Monitoring solar module’s performance with string level voltage module inverter

This article enlightens upon ways to optimise solar panels and modules for quick installations, with easy and self-maintenance techniques even during critical conditions. 

So far, India has made rapid progress toward solar energy, with the widespread adoption of solar panels and rooftop solar. To support India’s renewable energy ambitions, panel and solar module manufacturers are innovating new, dependable, and affordable materials for solar panels and solar cells. With a strong emphasis on renewable energy targets, the solar sector’s approach has been to impose measures by increasing investments in renewable energy innovations, particularly in India’s affordable and low-maintenance solar modules and solar cells. Efforts to boost domestic manufacturing of solar modules and solar cells are expected to increase in the coming years following the government’s imposition of BCD on imported solar modules and solar cells. As a result, this tax imposition is viewed as a boon and an opportunity to increase domestic manufacturing and localisation of solar products in India and focus heavily on exports.

 New materials and technologies in solar PV modules 

We have witnessed a material and technology revolution in the solar PV module manufacturing segment. Tracing the evolution of poly modules to mono full-cut and half-cut modules to HJT reveals an increasing emphasis on efficiency and aesthetics. Bharat Bhut, Co-founder & Director, Goldi Solar, comments, “There will be a significant evolution in cell manufacturing over the next three to five years.” Currently, p-type mono PERC cells are the most abundant. All of these will begin to migrate to n-type TOPCon and heterojunction cells. Along with efficiency, module and cell sizes and the number of busbars is increasing. Indian companies are developing new M10-M12 technologies to generate more power in smaller areas. According to Siddharth Gangal, CEO of The Solar Labs, “by incorporating a solar panel monitoring system into your setup, you can measure how much electricity your panels generate on any given day, as well as how much they generate over time.” This allows you to investigate how external factors affect your panels’ performance and how well they retain their efficiency over time. The monitoring system will notify you if a panel breaks or malfunctions, allowing you to repair or replace it. In addition to what Siddharth mentioned above, Bharat explains that the quality of the bill of materials has changed, with higher-grade materials being used. He then gives an example of how the back sheet and junction box material has changed. New materials for photovoltaics have been developed on the semiconductor side, such as cadmium telluride and perovskites.

 Efficient practices for solar panel and rooftop solar installation and maintenance 

A good O&M programme increases the likelihood of a system operating at or above its expected output rate and costs over time. As a result, it increases confidence in an asset’s long-term performance and revenue potential. Bharat emphasises the importance of performing periodic maintenance activities at least once a year to ensure efficiency and optimal performance from solar panels. This number, however, may vary depending on the type of site. According to Bharat, “a manufacturing facility may require multiple service visits, whereas a system installed on a college campus may only require one annual visit.” Utility projects may necessitate ongoing maintenance and repairs. To eliminate any errors, a strict checklist must be followed. Cleaning the modules properly should be done twice a week. This includes the module’s bottom side, which has silver-coloured busbars. We must ensure that the cleaning is done only at night. The string level voltage module, inverter (EOC and IOC), and the AC side connections must be continuously monitored. This will help determine whether the modules’ performance is adequate. 

On the other hand, Siddharth describes a simplified process for cleaning and maintaining solar panels and modules, emphasising that it is time-consuming for the user. It ensures that the solar cells receive the maximum insolation and are not obstructed. Clean solar panels are required to maximise energy output. Cleaning the glass on the panels is a simple task that can be repeated depending on how much debris has accumulated. You can use a gentle cloth to clean the panels or a biodegradable soap to wash the rag. If all you’re dealing with is dust, you can spray the panels with water. 

In agreement with Siddharth’s panel cleaning and maintenance recommendations, Bharat considers, “We must never clean the modules during the daytime or generate time from 7 am to 6 pm.” It is necessary to investigate the possibility of hiring a dedicated cleaning agency to take care of solar assets to generate more power. Using advanced robotics for cleaning and preprogramming cleaning hours with timers can make a difference.

 However, dry cleaning with microfiber is preferable to wet cleaning because it saves water and lowers cleaning costs. Advanced data analytics tools and AIdriven technologies will soon become indispensable in a rapidly evolving competitive space.

 When it comes to solar technology advancements, it is clear that automation, IT, and IoT-enabled solutions are changing the face of the renewable energy industry, particularly solar maintenance activities. Manoj Gupta, VP-Solar and Waste to Energy Business, Fortum India, agrees, “IT-enabled solutions and robotic/waterless cleaning technology are making operation and maintenance more efficient and safer.” 

Innovations in solar modules and solar cells 

Technological innovations in solar modules and cells have evolved in India over the last few years. These technological advancements primarily revolve around obtaining maximum power generation and distribution efficiency. India has been making strides in increasing the efficiency of our solar cells. Furthermore, let’s look at the trends taking over the demand in the solar cells and module business. They are bifacial solar modules, half-cut, and monocrystalline PERC modules. 

Further, Manoj highlights that “Solar cell and module developers keep looking for ways to maximise PV panel efficiencies. The decreasing cost of storage solutions, along with that of rooftop solar solutions, is likely to change the future of the Indian power sector and will help the country transition to sustainable solutions.” The market is coming up with various technologies made up of Multi and Mono Crystalline. There is an evolution in Inverter technologies as well, which are the driving force of the Solar sector.

 Despite various serious challenges, India has emerged as a hot-selling solar industry. People are interested in installing rooftop solar systems, but many are uninformed of their full potential and are sometimes put off by minor operating concerns or significant investment decisions. India’s ambition of achieving 100 GW of solar electricity by 2022 has sparked curiosity and scepticism. However, the even more far-reaching aspect is that 40 GW of this will be based on solar rooftop installations. 

 

The p-type mono PERC cells are predominantly gaining prominence in the solar business.
Bharat Bhut, Co-founder & Director, Goldi Solar

We should examine the impacts of external circumstances on the panels’ performance and how well they retain their efficiency over time.
Siddharth Gangal, CEO, The Solar Labs

The market is coming up with various technologies made up of Multi and Mono Crystalline.
Manoj Gupta, VP-Solar and Waste to Energy Business, Fortum India