PLC - Model SSMAP - Solar Cell-String Monitoring & Analysis System

Monitoring terminals are installed in connection boxes*2 to measure each string’s current and voltage. A data collection device installed near the power conditioner collects data and compares relative data per string to achieve early detection of problems and to minimize loss of income from selling electricity.

While many mega solar power generation systems are recently constructed, early failure after installation of a large number of solar panels, their long-term performance degradation and failure caused by external factors will decrease the amount of power generated and electricity sold. Since a mega solar power generation system comprises tens to hundreds of thousands of solar panels, it is very difficult to detect which solar panels are deteriorating by the total amount of generated electricity alone. This is why this product is highly evaluated as an inexpensive monitoring system that can be easily installed to monitor and adjust the amount of electricity generated per string in real time.

For many years, we have developed the PLC (Power Line Communication) technology that enables data transmission via power lines, and we applied the PLC technology to this product using high-voltage (from 600 V to 1 KV or higher) direct current (DC) transmission cables installed in mega solar power generation systems as communication media.

Although the basic principle of the PLC is well known in the ITC field, we are the first to successfully commercialize this technology for environments in which high-voltage DC is applied and large noise is produced, such as in mega solar power generation systems.

This product utilizing this PLC technology has the following three features:

The PLC technology eliminates the need for installing dedicated communication lines because it uses power lines for data communication.

Our long-time accumulated PLC skills enable the construction of reliable systems that are extremely resistant to noise and temporary excessive rises in voltage and current caused by lightning (lightning surges).

Its compact size and clamp-type sensors enable installation in existing mega solar power generation systems.