Key Composition of PV Power Plant Intelligence: Module-Level Monitoring

In recent years, to reduce the cost of photovoltaic (PV) power plants, the power output of PV modules has been increasing. With the increasing size of silicon wafers and the improving efficiency of cells, the current through components inevitably increases. Module-level monitoring is imperative as it directly impacts power generation efficiency.

1. Significant Power Loss in Modules

Statistics indicate that, aside from the power loss caused by equipment and lines from the combiner box to the transformer, the power loss due to the PV modules themselves is substantial, accounting for up to 20% of the total power generation loss. Addressing these component issues promptly can yield considerable revenue from the generated electricity.

2. Unclear Positioning of Problematic Modules

Relying solely on thermal imaging to analyze component issues has its limitations:

·Hot weather can affect test results.

·Temperature rise may not be significant in components with issues, such as cracks.

·Small obstructions are hard to detect.

·Real-time monitoring of components is not feasible.

3. Lack of Data Support for Module State Analysis

It is well known that when modules encounter problems such as obstructions, dust, shadows, or defects, the power generation decreases significantly. These scenarios require extensive module-level monitoring data for modeling and analysis. For example, only when the dust accumulation on components reaches a certain thickness does it affect power generation, which currently can only be assessed visually or through estimation. With corresponding component power generation information, maintenance personnel can determine whether to carry out cleaning operations based on the power output.

4. Necessity for Modeling Modules for Smart Analysis

Maintaining a good and durable state of the components is essential to ensure power generation benefits. By establishing data models, the state of the components can be monitored in real-time, completing the intelligent operation and maintenance (O&M) of the entire PV power plant through intelligent analysis.

5. Design Example

PLC communication technology can upload the data information of each component to the cloud server in real time. Through big data analysis and data modules, the state of the components can be determined, and issues can be analyzed and located promptly. This improves O&M efficiency and reduces operational and maintenance costs.