New technology for localization and characterization of faults in solar panels
The purpose is to develop and demonstrate a new efficient and flexible technology for fault localization/-diagnosis in PV systems. The technology is aimed the growing PV service market. Measurements can be carried out at the string level, and O&M costs are minimized. At the same time performance is optimized and the cost of energy is lowered.
Project description
This project brings together a number of key players for the task of developing and demonstrating a new efficient technology for screening and characterization of faults in Photovoltaic (PV) systems and panels. The project focuses on a new impedance measurement technology. The technology meets the demands on the growing PV service market. Globally there is installed about 150 GW of PV capacity (575 MW in Denmark) and the global trend is high growth rates in coming years (see annex 1, EPIA).
It is widely recognized within the PV O&M industry that faults are particular difficult to localize in systems, and that that state-of-the-art instruments must be applied on individual panels to find faults. The Danish GreenTech entrepreneur EmaZys Technologies ApS, has therefore developed a technology and an instrument (to the prototype stadium), that allows fast location of faults in strings of PV panels. The instrument is connected at the terminals of the system, and measurements are carried out at an easily accessible position. The method works with different levels of solar irradiation and with all types of PV panels. Currently the alternative is to measure the electrical output power of individual panels in full daylight, in order to find the position of faults, which is inefficient and costly.
In the project we will develop and demonstrate a functional version of the measurement instrument. The instrument can measure and analyse electrical data. The technical development will be focused at building mathematical models for data analysis software. A number of challenges regarding the electronic design will also be solved in the project.
The instrument will firstly be developed and optimized in a laboratory setting with simulated sunlight and reference instruments. We then proceed and conduct a full-scale demonstration of the instrument and the method for strings of panels installed in the field. Demonstration will take place on ground mounted and building integrated PV systems, to demonstrate the full spectrum of industrial applications. The technology certainly also applies for large ground mounted PV systems. Therefore we can also address the global PV O&M market where many systems in the MW range are found.
In March 2012 a new Energy Agreement was reached in Denmark. This agreement focuses on bringing Denmark closer to a target of 100% renewable energy by 2050. Wind power and renewable energy in buildings have high priority in the agreement. This project supports the Danish energy policies in a direct manner since we focus on delivering a solution that reduces service costs especially for residential PV systems. This will reduce the total cost of energy for PV, which in turn supports the spread of this environmentally friendly energy technology. At the same time we can create a new business, that has a solid export potential and we can enhance export of Danish knowledge-based GreenTech solutions.
Key figures
Period:
2015 - 2016
Funding year:
2014
Own financial contribution:
2.41 mio. DKK
Grant:
5.40 mio. DKK
Funding rate:
69 %
Project budget:
7.81 mio. DKK
Participants
EmaZys Technologies ApS (Main Responsible)
Partners and economy
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| EmaZys Technologies ApS | 2,78 mio. DKK | 1,85 mio. DKK |
| Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | 2,38 mio. DKK | 0,32 mio. DKK |
| Eniig Forsyning A/S | 0,24 mio. DKK | 0,24 mio. DKK |
