Monitoramento térmico de painel fotovoltaico utilizando redes de Bragg em fibra ótica

Abstract

This work presents a study of the application of temperature sensors using Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) in the thermal monitoring of a photovoltaic module whose plant in operation is connected to the electric grid installed on the roof of the Green Office, a building belonging to the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) in Curitiba, PR. Twenty sensors were installed in a single module of a plant and 1 sensor measuring the room temperature. The monitored environment suffers from weathering events such as wind, rain, and great variation of temperature throughout the day and the seasons, which justifies the use of fiber optic sensors, since they are robust and small, practically imperceptible when installed externally, thus not causing shading on the module. In addition, they can also be installed internally by making the module an smart structure. The work consists of manufacturing, assembly and monitoring of FBG. The optical fiber was encapsulated and its effects were analyzed. The measurement data of the FBG sensors were compared with instruments like the Thermocouple and infrared thermometer. The thermal behavior was compared with the power produced by the photovoltaic module. The results will allow the detection of faults and defects in the module, as well as the verification of efficiency losses caused by temperature, where there was a register above 70 °C during the operation.