what if solar string monitoring was an affordable, temporary solution?

What If String Monitoring Was An Affordable, Temporary Solution?

Historical Problem of String Monitoring• It’s too expensive• Day to day monitoring not

particularly valuable…but periodic checkups make sense

• The real cost are the underperforming strings you don’t know about…

To compensate for lack of detailed string monitoring, owners look to:

– Zone monitoring at inverter inputs

• Problem: Lacks detail– Commissioning reports

• Problem: Just 1 point in time

Temporary string monitoring analyzes site data a few times

a year, at a fraction of the cost.

The goal?

Find issues behind underperformance.

Common Output Issues Found by String Monitoring

• Loose/broken/melted MC4 connectors

• Soiling/dirt accumulation• Module shading• Blown fuses• Cracked cells• Terrain effects

Cost of ONE Problem Per String

• $330/month per MW• Over 20-year lifecycle:

$80,000/MW

HOW SOLAR STRING ANALYSIS WORKS

Engineers set up temporary hardware next to combiner box

(non contact).

Split core current transformers (CT) measure current of each string, and are

installed without taking the site

offline.

Data collected in five minute intervals for at least one

clear sky day.

CTs moved to collect data from each plant combiner

box.

Combiner box data inputs

normalized and analyzed to

calculate impact to energy.

Report provided to owner outlining

underperformance components with

likely causes.

GOALS OF SOLAR STRING ANALYSIS

Calculate deep dive analysis on energy lost from underperforming strings

Provide proof for warranty claims

– Module hardware– EPC labor and

service

Outline specific location data and likely causes

Analyze and provide recommendations on DC health

SOLAR STRING ANALYSISCASE STUDY

Affinity Energy’s Rooftop• 30kw• 3 inverters• 4 strings per inverter• Net-metering

building electrical usage

What String Analysis Told Us• 1 string not operational

– Found melted MC4 connector

– Cost us $60/mo for 18 months

• 3 inverters affected by shading

• Repairs helped increase energy yield by 8%

We want to help owners make critical decisions about maintenance to achieve optimal financial fitness and ensure long

term plant viability.

Ultimately…

NEED A SOLAR STRING ANALYSIS QUOTE?

Adam Baker – Solar Specialistabaker@affinityenergy.com

704-766-2060 x135