mlpe - module level power electronics maximum power … · 2016-06-03 · solar power→dc power dc...

• MLPE - module level power electronics • MPPT – maximum power point tracking • MTBF – mean time between failure • MLPM – module level power management • ECU – energy communication unit (H/W) • EMA – energy management & Analysis (GUI) • PV Module/Panel – to convert sun light to DC • PV Cell – Poly/Mono silicon slice as the basic unit

of PV module • Inverter – converting DC to AC

Terminology

Proprietary and confidential. Property of APsystems.

What is Microinverter

→Why Microinverter?


MICROINVERTER ADVANTAGES

4 Proprietary and confidential. Property of APsystems.


Microinverter

DC Cable

AC Cable

Grid

Solar Power→DC Power DC Power→AC Power

According to different length of DC cable, there are

three different system structures.

Microinverter: Simple


C-Si modules/Matrix thin-film modules in series + 1.5/10kW string inverter. Connecting the PV systems to the grid on the user side, directly connect to the

loading of user side. Near to the loading, high system efficiency, distributed network, slight impact

on the utility.

Photovoltaic Module DC Junction

Box

DC Switch

Control Box

Utility Meter Distribution Box String Inverter



C-Si modules/Matrix thin-film modules in series + 100/500kW central inverter. Connecting the PV systems to the grid on the power generation side + 2/3 level

step-up, long distance transmission, multi-level step-down into the loading of user side.

Far from the electricity loading, low system efficiency, great impact on the utility.



System base on the DC side

-loss

-High DC voltage risk

There should be O&M room

-Indoor

-energy consumption

(air condition)

-safety

-people on duty for 7/24



C-Si modules/Matrix thin-film modules in series + 200~300W microinverter. In

general, each PV panel connects to one microinverter, the output is AC power.

Connecting the PV systems to the grid on the user side, flexible system

construction, directly connect to the loading of user side.

Near to the loading, high system efficiency, slight impact on the utility.

Thanks to the internet, the power generation performance of each PV module can

be monitored from anywhere in the world.

Utility Meter Distribution

Box

AC Junction Box

Photovoltaic

Module

Microinverter Microinverter

220V AC

Cable


Microinverter：Safer (No Hi-V DC)

String Inverter:

PV Panels connected in serial

With 600V/1000V high voltage

DC cable

Microinverter:

PV Panels connected in parallel

Only 40V DC cable


Caution for safety

Fire scene of a string-inverter system

Take away:

Solar System is very safe, if it’s done properly. However, high DC voltage

in string inverter is more susceptible to the arcing risk.

The microinverter solved this safety issue because microinverter system

does not have high voltage DC cables.

11

Caution for safety

A string-inverter system is flammable. It is dangerous for firefighter, due to high DC voltage existed even AC off.

12

Microinverter：Smart


Module-level monitoring & Control

Microinverter：Saving


Lower Labor cost

Design, Installation and Debug（25%）

Less Accessories and smaller Installation Space（10-15%）

Maintenance：Barely maintenance/Emergency maintenance, professional staff unnecessary, troubleshooting point by point unnecessary, Equipment failure without interruption, Monitoring the real time systems power generation performance.

Microinverter：(Reliable Continous Output)


Unit failure only affect single unit

PO

WER

TIME

MICROINVERTER SYSTEM

Availability: >99.8%

PO

WER

TIME

STRING INVERTER SYSTEM

Availability: >95%

Long lifetime for microinverter

Microinverter: 10~25 years String inverter: 5 years

Warranty:

Microinverter：Powerful


No PV module mismatch

No short-board effect

Lower start voltage

Module Level MPPT Technology

MLPM

Continuous output

working

environment Compared with String inverter (Increase in harvest)

Shading ＞7-20%

Residential 15%

Commercial 10%

Microinverter：Powerful


System power is constrained

by the weakest panel All panels give the highest

power.

