Abstract
Small grid-connected photovoltaic systems up to 5 kWp are often not
monitored because advanced surveillance systems are not economical.
Hence, some system failures which lead to partial energy losses stay
unnoticed for a long time. Even a failure that results in a larger
energy deficit can be difficult to detect by PV laymen due to the
fluctuating energy yields. Within the EU project PVSAT-2, a fully
automated performance check has been developed to assure maximum
energy yields and to optimize system maintenance for small grid-connected
PV systems. The aim is the early detection of system malfunctions
and changing operating conditions to prevent energy and subsequent
financial losses for the operator. The developed procedure is based
on satellitederived solar irradiance information that replaces on-site
measurements. In conjunction with a simulation model the expected
energy yield of a PV system is calculated. In case of the occurrence
of a defined difference between the simulated and actual energy yield,
an automated failure detection routine searches for the most probable
failure sources and notifies the operator. This paper describes the
individual components of the developed procedureâthe satellite-derived
irradiance, the used PV simulation model, and the principles of the
automated failure detection routine. Moreover, it presents results
of an 8-months test phase with 100 PV systems in three European countries.
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