PES Solar 2016 Issue 29

PES ESSENTIALCustomer Applications Bisanti’s primary economic focus is Acandi, an area that is mainly jungle on the agriculture and smaller commercial Caribbean Sea, bordering Panama.Bisanti, Nigeria Micro Grid businesses serving local residents. In addition, the community maintains a This region is located in a remote area ofBisanti is a landlocked farming community school, health centre, security force posts, the country that is not tied to an electricalin the Katcha region of Nigeria’s Niger state as well as mosques. The major challenge grid. What electricity residents do havein Africa. The community is approximately facing socio-economic development in access to, but for only a few hours a day, isone hour away from the major metropolitan Bisanti is the lack of affordable electricity for provided by diesel generators. Through itsareas of the capital city Minna, and about these residential and commercial facilities. Ministry of Mines and Energy, the20 minutes away from Bida, the country’s government of Colombia issued a mandatesecond largest city. The remote proximity of Microgrid Overview: to expand the availability of electricity tothe community to any major metropolitan these remote areas by building five solarareas makes it unable to connect to the • Number of Residents: 200 clients hybrid installations, or microgrids, inmain power grid. (residential and commercial) Acandi. Trojan’s Industrial Line of batteries, with Smart Carbon, was installed as theIn July 2015, GVE Projects Ltd in • System Capacity: 24 kWp energy storage solution for all fivecollaboration with the Bank of Industry microgrids, totalling 288 batteries.Nigeria (BOI), the United Nations • Batteries: 48 of Trojan IND 17-6V (6VDevelopment Program (UNDP) and the Flooded Deep-cycle Batteries 925 Ah Here is an example of one of them:Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineers @ 20 Hr)(IEEE), announced plans to implement a Community 1: Trigana-Choco24kW PV solar-based microgrid pilot project. • Battery Bank Total Capacity: 48V, 5,550Ah The solar hybrid system covers 80% ofWhile some residents and businesses have electricity demandsaccess to electricity through diesel- • Battery Bank Configuration: 2 clusters ofpowered generators, the majority of the 8 batteries connected in series to achieve • Number of Residents: 293residents and businesses must rely on 48V and 3 batteries connected in parallelkerosene lamps, candle lamps, or fire, etc. • Consumption: 748Kwh/dayfor lighting and heat. The average cost of • Solar panels: 250W Solar panelsfuel in Bisanti is 72% more than the open • System Capacity: 130 kWpmarket rate and the average cost of • Inverters: Schneider Electric Conextkerosene is 300% more than the open • Batteries: 144 Trojan IND29-4V (4Vmarket rate. This limits the community’s • Connection: 2km, 230VAC Flooded Deep-Cycle Batteries, 2,105 Ahability to prosper. @ C100-Hr), 2,105 Ah @ C100-Hr Choco, Colombia Micro Grid • Battery Bank Total Capacity: In the northern state of Choco, located in 48V, 25,260 Ah western Colombia, is the Municipality of www.pessolar.com 101

PES ESSENTIAL• Battery Bank Configuration: designed by integration partner, ZeroBase • Solar panels: 250W panels Energy LLC, including 92 kW of solar PV o SMA Sunny Island clusters. Each capacity, 400 kWh of battery storage • Advanced smart inverter technology cluster is connected to a battery bank capacity and a small diesel backup with a string of 12 batteries connected generator, communicating together thanks • Remote monitoring capabilities in series to achieve 48V. There are 3 to smart power management technology. batteries connected in parallel per • SparkMeter smart meters that enable battery bank to get a total AH capacity A medium-voltage distribution system customer to pre-pay for electricity per bank of 6,315AH. supports the grid and potential future expansions to up to 600 connections. Each • Diesel Generator 30kW o M ulticluster synchronism system connection has a personalized home wiring Mcbox SMA brand installation, including a smart meter Trojan’s Commitment developed by EarthSpark spin-off• Solar panels: 250W Trina Solar panels technology company SparkMeter. Having shaped the world of deep-cycle battery technology for more than 85 years,• Inverters: 12 Bidirectional 6kW Sunny The solar-powered microgrid is supported by Trojan’s pioneering research, Island inverters (4 clusters with 3 a 480-volt battery bank solution from Trojan development and manufacturing expertise charge-inverters per cluster) Battery featuring 152 deep-cycle gel batteries has firmly established the company’s with 38 batteries per string. ZeroBase chose legacy of applying focused engineering o 12 network connected Sunny Boy Trojan batteries based on their reputation for and innovative technology to address the 10kW inverters high quality and reliability, as well as Trojan’s needs of the global renewable energy experience in the region. Trojan worked marketplace. The Industrial Line of Smart• Hybrid