Lesson 11 Discussion A Post original entry: In this lesson, we covered PV systems monitoring concepts. Based on previous discussions, we learned that PV systems classification can include more specific

market sector, such as: 1. Solar installation for rural off-grid application 2. Residential rooftop for grid-tied application 3. Utility Scale PV installations 4. Shared solar for communities 22 34 Based on the monitoring methods presented in the lesson, discuss which approach is more suitable for your systems. Support your choice of monitoring level with facts and references. Post comments: Respond to two different opinions of others' posts. (For example, if you choose Option 1, you need to respond to one post for Option 2 and another post for Option 3 or 4.) A Requirements, Submission Instructions, and Grading For more detailed instructions about the discussion component of this course, including how you will be graded, please visit the Discussion Activity page. Reid Wesleigh Wagner Wednesday ⠀ For utility scale PV installations, the size of the system can vary greatly. In NY, a large generator is greater than 20 MW; although, a small generator < 20 MW that can still elect to go through NYISO process for interconnection. As the lesson mentions, monitoring at the inverter or array level may be significantly more economical for larger systems than down at the string or module level. I believe having a robust O&M plan and monitoring platform is important for all systems, but the investment dollars. and stakes are higher for larger utility scale systems. Therefore, being able to monitor the system's performance against expectations, as well as, quickly 'diagnosing and remedying issues can increase profitability over the lifetime of a project. One article the website of 60Hertz (manufacturer of Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software), mentions some interesting technological developments in the monitoring space. For large PV installations, there are platforms to augment SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. Companies like Quadrical IA, Apollo Energy Analytics, Solar SCADA, and Spark Cognition, are all using Al and machine learning to monitor performance and detect anomalies. Although, it also states routine (at least annual) visits by the field technician(s) are still a critical element. Newer tools like drones and thermal cameras are available to detect irregularities that might otherwise be missed [1]. The DOE also has a resource page on PV monitoring which covers many of the different components and best practices for monitoring PV systems. While many of the features listed would be what I might expect from a monitoring system (performance analysis and reporting, errors/alarms, issue/maintenance tracking and ticket creation, and generating project documents) others like being able to sync with utility or real-time market data to generate revenue and/or cost savings data or reporting required documentation directly to the transmission owner/utility or ISO/RTO would be great features as well. Under the best practices section, maintaining "operational continuity" with data harkun and retrieval and cybersecurity PV installations, there are platforms to augment SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. Companies like Quadrical IA, Apollo Energy Analytics, Solar SCADA, and Spark Cognition, are all using Al and machine learning to monitor performance and detect anomalies. Although, it also states routine (at least annual) visits by the field technician(s) are still a critical element. Newer tools like drones and thermal cameras are available to detect irregularities that might otherwise be missed [1]. The DOE also has a resource page on PV monitoring which covers many of the different components and best practices for monitoring PV systems. While many of the features listed would be what I might expect from a monitoring system (performance analysis and reporting, errors/alarms, issue/maintenance tracking and ticket creation, and generating project documents) others like being able to sync with utility or real-time market data to generate revenue and/or cost savings data or reporting required documentation directly to the transmission owner/utility or ISO/RTO would be great features as well. Under the best practices section, maintaining "operational continuity" with data backup and retrieval and cybersecurity would be critical elements that didn't initially come to mind [2]. While O&M and system monitoring might not be as exciting to some people as project development and construction, it is area that I find interesting and critical to ensuring the system performs to the best extent possible over the lifetime of the project. References [1] 60Hertz. (ND). What to Know About These Solar Monitoring Systems. 60Hertz. https://60hertzenergy.com/smar-panel-monitoring-system/ [2] Federal Energy Management Program. (ND). Monitoring Platforms for Solar Photovoltaic Systems. U.S. Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/femp/monitoring-platforms-solar-photovoltaic- systems E Alvaro Acosta Urrea Yesterday For a shared solar system serving multiple customers/off-takers in a community, it is very important to have a granular but simple monitoring scheme. The Array monitoring may be a very compelling choice due to several factors like granularity since the array monitoring provide more detailed insights than inverter monitoring without the difficulty of monitoring each module individually. Array monitoring can also help to identify systemic issues that affect multiple modules of strings which is important in shared solar projects which often involve arrays distributed across different locations. On the other hand due to the granularity of array monitoring it provides good information without excessive, costs. The Community Solar Array at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) is a 1.2-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) array that is located on the university's campus. The array is owned and operated by Recurrent Energy, a solar energy developer, and it generates enough electricity to power about 200 homes. This project has an array monitoring system that monitors the performance of each individual string of solar panels. This data is used to identify any problems with the panels and to ensure that they are all operating efficiently. There is also a weather station that measures temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direction, and this data is used to predict how much electricity the array will generate. The power meter measures the amount of electricity that the array is generating. This data is used to track the array's performance and to ensure. that it is operating efficiently [1] SMA "Monitoring and Control" https://www.sma- solar.com/us/products/monitoring-control/E [2] "The IQ8 series Microinverter" https://enphase.com/homeowners/home-solar-systems Working with a residential rooftop grid tied system a module and inverter level monitoring system would be the most beneficial. This would allow for visibility into the most problematic components in the systems life time operations. Some platforms like Solar Edge allow for both of these monitoring needs to be deployed in the same system platform. As well as the ability to monitor the system at the strings. The PV monitoring platform provides enhanced PV performance monitoring and yield assurance through immediate fault detection and alerts at the module level, string level and system level. [1] Having the ability to see in depth data on the various components in your system allows for more remote troubleshooting. Which in turn would lower operation and maintenance costs throughout the life of the system. The solar Edge platform also doesn't require extra components to monitor these data points and is housed in the internal workings of the inverter. Overall, each level of monitoring mentioned in the lesson would be beneficial to the residential rooftop system and would be the most cost effective through the Solar Edge configuration. Simon George Ivey Sunday [1] https://www.solaredge.com/uk/products/pv-monitoring Reply 3