Photvoltaic solar array health monitor

A method of determining the health of a photovoltaic solar panel, comprising the steps of:

• a) selecting a bias mode of operation;
• b) selecting a monitoring mode of operation;
• c) alternating between said bias mode of operation and said monitoring mode of operation;
• d) applying a common bias from an originating source,
• 1) removing said originating source during said monitoring mode;
• and
• e) loading the solar panel during the monitoring mode to generate health status information,
• 1) processing said health status information,
• 2) communicating said health status information.

A photovoltaic solar health monitor comprising:

• a transmit module having a first input coupled for receiving a signal from a first solar panel device, a second input coupled for receiving a signal from a second solar panel device and an output coupled for transmitting health status information of said first and second solar panel devices, said transmit module comprising,
• a first switch having an input coupled to said transmit module first input, said first switch having a first output position coupled to a bias circuit and having a second output position coupled to a load;
• a second switch having an input coupled to said transmit module second input, said second switch having a first output position coupled to said bias circuit and having a second output position coupled to said load;
• a processor/control means having controlling first output coupled to said first switch for commanding a mode of operation of said transmit module, and having a second output controllably coupled to said second switch for commanding said mode of operation of said transmit module,
• wherein said mode is a normal mode when said first and second switches in said first output position,
• wherein said mode is in a first monitoring mode when said first switch is in said second output position and said second switch is in said first output position, and
• wherein said mode is in a second monitoring mode when said first switch is in said first output position and said second switch is in said second output position,
• wherein said processor/control means is configured to operate alternately between said first monitoring mode and said second operating mode;
• a load control device having an input coupled to a controlling third output of said processor/control means for receiving a load control signal, said load control device having first and second terminals for coupling said load coupled to said first and second inputs of said transmit module during said first and second monitoring modes respectively;
• a monitoring circuit having first and second inputs coupled to first and second outputs, respectively, of said load control device for receiving a plurality of informations from said load control device,
• said monitoring circuit having a third input coupled for receiving a controlling signal from a controlling fourth output of said processor/control means to select one of said plurality of informations, and
• said monitoring circuit having an output for outputting said one of said plurality of informations;
• a conversion circuit having a first input coupled to said output of said monitor circuit for converting said informations from a first format to a second format;
• and having a second input coupled to a fifth output of said processor/control means for synchronizing said load control signal with said informations;
• and
• a transmitter circuit having an input coupled to said output of said conversion circuit, said transmitter circuit having an output configured for transmitting said second formatted informations.