Smart Monitoring Solutions for Solar Panels

For this project, NWC partnered with a client that generates and sells electricity serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The requirement to monitor the amount of electricity produced by 88,000 solar panels with a power generation capacity of 28 MW/h in a field size of 700 x 700 meters challenged the customer. The initial idea was a 13-kilometer wired optical network; over 1 billion yen cost defined the approach as expensive and impractical. Therefore, the client needed a wireless gateway solution to communicate between the site and the monitoring center.

The project focused on designing a solar power monitoring system to meet the following conditions:

1. Cost-effectiveness
2. Durability
3. Wireless communication
4. Flexible Data acquisition (IOs and PLCs)

Network Corporation

NWC specializes in providing automation solutions for buildings.

Service: (Building Management System) A full range of iNBIS functions are available at one stop, thereby providing an ideal system. From the top-level PC to the bottom-level wireless sensors, all devices have built-in communication functionality and CPUs. Applications are prepared in advance, and a one-stop comprehensive management system can be constructed with Plug & Play, where the communication settings are automatically configured among the devices.

The ADAM-3600 was selected to monitor the power generated from the solar panels as it met the client's criteria. The ADAM-3600 collects power generation data from the solar panels and sends the collected data to the cloud using LTE communication. Eighteen units of ADAM-3600 with three programmable logic controllers connect all the solar panels.

ADAM-3600 intelligent Remote Terminal Unit is durable and can withstand temperatures between -40°C to 70°C. Additionally, the monitoring system supports wireless communication such as LTE and WiFi. A stable, private, secure, and cost-effective wireless network enables accessible communication for data gathering and collection from solar panels. The remote management system also allows gathering data from numerous IOs and PLCs, helpful in integrating the system. The real-time monitoring gives live information which alerts the team in case of any abnormalities.

• [Data Management - Real Time Data]
  

  The application provided real-time updates directly from the site on the power generated.

• [Cost Reduction - Connectivity]

• Totaling up a considerable cost saving of 1 billion yen compared to installing a wired optical network.