…and shading isn’t the entire story

Module Mismatch Impacts Every System

Shading & Obstruction

Non-linear Degradation

Temperature Difference

Soiling

Output Maximized Energy Harvest

String Inverter

APsystems Micro solution

84.2% 50%

90% 100% 90%

100%

50%

75%

90% 100% 90%

100%

50%

75%

String system performs at level of weakest panel

APsystems maximizes energy harvest (Average)

APsystems Product Family


APsystems MLPE Solutions

22

Storage System


23

Storage System

Microinverter


24

Storage System


25

Storage System


26

Storage System

APsystems On Grid Microinverter


Yera 2011

YC200 YC250

YC500

2012 2013

YC1000-3

Residential 1Kw – 10Kw

Small Commercial 10Kw – 100Kw

Mid-Large 100Kw – 2MW

YC500 Single Phase

Utility Scale > 2MW

Microinverter

Optimizer OPT700

APsystems – The MLPE Solutions

+ +

28

YC1000-3 Three Phase


Three Phase Microinverter – The first in the industry


Energy Communication Unit (ECU)

Energy Communication Unit (ECU)

Panel level Energy harvest monitoring

Gateway to the inverters

Uses PLC protocol

Data storage

Required for remote monitoring (EMA)

eSensor

Low cost and smart ammeter

System level Energy harvest monitoring

Instantaneous voltage/current/power value

tracing

Historical peak voltage/current value recording

Data storage and LCD display

31 Proprietary and confidential.

Property of APsystems.

As of 2016-3-15，APsystems Microinverter registered 20,956 system installations


Energy Management Analysis (EMA)

EMA – User Interface


EMA – User Interface (End User Version)


EMA – User Interface (Installer Version)


Main Chart Setting

EMA APP （iOS version)


Why APsystems?


Why APsystems Strong Player

Financial situation (2012-2015)

Tech leader in solar industry

Product offer and clear roadmap

Bankability Long term partnership Advanced technology

Why APsystems

More cost effective Better LCOE

Wider applications Best sales performance

High Technology

Microinverter advantages

Solution for all kinds of installation

Professional design for a lower cost

Featured Installation


APsystems in USA


APsystems in Australia


APsystems in the Netherlands


APsystems in Canada


APsystems in Mexico


Solar Windows in Condo Balcony


6mW Microinverter Project (YC500)


YC1000-3, the first 3-phase Microinverter system in the world, has been operating since Oct. 2013

49

YC1000-3: Carport Installation, 250kW


On grid on December 30th, 2014

50

YC1000-3 in Commercial, 2.1MW


Thank You for Your Attention!


YC500A-NA

• Y: Indicating as APsystems product family;

• C: connected to crystalline module, Mono/Poly;

• 500: the AC power output of inverter;

• A: daisy chain AC connector;

• NA: used in north America market.

The Definition of Product Name


53


54


55

System Overview (YC500)


56

End Cap

End Cable

• Micro-inverter--YC500A

• Energy Communication Unit—ECU (H/W)

• Energy Monitoring & Analysis System—EMA(S/W)

YC500A System Components


57

The APsystems Microinverter maximizes solar harvest by connecting to

individual solar modules, while performing DC-to-AC power conversions for

grid-compliance.

• Single phase

• Dual DC input

• Recommended PV Module Power Range-180~310W

• Rated output power：500W

• Maximum Units/Branch：7/20A@220V 4/20A@127V

• weight：2.5kg/5.5lbs

• Enclosure Rating：NEMA 6

• Communication Mode：PLC

• Design life: 25 Years

YC500A


58

The APsystems Communicator (Energy Communication Unit, or ECU)

collects module and micro-inverter performance data and sends it to

an Internet database.

• Gateway to the inverters/Internet

• Use PLC protocol

• Data storage (30Mega)

• Required for remote monitoring (EMA)

Energy Communication Unit(ECU)


59

Energy monitoring and analysis system allows customers to work anywhere

to monitor and manage PV systems, customers can through the computer /

smart phones and other smart devices to access the web page, you can

remotely login to manage your own PV system.

• Website：www.apsystemsema.com

• EMA APP(android & ios)

• ARRAY APP(android & ios)

• Power Watch(android)

Energy Monitoring & Analysis(EMA)


60

http://www.apsema.com/

Maximum parallel combination of micro-inverters：

• 5/branch for 15A circuit breaker



Maximum Output Current：2.27A

Maximum Unit/Branch-220V


61





Maximum Output Current：3.54A



62

YC500A Block Diagram


63

Communication Unit (PLC)

YC500A Schematic (power optimizer unit)


64


YC500A Schematic(DC-AC conversion unit)


65


YC500A Schematic(communication unit)


66


YC500A Schematic (control unit)


67


• AC Branch End Cable—1/Branch

6ft, 3 conductor, 12 AWG, 1000V, UL Certified, Insulation color: Red-Black-

White. Connector at one end – Bare wires at other end.