AC coupled system closely with ZeroBase to ensure the best Carbon batteries is tested to meet both battery technology was selected for the Les IEC and BCI standards, and features• Cummins Diesel Generator 200 k Anglais microgrid installation. advanced battery technology which delivers reliable power, high-capacityLes Anglais, Haiti Mini Grid Microgrid Overview & Components: performance and rugged durability required by remote microgrid systemsThe majority of Haiti has little to no access • Total Number of Residents, Schools and worldwide.to grid power and the town of Les Anglais is Businesses: 2,000no exception. On June 1, 2015 EarthSpark Clean microgrids are crucial to providingInternational inaugurated a pre-paid • System Capacity: 92kWp electricity to businesses and residents inmicrogrid for the community of 2,000 remote towns and regions around the world.residents and businesses. This town-sized, • Batteries: 152 Trojan 8D gel batteries It’s the first step to supporting globalsolar-powered, smart grid is transforming with 38 batteries per string (12V Deep communities with high-quality, reliableLes Anglais, unlocking economic and social Cycle Gel Batteries, 225AH @C20-Hr) access to electricity that enable residents topotential while serving as a model for future prosper and businesses to grow.grids in Haiti. Customers are saving • Battery Bank Total Capacity:between 50% and 80% of their previous 480V, 400kWh www.trojanbattery.comenergy expenditures while enjoying safer,cleaner, and more convenient electricity.Through a USAID (United States Agency forInternational Development) grant,“Powering Agriculture: An Energy GrandChallenge for Development,” EarthSparkwas able to fund a massive microgridexpansion. The microgrid features astate-of-the-art hybrid generation system102 PES Solar



CORPORATE FOCUSHigh qualityencapsulation film Quality is ever important in our industry and now Breyer have come up with a high quality, high speed extrusion process which has already been tested by TÜV Rheinland Germany…. BREYER’s extrusion system “CellProtect” increased production costs. allows the production of low shrinkage EVA encapsulation film at high production A high quality and low-shrinkage film allows speed. Most importantly, there is no a smooth and fast laminating process. interlayer film and there is no energy The more shrinkage a film has the more consuming anealing process, which means carefully the warm up procedure must the production is economic in terms of both be controlled and could increase the cost and energy. Furthermore, Polyolefin laminating time. encapsulants can be processed using the same method. Since the regular extrusion systems, using calendars or cast rolls, are limited to a Encapsulation film produced on regular certain speed/output, BREYER has extrusion lines has a natural shrinkage developed a profitable system for the which affects not only the laminating production of EVA film and other gluey process but can result in destroyed wafers materials. For the first time, using BEYER and therefore creating waste and thus CellProtect, it’s possible to extrude EVA or Polyolefine films film at high speed by “A high quality and low- keeping the shrinkage low. The process shrinkage film allows avoids tension in the film right from the a smooth and fast start. Post annealing systems are therefore laminating process” not required. In this way the line also consumes less energy. Joachim Bormann EVA film makers can have higher profitability by using the new technology since the output is much higher. For the module manufacturers’ using such low104 PES Solar

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CORPORATE FOCUS“Regrind material coming from the edge strips BREYER can be processed again. This saves not only costs but also valuable resources” Main business: Manufacturing extrusion lines, composite machines and energy Joachim Bormann solutions, made in Germany and distributed worldwide.tension film means that their laminators Also carrying paper, sometimes used forare more stable and also run as fast as the manufacturing of EVA film, is also 250 employees including 35 trainees.possible. unnecessary. BREYER extrusion systems for…They have the advantage of trouble free Regrind material coming from the edgeproduction combined with more reliable strips can be processed again. This saves the production of sheet in high opticaland efficient manufacturing. Notable module not only costs but also valuable resources. quality.manufacturers are therefore very muchinterested in getting low shrinkage film. Finally the process can be considered a • out of PC, PMMA, “green EVA film production line”, since itsDue to the improved properties and process saves the interlayer, carrying • A pp: LED panel, backlight sheet forperformance this EVA film is about to set a paper, has no energy consuming annealing, LCD TV, greenhousescompletely new standard in encapsulation a closed loop for the cooling circuit andfilm and its procedure during laminating. works with a low