Method to Improve PV System Performance Monitoring

Within the solar energy industry, there is a general motto of "install it and forget it " for solar energy. This idea is largely derived from the research and reliability studies performed on the PV panels themselves but not the PV system as a whole (including inverters and other components). Other PV system components such as inverters contribute to a significant amount of power loss and the losses may vary based on different models of inverters. This technology relates to a method that can reduce measurement errors and achieve normalization among inverters used in PV systems in line with Class A of the updated IEC 61724-1 standard  With this method, the inverter-induced error can be reduced by up to 4.46%. The technology owner is looking for licensing partners to commercialize the test method.

• Improved data accuracy for solar panel testing systems
• Minimal equipment required to conduct tests
• Flexible testing method applicable for either indoor or outdoor testing
• Up till 4.46% of inverter-induced uncertainty can be reduced
• Developed algorithm is in line with Class A IEC 61724-1:2017 : Photovoltaic system performance monitoring - Guidelines for measurement, data exchange and analysis

• Companies providing PV Performance Management System services
• PV Inverter manufacturers
• PV system integrators
• PV system installers
• PV system testers
• PV system consultants

• Improved accuracy of PV system parameters 
• IEC 61724-1 Class A  for PV monitoring system conformance provides a competitive advantage