An embedded microcontroller unit for PV module monitoring and fault detection

Paul Borza, Eleni Kaplani

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Citations (Scopus)
66 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper presents the architectural lay-out and functional design details of a microcontroller embedded electronic monitoring system (e-EMS). According to the design, this unit is integrated into the PV module junction box. It can be scaled up to form part of a complex PV power plant control system. The communication topology follows a 3-tier structure. It uses two processors, one dedicated for data acquisition and the other for communication purposes. The e-EMS provides a complete set of data associated to PV module performance characteristic parameters, including current and voltage of the PV module and each sub-string of cells, operation of the bypass diodes along with the corresponding current and voltage measurements, PV temperature and environmental parameters. The sampling rate can be programmed in a large range from 1 to 65s along with the number of samples used for averaging signal values. The power output is determined every hour, as a basic output of the system. Comparison of the determined values with the expected ones when normalized to the PV operating conditions provides reliable information on deviation trends, the degree of degradation that the PV module experiences, while the analysis of the sampled data may identify the cells or modules which experience degradation and disclose types of factors which affect their operation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication8th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications, ICRERA 2019
PublisherThe Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Pages557-562
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)2572-6013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Feb 2020
Event8th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications - Brasov, Brasov, Romania
Duration: 3 Nov 20196 Nov 2019
Conference number: 8th
https://www.icrera.org/

Publication series

Name8th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications, ICRERA 2019

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications
Abbreviated titleICRERA 2019
Country/TerritoryRomania
CityBrasov
Period3/11/196/11/19
Internet address

Keywords

  • embedded electronic monitoring system
  • DAQ
  • network topology
  • PV monitoring
  • PV degradation
  • Embedded electronic monitoring system
  • Network topology

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