the solar cell based on the infrared image.   The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device excludes a region in which a cloud exists in the visible light image from an abnormality detection target.   The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the power generation facility is installed in a residential area.   The abnormality monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the visible light image and the thermal infrared image are satellite images captured by an artificial satellite. An abnormality including a detection unit configured to detect an abnormality of a specific solar cell included in the power generation facility based on at least one of a visible light image and a thermal infrared image of the power generation facility including a plurality of solar cells from the sky. Monitoring device. On the computer,
A program for executing a function of detecting an abnormality of a specific solar cell included in the power generation facility based on at least one of a visible light image and a thermal infrared image of the power generation facility including a plurality of solar cells from the sky. .