temperature extrusion the production of sheet. process.Furthermore, due to the specially designed • m ade out of engineering plastics likesurface of the EVA film, the PE interlayer TÜV Rheinland Germany has already ABS, PP, TPU.is no longer necessary. The rolls can be successfully completed the module testwound without the PE film in between. on EVA encapsulation film produced with • App: automotive, decorating the CellProtect system. for the production of flat film In the meantime a number of systems have been sold and installed worldwide. • o ut of PC, PMMA, PET, EVA, TPU. The extrusion system is developed and • App: optical- and thermoforming, produced by BREYER extrusion lines, encapsulation of solar modules, Germany. for the production of tube bodies for the packaging industry • o ut of PE, PP, single and multilayer BREYER Energy Solutions … Calender equipment for the processing of cells for Lithium-ion Batteries Joachim Bormann, [email protected] Tel +49 (0)7731 920119106 PES Solar

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ASK THE EXPERTSTop of the class connectorsOver a billion connectors from the Multi-Contact Solarline range have beenproviding reliable connections all over the world since 1996. This represents aPV output of over 120 GW – almost impossible to believe. Matthias Mack, Headof Photovoltaics at Multi-Contact, explains to PES how this important milestonewas achieved in a highly volatile market environment. Matthias Mack PES: Welcome to PES, it’s great to talk customers’ trust in our company and in our with you. Can you tell us something products: they see us as a market leader.108 PES Solar about the background of your company? We have amassed a great wealth of experience and been a pioneer since the Matthias Mack: Thank you. Multi-Contact early 1990s and achieved this outstanding is a leading international manufacturer of result within the space of two decades. This electrical contacts and connection systems. is the best proof of the longevity and The company was founded in Basel, flawless performance of our products, Switzerland in 1962. We are involved in many some of which have been in use for 20 different industries but we have been years. Evidence such as this from the field working in the PV sector for over 20 years. tells us so much more than any laboratory test ever could. PES: To date a total of 120 GW PV power has been installed worldwide with PV PES: What does this figure mean for the connectors from Multi-Contact. What industry? does this figure mean to the company? MM: It is truly unique. As a comparison, the MM: We are extremely proud of it, naturally. biggest module manufacturers are currently This figure is simply staggering and unique. at around 15 GW. We are thus making an At the end of 2015, global solar power important contribution to positioning solar amounted to around 230 GW – over half of energy as an alternative renewable energy which came from systems with original source and over the longer term as the Multi-Contact connectors. For us, however, central source. At the same time, however, the aspect of longevity is also key: PV we are aware that cabling (connectors, systems with our connectors are intended junction boxes and cables) is just a small not only to produce the fantastic result of piece in the puzzle of a large PV system 120 GW today, but also to provide constant and accounts for less than one percent of power for years to come. overall initial costs. That said the most effective solar panels in the world are no Our products could be described as the good if top-quality cabling is not used to backbone of the system and if they are not transport the power to where it is needed. in perfect working order, the system’s performance can deteriorate dramatically When it comes to evaluating the risks within a very short space of time. Whilst associated with the return on investment photovoltaics are currently being intensely (ROI), this is still often considerably promoted worldwide, there is not much underestimated. So much can happen: point in installing ever bigger PV systems if increased contact resistance leads to less they go on to provide only 60 to 70 percent power and more heat, components and of their maximum power because second- strings provide less output, they can fail, rate products have been used. or there is the risk of a fire, resulting in increased costs for maintenance and spare Photovoltaics are an extremely important parts. If we factor in these aspects over an ally when it comes to achieving climate operational period of 10 to 20 years, it targets all over the world and we should not becomes clear that in the long term, quality weaken their effect if it can be avoided. prevails. The PV power we have achieved is These are also the key criteria when it therefore in principle a confirmation of our comes to securing financing for a big PV

