Cloud-based analysis and diagnosis platform for photovoltaic (PV) prosumers

The adoption of solar panels is increasing. Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of private households, commercial buildings, manufacturing plants and farms. The effect from the solar panels can be improved if the solar panels are placed correctly. The project has developed a data collection device for solar panels. The device collects information from sensors, both environmental data and data about current positioning (direction and vertical angle). Data from the device is transferred to a cloud-based platform. This platform also retrieves information from the solar system's inverter and analyzes the overall data. The advantage of using a cloud-based service is higher processing capacity combined with the ability to adjust algorithms without having to update the control units. The analysis calculates optimal positions based on geographic location, time, meteorological conditions. Based on the analysis, the owner of the solar system receives information about adjustments that will optimize energy production. An important design goal was easy installation of the control unit. Owners of solar panels must be able to optimize their own return. Even small improvements for a single installation of solar panels can lead to significant impact when the results are aggregated at the community level. In addition to contributing to software design and hardware design, USN has investigated and proposed possible business models for the data collection device, such as offering optimization as a service. USN has also worked with the aggregator role as an opportunity to organize cooperation between owners of solar systems.

Vi har oppnådd de forventede virkninger og effekter. Vi har fått muligheten til å arbeide videre med aggregator-rollen, og har sett på nye muligheter for å organisere eiere av solcelleanlegg under en aggregator som kan forhandle med kraftselskapene om både priser og fleksibilitet. Vi har også sett på muligheten for en aggregator som leverandør av energilagring.

The project proposes a cost­ effective solution designed for small on­ grid photovoltaic­ (PV) systems, where the relevant on­ site data are collected, sent to a dedicated cloud platform to be processed, analyzed and diagnosed. The equipment will provide an easy on­site mounting, directly on the prosumer's installed photovoltaic system, without technical assistance. Once connected, it will start rapidly to collect and send data such as: meteorological, spatial photovoltaic system configuration, orientation and tilt, into the platform. All received data are automatically integrated and the output data are processed by means of algorithms. The mainly benefits of the PVADIP­C project are in terms of important time and money savings. The on­site sensors commissioning, data transfer to the PVADIP­C cloud platform, their processing, analysis and diagnosis are done fast and easy. As a project result, a smart, easy to use system will be obtained, which will ease the photovoltaics operation.It empowers prosumers to optimize their photovoltaic system benefits, e.g. for maximization of the photovoltaic generation usage when grid power injection is not allowed, maximizing their revenues or providing flexibility to the distribution system operator (DSO).