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  • PV Solar systems

    Solar parks represent a pivotal aspect of renewable energy infrastructure, varying in scale and application to meet diverse energy demands. Together, these solar park configurations play a vital role in driving the transition towards sustainable energy systems. 

Challenges for PV parks: Reliable and high-quality energy supply

Due to their dependency on weather conditions such as shading, temperature, or even rain or snow the energy output of solar parks varies over time. To ensure a stable power grid, it is inevitable to closely monitor and analyze energy supply as well as power quality.

  • Fluctuations of voltage and frequency
  • Harmonics
  • Active and reactive energy monitoring
  • Status of critical instruments and environmental conditions

    • Voltage and frequency fluctuations at the interconnected power grid are caused by the volatility of renewable energy resources, due to ever-changing weather conditions. In the low-voltage grid, voltage fluctuations are caused by rapid fluctuations in the PV system power output due to cloud transients. The larger the number of photovoltaics systems, the more important it is.

      Voltage fluctuations and flicker can cause damage to electrical devices connected to the grid, and light flicker can cause annoyance and health problems for people who are exposed to it.

    • Harmonics are induced by power electronic devices utilized in renewable energy generation.

      When the penetration level of renewable energy is high, the influence of harmonics can be significant.

    • In addition to power quality monitoring, the performance monitoring of the energy generation is the key factor.

      In control systems, the operator usually only sees the total power input and output, but not in which area of the park the most or the least power is generated.

    • Integrating PV system to the utility grid increases the risk of a short circuit in the grid. Short circuit faults occur due to faults in the voltage channels caused by either direct or indirect contact. The short circuit endangers human safety, leads to power supply failures and damage to equipment.

      Once a circuit breaker or main circuit breaker (MCB)’s trips, the reset is possible, and production continues. However, it is important to know and analyze the cause to avoid major damage and downtime.  

      It is also important to record the environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity that may have an impact.

Benefits of PV monitoring

  • Photovoltaics serve as a renewable source of energy. Yet, in order to maximize the efficiency and quality of the energy produced by PV systems, close monitoring of the entire system is essential.

    With Janitza’s EPMS solutions you gain several advantages: 

    Solar energy production monitoring: Maximize your solar power production  

    • PV monitoring provides insights into the electricity output of your solar panels (kWh). Additionally, it maintains a record of the cumulative power generated over time, enabling historical performance analysis and comparison with past readings to identify any fluctuations between different time periods.
    • Every inverter comes equipped with a built-in production monitoring feature.

    Grid export / import monitoring: Understand fluctuations in your energy bill

    • PV monitoring reveals the amount of electricity your solar panels export to the grid, and how much they import from it, offering insight into any earned or utilized credits.
    • This feature is especially beneficial for those with net metering agreements, enabling precise tracking of solar panel-generated power allocation during each billing period.

  • Solar energy consumption monitoring: Increase your solar self-consumption

    • PV monitoring allows you to observe the utilization of solar energy after production. By tracking consumption patterns throughout the day, you can adjust your habits to optimize the use of solar-generated energy and reduce costs.

    Advanced system monitoring: Get the complete overview and analysis

    • Advanced third-party monitoring systems and applications use smart algorithms to interpret consumption and performance data and deliver it in a practical, actionable way. They allow you to get more value from your solar system and give you a more comprehensive view of your energy profile.  
    • High-quality monitoring systems are equipped to determine the expected performance levels of your panels and inverter. By utilizing local weather data, these systems have the capability to detect instances of poor or nil output from your solar system, promptly notifying the operator.
    • Good monitoring systems offer comprehensive user input options for electricity rates, including daily supply charges, time-of-use tariffs, weekday versus weekend rates, solar feed-in tariffs, and more. They might analyze available energy plans in the market and automatically identify the optimal plan for your needs.

Applications for PV parks

Janitza electronics provides basic energy analyzers suitable for seamless retrofit integration into existing facilities, alongside comprehensive monitoring solutions designed for new projects. Key focus is the energy and power quality monitoring for the most common standards.