ASK THE EXPERTSsystem: low risk and the highest possible “Environmental issues have played a major role.ROI. This calls for reliable partners and Public awareness has increased considerably,products, not least in financial terms – and with most people agreeing that alternativethere is no better argument for underlining energy sources need to be used.”the bankability of our products than this 120GW power achieved using our connectors. Matthias MackPES: How have you managed to reach PES: When did the development away that alternative energy sources need to besuch a figure, which partners have you from a niche product and toward a mass used. Financial factors – local incentivebeen working with? product become a clear choice for schemes, subsidies and the decline in cost Multi-Contact and what were the for components – have also had an impact,MM: One reason is undoubtedly our focus challenges involved? as have the technical enhancement andon first-class contact with partners and efficiency of the systems.customers. On top of this, we also boast MM: Trends in this direction were identifiedover 50 years of core competence with back in the early 2000s and then there was The good results in terms of LCOE and gridMULTILAM. We identify trends at an early some extremely strong growth in the parity are also attracting increasingstage and have a systematic problem- second half of the decade. The challenges numbers of investors. This positive dynamicsolving approach. As a Swiss company, we included the trend toward standardisation, is unstoppable and photovoltaics willnaturally focus on quality and see ourselves the evolving global markets and the clearly play a very significant role in theas a true solution provider. significant price pressure combined with future of energy. high technical requirements.We also have our outstanding workforce all PES: What can you say about the qualityover the world to thank for the successful It was also interesting to observe how the and the longevity of your connectorsglobal presence of Multi-Contact. The market shifted from Europe to Asia and and what are the possible impacts oncumulative effect of all of these factors has brought new business partners as a result. these two?enabled us to set the standard – or We had to keep pace with this growth andbenchmark – in the industry. maintain control over investments. Notable MM: We are the only manufacturer with our aspects included the transformation into a own internal production facilities for PVBack in 1996, for example, came the commodity market, the drive toward connectors, which enables us to guaranteedevelopment of the first industrially design-to-cost and toward lower costs consistent material composition andproduced connector designed specifically combined with enhanced features. standardised processes. In addition to this,to meet the needs of a PV system. Initially, we also use our own production tools.the leading manufacturers were from Japan It was a logical consequence, then, thatand Germany, volumes were low and against the backdrop of this competition The technical data concerning contacttechnical requirements were high. Later we and price pressure, the focus was often no resistance and longevity has gone a lotcollaborated with top players from longer on top quality but on the principle of further than is required for certification. Wethroughout the industry and with research “good enough”. At the same time, however, assess the longevity of our products underinstitutes, targeted partnerships and further it can also be said that photovoltaics have enhanced test conditions that go beyondproduct development. really established their place in public the standard, also studying effects from perception, thanks not least to cultural ammonia and carrying out salt spray tests,We invested in regional and international developments, the creation of local for example.capacity expansion at an early stage with a opportunities for production and theview to building up a global presence. significant increase in the number of local Today’s market requirements have evolved onBacked up by this solid foundation, we competitors. Unfortunately there are the basis of environmental issues andexperienced the dynamic transformation of copycat products and these are often of geographical diversity, but here too,the industry with the best possible results, lower quality, experiences in the field are much moreboth from a technical and a geographical meaningful than laboratory results. And do notperspective. PES: Which particular factors have forget: 120 GW worldwide in the last 20 years! contributed to this development?Today we have a broad customer base in Our products can be found in every cornerover 67 countries worldwide, ranging from MM: Environmental issues have played a of the earth – and in some very different,module manufacturers through power major role. Public awareness has increased sometimes extremely tough, environmentalinverter producers, EPC or developers to considerably, with most people agreeing conditions. Our products have extremely lowinstallers and resellers to whom we sellboth our standard products and ourcustomer-specific solutions. www.pessolar.com 109