• Protective End Cap—1/Branch

Protect the AC connector, it is waterproof and dustproof.

Accessories


68

• One AC connection junction box per branch circuit

• Mounting hardware suitable for module racking

• Sockets and wrenches for mounting hardware

• Continuous Grounding conductor and grounding washers

• Phillips screwdriver

• Torque wrench

Installation Tools


69

• Do NOT connect APsystems

micro-inverter to the utility grid

or energize the AC circuit until

you have completed all of the

installation procedures as

described in the following

sections

WARNING


70

Installation Overview


71

1. Install an appropriate junction box at a suitable location on the PV racking

system (typically at the end of a branch of modules).

2. Connect the open wire end of the AC branch end cable into the junction box.

3. Wire the conductors: L1-RED; L2-BLACK; NEUTRAL-WHITE.

4. Connect the AC branch circuit junction box to the point of utility interconnection.

Install the AC branch circuit junction box


72

Wire Size，Units vs. allowed cable length (2% power loss)


73

WARNING


74

DO NOT mount the

microinverter in a location that

allows exposure to direct

sunlight.

Allow a minimum of 1.5cm

between the top of the

microinverter and the bottom

of the PV panel

1. Check the microinverter datasheet for the maximum allowable number of micro-inverter on one AC branch circuit.

2. Plug the AC female connector of the first microinverter into the male connector of the next microinverter, and so on, to form a continuous AC branch circuit.

Connect Microinverter AC Cables


75

Connect the DC cables from the PV modules to the microinverter as the diagram below:


76

Connect Microinverter to PV Modules


77

Completing the APsystems Installation Map


78

Energize PV System

1. Turn ON the AC circuit breaker on each microinverter AC branch circuit.

2. Turn ON the main utility-grid AC circuit breaker. Your system will start producing power after a five-minute waiting time.

3. The APsystems microinverter will start to send performance data over the power line to the ECU. The time required for all the micro-inverters in the system to report to the ECU will vary with the number of micro-inverter in the system.

Start up LED

When DC power is first applied to the microinverter, three short green blinks indicate a successful micro-inverter startup.

Operation LED

• Flashing Slow Green (10 sec. gap) – Producing power and

communicating with ECU.

• Flashing Fast Green (2 sec. gap) – Producing power but Not

communicating with ECU.

• Flashing Red – Not producing power

GFDI Error

A solid red LED indicates the microinverter has detected a ground fault in the PV system.

Status and Error Indicators


79

• Only qualified personnel should

directly handle the APsystems

microinverter.

• Never disconnect the DC wire

connectors under load. Ensure that no

current is flowing in the DC wires prior

to disconnecting.

• Always disconnect AC power before

disconnecting the PV module wires

from the APsystems microinverter

WARNING


80

127V Single Phase Wiring Diagram


81

220V Split-Phase Wiring Diagram


82

127V/220V Three-Phase Wiring Diagram


83


85

System Overview

YC1000 120/208V 3-Phase Wiring


86

YC1000 Schematic


87

Communication Unit (Zigbee)

• Microinverter—YC1000

• Energy Communication Unit—ECU-3Z

• Energy Monitoring & Analysis System--EMA

YC1000 System/Components


88

The APsystems Microinverter maximizes solar harvest by connecting to individual

solar modules, while performing DC-to-AC power conversions for grid-

compliance.

• Three phase

• 4 independent DC input

• Recommended PV Module Power Range：180~310W

• Rated output power：1000W

• Maximum Uints/Branch：4/15A@208V 11/15A@480V

• Weight：3.8kg/8.4lbs

• Enclosure Rating：NEMA 6

• Communication Mode：Wireless Zig-bee

• Design life: 25 Years

YC1000


89

Energy Communication Unit ECU-3Z


90


collects module performance data and sends it to an Internet database.


• Use Zigbee protocol

• Data storage



91












92




Nominal Output Current：2.5A*3



93




Nominal Output Current：1.08A*3


• AC Trunk Cable: 1/Branch

5 conductor, 14 AWG, 1000V, UL Certified, Insulation color: Red-Black-Pink-

White-Green. The gap between T Connector and T Connector is 2 meters.

• End Cap—1/Branch

Weather proof termination cap with tamperproof lock. Locks onto AC Trunk

Cable.

• Sealing Cap

Sealing Cap used to protect unused T connector。


94

Accessories


96

System Overview


97

Power interface

ECU Introduction

RS232 Serials ports

Ethernet Port

Standard USB Port

Reset button


98


collects module performance data and sends it to an Internet database.


