An important part of any solar system is the ability to monitor electricity production in real time. Because panel output varies throughout the day, accurate and timely readings are essential for diagnosing problems and optimizing usage.
Solar Panel Energy Automation
Case Study from | CIMON
Sharp Corporation has been working with photovoltaics since 1959 and continues to produce new innovations for the global market. In 2011, a subsidiary company called Sharp Solar Solution Asia (SSSA) was established in Bangkok, Thailand. SSSA is now a leading provider of solar technology for the Pan Pacific region. Major projects have been completed in Vietnam, Mongolia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and other countries.
Recently, Thailand’s second-largest hypermarket operator, Big C, signed a contract with SSSA to build rooftop solar systems at 16 outlet locations. The installation was carried out in cooperation with Impact Solar, a Bangkok-based rooftop solar company, and was financed by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). The JCM is part of an ongoing effort to reduce global carbon emissions by funding the implementation of green energy technologies.
CIMON’S ROLE
SSSA chose to use CIMON’s UltimateAccess software, as well as CIMON’s PLC-S controllers, to help monitor and analyze the power data. UltimateAccess is a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) program which provides access to both small-scale details and large-scale overviews of automation systems, all from a PC or mobile device. PLC-S is a part of CIMON’s low-cost programmable logic controller (PLC) series with advanced processing and communication capabilities.
An important part of any solar system is the ability to monitor electricity production in real time. Because panel output varies throughout the day, accurate and timely readings are essential for diagnosing problems and optimizing usage. To meet this need, each solar station uses six CIMON PLC-S CPUs to read and process the raw data. This setup ensures fast and reliable measurements at every location.
The PLCs then transfer the data to UltimateAccess over a fiber-optic connection. This allows for ultra-low-latency access, even over long distances. From UltimateAccess, operators can view the instantaneous values of output and usage, as well as historical graphs for these quantities. The software is also used to calculate costs and savings over specific time periods, which helps in making important decisions about how and when to use energy. Furthermore, all the data can be securely viewed from any location, meaning Big C can monitor all of its stores without needing to send anyone on-site.
LOOKING FORWARD
Altogether, the panels generate up to 16 MW of power, for a cumulative total of about 21.7 GWh per year. Construction for the project began in July 2017 and was completed in March 2019. Since then, the solar arrays have saved Big C around $400 per day (~$140,000 per year). During peak production, unneeded electricity is sold to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), which distributes the energy to the surrounding grid. In addition to monetary savings, CIMON’s SCADA and PLC technologies have helped to provide greater stability and control for the sites. CIMON has also continued to work with SSSA to provide additional support and improvements for the system.
Thailand’s economy has grown significantly over the past few decades, and as a result, its energy requirements have increased as well. While Thailand does produce oil and natural gas, its reserves are expected to be depleted within the next decade, meaning alternative energy options must be pursued. Fortunately, Thailand has a very large potential for solar energy thanks to its geographical location. By 2036, Thailand is expected to produce 6,000 MW of electricity from solar panels alone. The Big C project and others like it are a major step forward in helping Thailand to reach energy independence. CIMON is proud to play a part in this process.
SSSA operates throughout Southeast Asia and provides a variety of solar solutions, ranging from PV arrays to complete project management and maintenance. For more information, please visit https://sssa.co.th
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
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