Janitza devices are designed for the central applications and functions in the PV for on-grid and off-grid measurements, such as measurement and monitoring for active / reactive power, voltage regulations and optional monitoring and communication with local smart logger or local visualization. Depending on the size of the PV park different applications need to be installed:

Differences of large, medium and local PV parks

  • Large PV parks, typically ranging into MW capacity, serve as significant contributors to grid-scale renewable energy generation, employing advanced technologies for optimal performance. Typical applications in large-scale PV parks can be:

    • Power quality measurement for transformer stations
    • Monitoring of power generation and feedings with GridVis® power grid monitoring software
    • Voltage regulations with UMG PRO device
    • Power factor measurement & monitoring
    • Communication with general control systems and monitoring software

  • Medium-sized PV parks, with capacities between 30 kW and 800 kW, offer adaptable solutions with both on-grid and off-grid capabilities, catering to various industrial, commercial, and community needs. Typical applications for private and commercial park operators are:

    • Local power quality measurement for active / reactive power
    • Voltage regulations with UMG PRO device
    • Communication with general control systems and monitoring software
    • Power factor measurement & monitoring

  • On a smaller scale, local PV systems ranging from 10 kW to 30 kW provide accessible on-grid and off-grid options, ideal for decentralized energy generation in residential areas or remote locations. At these locations, typical applications are:

    • Local power quality measurement for active / reactive power
    • Voltage regulations with UMG PRO device
    • Energy and power measurements
    • Visualization through device homepage in the PRO series devices (No EMS software needed)
    • Power factor measurement & monitoring

Janitza solutions for the solar industry

  • Products
  • GridVis® Software
  • Services

    • Janitza provides specific products for each application - ensuring the best performance of your system.

      • Cooperation with global inverter manufacturers that support Janitza devices
      • Power & energy monitoring in one device
      • Modularly expandable devices - optional
      • Programmable smart devices - optional
      • Web server integration - optional
      • Easy integration into new or existing energy management systems (EMS)
      • Direct integration of other sensors (instruments)
      • Low power options for current transformers (CT)
      • Residual current monitoring (RCM) - optional
      • Long-life design
      • Simple integration into panels and boards
      • High accuracy class for measurement available up to class 0.1%
      • Customized remote access to maps for multi locations
      • Easy extension to accommodate additional devices.
      More Information

    • The power grid monitoring software GridVis® gives the user full control.

      • Customized design of dashboards
      • Free templates for widget integration
      • Tutorials for integration and e-learning
      • Global access to server systems (Cloud)
      • Integration of environmental sensors, mechanical energy meters
      • Carbon emissions analysis
      • Customized report editor
      • KPI manager
      • Alarm manager
      • Power quality analysis for health check
      • Energy reports with multi-tariffs
      More Information

    • With Janitza’s numerous practice-oriented services, you will always have an eye on your energy measurement technology.

      • Service and support through local certified partners
      • From tender phases early FEED status
      • Detail engineering and material supply
      • Commissioning and after sales services
      • Operation & maintenance service by partners
      • Power quality analysis by certified experts
      More Information

Suitable products

UMG 103-CBM

UMG 103-CBM

Measurement and control of electrical characteristics in energy distribution systems.

Details
UMG 604-PRO

UMG 604-PRO

Records energy and power quality data and has its own device website for easy data retrieval.

Details
UMG 96-PA-MID+

UMG 96-PA-MID+

Reliably records energy and power quality values, is modularly expandable, and has MID certification.

Details
UMG 512-PRO

UMG 512-PRO

Standard-compliant recording of the power quality according to EN 50160 and EN 61000-4-30 on the front panel.

Details
UMG 96 RM Series

UMG 96 RM Series

Up to 92 current measurement inputs and easy integration into higher-level systems (e.g. BMS) for convenient energy management.

Details
GridVis®

GridVis®

The ISO 50001-certified GridVis® offers all the functions you need for standard-compliant energy management.

Details

Further information

Services

Services

From technical consulting in the planning phase to trainings and seminars to installation and maintenance services – Janitza is your competent partner throughout your projects.

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Energy Management for a Safari Lodge

Energy Management for a Safari Lodge

Electricity does not come "from the socket", from the grid, everywhere in the world. Learn more.

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Load management service

Load management service

360-degree service – We are here for you, guiding you every step of the way to your own load management solution.

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