what if solar string monitoring was an affordable, temporary solution?
TRANSCRIPT
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What If String Monitoring Was An Affordable, Temporary Solution?
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Historical Problem of String Monitoring• It’s too expensive• Day to day monitoring not
particularly valuable…but periodic checkups make sense
• The real cost are the underperforming strings you don’t know about…
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To compensate for lack of detailed string monitoring, owners look to:
– Zone monitoring at inverter inputs
• Problem: Lacks detail– Commissioning reports
• Problem: Just 1 point in time
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Temporary string monitoring analyzes site data a few times
a year, at a fraction of the cost.
The goal?
Find issues behind underperformance.
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Common Output Issues Found by String Monitoring
• Loose/broken/melted MC4 connectors
• Soiling/dirt accumulation• Module shading• Blown fuses• Cracked cells• Terrain effects
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Cost of ONE Problem Per String
• $330/month per MW• Over 20-year lifecycle:
$80,000/MW
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HOW SOLAR STRING ANALYSIS WORKS
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Engineers set up temporary hardware next to combiner box
(non contact).
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Split core current transformers (CT) measure current of each string, and are
installed without taking the site
offline.
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Data collected in five minute intervals for at least one
clear sky day.
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CTs moved to collect data from each plant combiner
box.
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Combiner box data inputs
normalized and analyzed to
calculate impact to energy.
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Report provided to owner outlining
underperformance components with
likely causes.
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GOALS OF SOLAR STRING ANALYSIS
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Calculate deep dive analysis on energy lost from underperforming strings
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Provide proof for warranty claims
– Module hardware– EPC labor and
service
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Outline specific location data and likely causes
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Analyze and provide recommendations on DC health
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SOLAR STRING ANALYSISCASE STUDY
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Affinity Energy’s Rooftop• 30kw• 3 inverters• 4 strings per inverter• Net-metering
building electrical usage
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What String Analysis Told Us• 1 string not operational
– Found melted MC4 connector
– Cost us $60/mo for 18 months
• 3 inverters affected by shading
• Repairs helped increase energy yield by 8%
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We want to help owners make critical decisions about maintenance to achieve optimal financial fitness and ensure long
term plant viability.
Ultimately…