• Use PLC protocol

• Data storage


• Wireline and wireless

Energy Communication Unit(ECU)


99












100

Installation site Environment requirements:

1. With a standard AC power outlet.

2. reliable broadband network connections.

3. with Ethernet interface router / switch.

4. With a view APS energy monitor and analyzer browser.

5. the energy communicator avoids from dirt, liquids, and gases

with acidic or corrosive objects.

6. Environmental temperature should meet -40 ℃ to + 65 ℃.

Installtion


101

Step 1：

Loosen the back two M3 screws to tighten the screw after rotating the stent

over.

Distribution cabinet installation


102

Step 2：

Loosen the back two energy communications M3 screws to tighten the screw

after rotating the stent over.

Distribution cabinet installation


103

1. Follow the dimensions shown, by two walls with screws or wall

anchors the ECU fixed to the wall (not included in the kit)

2. Insert the screw holes align ECU back fixing screws installed in the

previous step, and then the energy of the communicator into the

securing screws.

Wall mounting


104

• Connect the supplied power cable to the power connection port on the

bottom of the ECU.

• Connect the supplied LAN cable to the network port on the bottom of the

ECU.

Interface Introduction


105

Option 1：Direct LAN cable connection

• Make sure the LAN cable is connected to the network port on the

bottom of the ECU.

• Connect the LAN cable into a spare port on the broadband router.

Internet Connection


106

Option 2：WiFi Connection

Using the Built-in wireless communication module of ECU to connect.

Internet Connection


107

Hotspot


108

Make sure to use a dedicated

outlet for the ECU. Do NOT plug

any other devices into the same

outlet as the ECU.

Do NOT plug the ECU into a

power strip, surge protector, or

uninterruptable power supply

(UPS). The surge suppression

and/or filtering on these sorts of

devices will substantially diminish

PLC performance.

WARNING


109

Once power is supplied to the ECU, it automatically steps through a

series of initialization screens on its LCD display.

ECU Initialization Sequence


110

Initialization Interface

Start Interface


111

• Waiting user to enter the inverter IDs on local web. Alternate

displaying 1 and 2 for every 5 seconds:。

• Operation interface. Alternate displaying 3 and 4, for every 1 minute.

Operation Interface


112


113

Step 2：ECU setting time zone and time

Due to the time zone of each place and at different times, it is

necessary to start the machine after the ECU set the correct time

zone and time.

Step 3：Create EMA Account

ECU shown as +Web, please contact the installer or APsystems,

EMA account, After registering EMA accounts, we can monitoring

PV system.

Initial Setting


114

Menu Structure

• You can access the ECU’s menu by pressing and holding the Menu

Button on the side of the ECU for 2 seconds.

Basic Operation

Note: Please operate under the guidance of technical staff!


115

Restore the factory set operation

For the ECU restoring the factory set, simply press the “Reset” button

for three seconds or longer, ECU will automatically return to the default

settings.

Basic Operation


116

Troubleshooting: IP address of failure

3、LCD Display “!”:

The number of installed units doesn’t match the microinverter-count.

This may indicate that the ECU is having difficulty communicating over

the power lines. It could also be caused by low light levels, resulting in

module voltage that is too low for the microinverter to power up.

Basic Operation

EMA Login Page


118 www.apsystemsema.com

http://www.apsystemsema.com/

EMA Account Level


119

EMA Account

End Customer Account

Installer Account

Distributor Account


Installer Account




120

Dashboard

Installer Account


121

Module Performance

Installer Account


122

Performance Curve

Distributor Account


123

Customer Page

ATTENTION


124

• Only Installer/Distributor

account have the right to

register end customer

account on EMA systems.

• Customer information（Warranty Card ）

Name

Address

Email

Username & Password

• ECU UID

• UID of each microinverter

• Installation Layout Drawing

Required Information


125

End Customer Registration Process


126

Login Installer/Distributor

Account Basic Information Input UID of ECU

Input UID of Microinverter

Complete Module Layout

Upload Installation

Drawing

Finish Registration Accurate Input

Login EMA


127

• Login：http://www.apsystemsema.com

• Input：Username

• Input：Password

• Click：Login

http://www.apsystemsema.com/

EMA APP


128


129

Thank You for your Attention !

mlpe - module level power electronics maximum power … · 2016-06-03 · solar power→dc power dc...

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