ASK THE EXPERTS“Our products can be found in every corner For our customers, however, we will need to of the earth” set ourselves apart from our competitors for example, by means of training Matthias Mack opportunities and excellent service. This will also enable us to increase thefailure rates (PPM). Problems can sometimes Group. Our customers value our innovative innovation rate over the long termoccur as a result of low-quality or recycled solutions, the service orientation of our salesmaterials, for instance and as a result of team and our strong and enduring PES: Where do you see the PV industrypoor contact quality. While this is ruled out partnerships in the PV industry throughout and the technology in 10 years’ time?in our manufacturing process, our products the entire value chain.can of course be affected by external MM: The industry will continue to developinfluences, including incorrect or poor We also attach great importance to a positively based on its growth andassembly (especially when crimping) or a sustainable approach and have high photovoltaics will become an increasinglycrossover connection. standards when it comes to our own important part of everyday life. Whether intercultural understanding. Another clear through integration in buildings, largeA crossover connection is one in which our benefit is our presence in the installation centralised and decentralised PV powerconnector is combined with one from a markets and in over 20 different countries stations, or amalgamation with storagedifferent manufacturer. A large number of with our own subsidiaries. These arguments solutions – photovoltaics offers smartstudies and a great deal of experience in the make us an exceptionally reliable partner in renewable energy.field in recent years have shown clearly that the PV industry, both from a technologicalthese different connectors are not and financial perspective. PV is in the process of consolidating its rolecompatible. as a fixed component of primary energy PES: Looking ahead, which developments production and will soon have establishedTÜV Rheinland has stated, for the purpose or trends do you see approaching and an even clearer role worldwide as aof clarification, that the use of two different what is Multi-Contact doing to maintain technology of the future. Global big playersconnectors invalidates the certification of the its role as market leader? will advance into the industry and high-individual products. This is not only quality components will win out in marketsdangerous, the increased contact resistance MM: We expect to see increased driven by ROI and bankability.leads to a loss of power and in the worst segmentation in the future, with standardcase to heat build-up and fire, but also modules for various areas of application and www.mc-pv-portal.commeans that the product guarantees no doubtlessly a large market for building-longer apply and insurance companies may integrated photovoltaics, while classic PV About the product:refuse to cover any damage. will gradually merge with storage applications. The original MC4: Its excellentIn addition to this, the legal uncertainty when characteristics have made the MC4 -it comes to liability has a direct negative We anticipate continued strong growth in the MC = Multi-Contact - the “de factoimpact on the overall project bankability and USA, China, Japan and India; in particular. standard” for connectors throughout thethe ROI calculation. Also attractive growth markets also exist in world for over 12 years. The heart of the MENA region, South America and every connection is the tried and testedPES: What are Multi-Contact’s strengths Southeast Asia. The central issues include stable MC MULTILAM technology, whichand where does the company stand in cost optimisation and additional guarantees consistently lowan international comparison? development of products – not least performance loss throughout the service because of the increasing numbers of life of the connector.MM: Our connectors make us the lenders and investors entering the industryundisputed “best in class” – the benchmark. who insist on high quality, sustainable The MC4 meets the conditions for theWe make no compromises on quality and returns and low risk. IP65 and IP68 degrees of protection andoffer enormous expertise based on over 50 is approved for use within a temperatureyears in contact technology and 20 years in We need to stay on the ball, focus on quality range of –40°C to +85°C (IEC and UL,the PV market. issues and respond to the increasing 1500 V). The impact-resistant importance of operational and maintenance polycarbonate housing can withstandWhat we also offer, is the best value for services. We can continue to consolidate our UV radiation, salt spray and ammoniamoney over the long term, combined with pioneering role through our work on expert vapours.the benefits of consistently available committees and advisory panels.production capacity and the financialstrength we enjoy as part of the Stäubli110 PES Solar



