PV String Monitoring Solution

Electronic Cards for use in PV Combiner Box Applications

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Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

The goals of PV String Monitoring

– For the investor: to measure energy produced and forecasted revenues

– For the operator: to detect defects for maintenance

But most existing systems have huge limitations

• Precision is not good enough at inverter level

• Monitoring systems are proprietary

• Data interpretation is not easy

Need for high quality universal monitoring systems

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Pro-active maintenance

Optimized PV installation performance

Secured ROI, predictive revenues and reduced OPEX

Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

The advantages of string level monitoring

– Detection of problems as soon as they appear

– Precise localization of problems in the PV installation

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Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

Performance Ratio

Monitoring of operating conditions: T°, sun,…

Energy produced over time T

Energy expected over time TPerformance Ratio =

Monitoring of instantaneouselectrical parameters

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Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

A precise control of the installation from the PV field to the inverter

Communication Gateway (GPRS, Ethernet, …)

String Monitoringin the combiner box

Monitoring Software

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CurrentMean-PVString1

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Pyranomètre

Ens Modbus

Temp ext Modbus

Temp Cellule Modbus

Monitoring Software

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Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

Product Offering– Flexible, High Performance Solution

– Three Electronic Cards• MAIN Card• AUX Card• PROBE Card

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Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

Monitor 6 to 30 strings by connecting up to (4) AUX Cards to the MAIN Card

Monitor up to 8 external inputs (7 analog + 1 digital) by connecting the PROBE Card

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6 PV string inputs Max voltage: ± 1000 Vdc Max current: ± 25 A Precision: ± 0.5%

Autonomous power supply from PV strings 250Vdc to 1000Vdc string voltage Low power consumption: 4W @1000Vdc

Aux Card extension: up to 4 Aux. cards in parallel 6 strings monitored per card 6, 12, 18, 24 or 30 strings can be monitored by one single box

Probe Card extension: 1 digital sensor 7 analog sensors:

• 4-20mA, ±1% precision• 1-10V, ±1% precision

Communication: MODBUS on isolated RS485 (1.2km cable)

32bits microcontrollers Modbus Communication Measurement & data processing 16Mbit memory (6 months data storage worse case)

Diagnostic & control: 4 digital inputs 3 external relay control

Reliable operating range -40°C to +70°C operating temperature onboard temperature sensors (-40°C to +100°C ±2°C)

Integrated Bus Bar 150A combined output (two output terminals, 75A each)

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Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

Features and Benefits– Built-in Power Supply – Take power directly from the PV string.

Eliminates the need to purchase and install a separate power supply to power the monitoring device

– Accuracy – 0.5% precision

– Voltage and Current Measurement – Additional voltage measurement provides a greater level of detail and is required by some integrators

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Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

Features and Benefits– Flexible 6-String Device – Allows for greater flexibility (can be

configured for 6, 12, 18, 24 or 30 string boxes)

– Integrated Bus Bar – Combines strings into 1 or 2 outputs based on ampere rating. Eliminates the need for separate comb bus bar

– Increased Functionality – Option to connect up to 8 external sensors (anemometer, thermometer, sun sensor, etc…)

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Mersen PV String Monitoring Solution

Available Resources and Tools

ep-us.mersen.com

PowerPoint

Data Sheet

Installation Guide

Tech Topics

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ep-us.mersen.com

MAIN Card AUX CardPROBE Card