Low cost DC lines PLC based photovoltaic plants parameters smart monitoring communications and control module

Abstract

Nowadays Photovoltaic (PV) plants have become significant investment projects with long term Return Of Investment (ROI). This is making investors together with operations managers to deal with reliable information on photovoltaic plants performances. Most of the information is gathered through data monitoring systems and also supplied by proper inverters in case of grid connected plants. It usually relates to series/parallel combinations of PV panels strings, in most cases, but rarely to individual PV panels. Furthermore, in case of huge dimensions PV plants, with different ground profiles, etc., should any adverse circumstances happen (panel failure, sudden shadowing, clouds, strong wind), it is difficult to identify the exact problem location. The use of distributed wired or wireless sensors can be a solution. Nevertheless, no one is problems free and all are significant cost. In this article is proposed a low cost DC Power Lines Communications (DC PLC) based PV plant parameters smart monitoring communications and control module. The aim is the development of a micro controller (uC) based sensor module with corresponding modem for communications through already existing DC plant power wiring as data transmission lines. This will reduce drastically both hardware and transmission lines costs.