Data Driven Quality Assurance of PV Power Plants

At Fraunhofer ISE, we have many years of experience with PV power plants - including those whose yields fall short of expectations. The reasons for reduced yields are complex and often not easy to identify. They can lie in the modules and their interconnection as well as in the inverters.

We support the solar industry in the development of quality assurance concepts and damage analyses and carry out analyses and measurements in all phases of a power plant concept - from development to operation and repowering.

One focus of our research is the development of methods for automated fault detection. To this end, we have transferred our experience together with the industry into an analysis tool with which we can automatically identify typical problems in data streams coming from the system.

In addition to solar parks and rooftop systems, we are also expanding and optimising our measurement methods and analysis tool for integrated PV applications. This includes in particular the monitoring of agri-PV, floating PV and noise barriers.

Fraunhofer ISE covers a wide range of digitalization solutions in today’s and tomorrow’s PV systems:

Intelligent PV Monitoring

Data-driven Soiling Analysis

Digital Twinning

Quality Assurance of PV Systems - Field Inspection

Efficient and reliable detection of malfunctions and energy losses is essential for reducing costs and guaranteeing successful operation. By promptly identifying issues, timely corrective actions can be taken to minimize downtime and maintain optimal performance. This proactive approach helps to extend the lifespan of the PV system, maximize energy production, and ultimately increase return on investment for solar energy projects.

PV Systems Performance Monitoring

Fraunhofer ISE monitoring system is particularly suited for highly innovative PV projects and technologies: Floating PV, Agri-PV, infrastructure-PV, novel PV applications (i.e. new PV module technologies, innovative PV systems design, etc.)

Our services comprise:

• support in sensor selection
• KPI definition
• installation & operation
• data evaluation
• web-platform for data visualization (widget based, highly customizable)
• secure data transport and storage on Fraunhofer ISE servers
   

Enhanced Intelligent Monitoring

Automated fault detection offers a dependable solution for identifying failures and energy losses in PV systems. By continuously monitoring system performance and utilizing advanced algorithms, it can quickly detect anomalies and pinpoint the source of issues. This proactive approach allows for swift corrective action, reducing downtime and ensuring optimal system operation.

For this purpose, multiple methods have been created to:

• identify shading events using artificial intelligence
• determine of operating states (i.e. open circuit, inverter outage)
• compare current and historical Performance Ratio (PR)
• assess modeled vs. measured energy
• compare inverters performance (DC current, PR)
• determine energy losses due to soiling
• calculate Performance Loss Rate over long-term operation

These techniques have been thoroughly validated using a portfolio of more than a hundred commercial PV systems.
 

Development of artificial intelligence and deep-learning based algorithms

Within the PV O&M context, the development of AI and deep-learning based algorithms is a groundbreaking approach to enhance performance and efficiency. Fraunhofer ISE offers customized algorithm development as part of research projects tailored to clients' needs. These advanced algorithms analyze vast amounts of PV system data to identify patterns and trends, optimizing system performance and automating decision-making processes. By continually adapting and evolving, AI and deep-learning algorithms play a vital role in advancing solar energy operations and management.
 

Benchmarking Fault Detection Algorithms

Fraunhofer ISE can assess the client’s own algorithms by contrasting their results with those of other algorithms tackling the same problem

Soiling detection in PV systems is crucial to optimize energy output, prevent losses, and extend lifespan.

Data-driven soiling determination

Using a variety of algorithms (either state-of-the-art from research or Fraunhofer ISE custom developments), experts examine the results to guarantee accuracy and trustworthiness. If necessary, the process includes obtaining and analyzing meteorological data or satellite images.
 

Sensor based soiling measurements

Our soiling measurement service includes designing a tailored measurement concept, selecting the appropriate sensors, and conducting thorough results analysis. This comprehensive approach ensures the most effective solution for project specific needs.

IEC 61724-1:2021compliant
 

On site soiling determination through PV array IV curve measurements

Together with international experts in the field, Fraunhofer ISE edited an IEA PVPS report on the topic: Soiling Losses – Impact on the Performance of Photovoltaic Power Plants - IEA-PVPS
 

Determination of best time to clean based on soiling results and economic consideration

The digital twin is based on Fraunhofer’s Zenit^TM platform. This Python-based electrical PV simulation tool has been used on a day-to-day basis to provide scientific quality bankability analyses for project developers, investors, EPCs, and many different industrial partners along the solar power value chain. Furthermore, it is regularly developed and validated in research projects, showing a high degree of flexibility in terms of the types of solar power plants capable of being accurately simulated.

The aim of the digital twinning methodology is to provide a baseline performance calculation to help identify deviations from expected behaviour. Utilizing this information, unusual reductions in output power that might be linked to unexpected component faults or degradation can inform maintenance measures such as cleaning or repair. Furthermore, the twin’s forecasting module provides predicted yield for a coming 3-day period based on locally available weather forecasts.

Fraunhofer ISE offers quality assurance services for comprehensive, customized quality assurance services for photovoltaic systems.

• In-field testing and measurements, including visual inspection and IV curve tracing
• Image-based inspection methods, such as thermography and electroluminescence
• Performance evaluation