Method and an arrangement in connection with a solar energy system

Abstract

An arrangement and a method are provided in connection with a solar energy system. The arrangement includes solar panels and a converter for converting the DC voltage from the solar panels. The converter is arranged inside a container or a similar closed structure. The arrangement includes means for producing heat from the energy produced by the solar panels. The means are arranged inside the container or a similar closed structure and are electrically connectable to the solar panels.

1 . An arrangement in connection with a solar energy system, the arrangement comprising:
 solar panels;   a converter for converting DC voltage from the solar panels;   a container having the converter arranged therein; and   means for producing heat from the energy produced by the solar panels,   wherein the means for producing heat are arranged inside the container are electrically connectable to the solar panels.   
     
     
         2 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for producing heat are operated when the converter is not in operation. 
     
     
         3 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for producing heat are operated when power from the solar panels exceeds a power rating of the converter. 
     
     
         4 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least one of a cooling arrangement and a drying arrangement configured to be operated when power from the solar panels exceeds a power rating of the converter.   
     
     
         5 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for producing heat comprises at least one resistor. 
     
     
         6 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for producing heat comprises at least two resistors, at least one of the resistors being configured to heat inside air of the container, and at least another one of the resistors being configured to heat a thermal mass inside the container. 
     
     
         7 . An arrangement according to  claim 6 , comprising:
 a change-over switch configured to lead the power from the solar panels either to at least one of the resistors configured to heat the inside air or to at least one of the resistors configured to heat the thermal mass.   
     
     
         8 . An arrangement according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one of the resistors configured to heat the inside air of the container is configured to be used before an operation of the converter is started. 
     
     
         9 . An arrangement according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one of the resistors configured to heat the thermal mass is configured to be used after an operation of the converter has been stopped. 
     
     
         10 . An arrangement according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one of the resistors configured to heat the inside air of the container is configured to be used before an operation of the converter is started. 
     
     
         11 . An arrangement according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 means for determining power fed to the means for producing heat; and   means for adapting starting of the operation of the converter based on the determined power.   
     
     
         12 . An arrangement according to previous  claim 11 , wherein the determined power is one of an average value and a filtered value of the power. 
     
     
         13 . A method in connection with a solar energy system which includes solar panels and a converter for converting the DC voltage from the solar panels, the converter being arranged inside a container, the method comprising:
 producing heat with a device for producing heat from the energy produced by the solar panels,   wherein the device for producing the heat from the energy produced by the solar panels is arranged inside the container and is electrically connectable to the solar panels.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the heat is produced when the converter is not in operation. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the heat is produced when the power from the solar panels exceeds a power rating of the converter. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the device includes at least two resistors, and
 wherein the step of producing heat comprises:   producing heat with at least one of the resistors arranged inside the container when solar power is available prior to the start of the converter; and   producing heat with at least one of the resistors arranged to heat thermal mass inside the container when solar power is available after the use of the converter.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , comprising:
 measuring power fed by the solar panels to the resistors prior to the start of the converter; and   determining from the measured power whether the converter can be started.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to the previous  claim 17 , wherein the step of determining comprises:
 filtering or averaging the measured power; and   determining from the filtered or averaged power whether the converter can be started.   
     
     
         19 . An arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein the means for producing heat are operated when power from the solar panels exceeds a power rating of the converter. 
     
     
         20 . An arrangement according to  claim 2 , comprising:
 at least one of a cooling arrangement and a drying arrangement configured to be operated when power from the solar panels exceeds a power rating of the converter.   
     
     
         21 . An arrangement according to  claim 19 , wherein the means for producing heat comprises at least one resistor. 
     
     
         22 . An arrangement according to  claim 19 , wherein the means for producing heat comprises at least two resistors, at least one of the resistors being configured to heat inside air of the container, and at least another one of the resistors being configured to heat a thermal mass inside the container. 
     
     
         23 . An arrangement according to  claim 22 , comprising:
 a change-over switch configured to lead the power from the solar panels either to at least one of the resistors configured to heat the inside air or to at least one of the resistors configured to heat the thermal mass.   
     
     
         24 . An arrangement according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one of the resistors configured to heat the inside air of the container is configured to be used before an operation of the converter is started. 
     
     
         25 . An arrangement according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one of the resistors configured to heat the thermal mass is configured to be used after an operation of the converter has been stopped. 
     
     
         26 . An arrangement according to  claim 25 , comprising:
 means for determining power fed to the means for producing heat; and   means for adapting starting of the operation of the converter based on the determined power.   
     
     
         27 . An arrangement according to previous  claim 11 , wherein the determined power is one of an average value and a filtered value of the power. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the heat is produced when the power from the solar panels exceeds a power rating of the converter. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the device includes at least two resistors, and
 wherein the step of producing heat comprises:   producing heat with at least one of the resistors arranged inside the container when solar power is available prior to the start of the converter; and   producing heat with at least one of the resistors arranged to heat thermal mass inside the container when solar power is available after the use of the converter.   
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29 , comprising:
 measuring power fed by the solar panels to the resistors prior to the start of the converter; and   determining from the measured power whether the converter can be started.   
     
     
         31 . A method according to the previous  claim 30 , wherein the step of determining comprises:
 filtering or averaging the measured power; and   determining from the filtered or averaged power whether the converter can be started.