THINK TANKPV GenerationWords: Min Qin, FAE, MORNSUNThe Paris 2015 Global Climate conference achieved a carbon emission reductionagreement that is legally binding and practical to all parties, which further propel thedevelopment and popularity of the new green energy technology, e.g. photovoltaicindustry, wind power.In 2015, China passed the Economic and will inevitably be a growing trend in the generation System). In this system,Social Development 13th Five-Year Plan, power industry. in order to reduce the wiring betweenwhich includes the continuous development Basic structure and requirement of solar panel arrays and the inverters, theplan for the PV power market and it aims to the PV power generation system arrays are built by group and connectedbuild more PV power facility to offer 150 A PV power generation system contains in parallel to get electric combinationGW. With the support of domestic and solar panel, combiner box, DC power into the solar combiner and then theforeign policy, market demand, as well as distribution cabinet, inverter and DC will be provided through DC cabinetthe development of energy internet, PV boosting transformer (Diagram 1: PV Power to solar inverter and then into thepower will grow in scale, will offer more power grid.intelligent control, which will help to reduce Diagram 1: PV power generation systemthe cost of photovoltaic, promotetechnological innovation and update theindustry.The common goal of the global PV powerindustry is to create a type of clean energywith lower costs and higher-efficiency.Currently, the PV power system is built onthe design of 1000Vdc input. However, theline loss can be reduced if the system canaccept higher voltage input, which can havean extra efficiency increment of1.5%~2.0%. The market research report byGTM estimated that the 1500Vdc PV powersystem would account for 9% of the globaldemand in 2016, which is equal to 4.6GW.Therefore, the 1500Vdc PV power system112 PES Solar

THINK TANK “To meet the PV power generation application requirement, MORNSUN released a series of DC-DC converters with 200-1500VDC input and 4000VAC isolation” Min QinThe output voltage of solar panel arrays application requirement, MORNSUN Diagram 2 shows a typical monitoring unitvaries significantly for sun light from released a series of DC-DC converters with solar combiner box. With the feature ofdifferent regions, seasons and time. Also 200-1500VDC input and 4000VAC isolation. 200-1500VDC input, 4000VAC isolation ofthe solar combiner needs to detect every Additionally, MORNSUN has a pack of PVxx-29B24, it becomes much simpler togroup of the solar panel array’s voltage, DC-DC solutions which can ensure the get the power source from the solar panelcurrent, power and anti-thunder condition, safety isolation in different units of the array and convert it to 24VDC for theand carry out the failure warning, locating circuit. monitoring unit. DC-DC converter F0505S-and communication functions. The solar 1WR2 is used to drive the hall sensor withinverter needs to detect the voltage, current Power Solution for PV Combiner Box isolation between high and low voltage.and drive the control board while converting Monitoring Unit DC-DC converter B0503XT-2WR2 providesthe DC to AC. Because the solar panel the 3.3V isolated DC for MCU. Thearrays output is normally higher than 1kv, In order to enhance the reliability and transceiver TD501D485H integrates theconventional power module cannot accept practicality, the PV combiner box is isolated serial communication signal andthe voltage from the high-voltage line as equipped with DC Anti-thunder protection isolated power, which can impedeinput, if adopting the solution of external module, DC fuse, circuit breaker and some electromagnetic interference and avoidpower for driving multiple detection units functional circuits, such as Control and ground loop interference. This solutionfor solar combiners and inverters, unstable Processing, Working State Monitoring and functionally meets the requirements andoperating voltage, wiring and single short Communication circuits, etc. also provides safety isolation, which iscircuit problems may occur and cause simple and reliable.power failure of the whole detectionsystem. Diagram 2: Power Solution for Monitoring Unit of PV Combiner BoxTherefore, these factors in power supplyshould be considered for PV power systemequipment,• Input voltage and output voltage : e.g. 200-1500VDC input and standard output of 12V/15V/24V• isolation between primary side and secondary side: 4000VAC• Multiple protection: input under-voltage, reverse input, output short-circuit, over-current and over-voltage protections, etc• High reliability in harsh environment• Output voltage:12V/15V/24V availableTo meet the PV power generation www.pessolar.com 113

THINK TANK“which can be widelyused in PV generation and high-voltageinverter application as a stable and reliable power supply” Min QinPower Solution for Photovoltaic Inverter Diagram 3: Power Solution for Monitoring Unit of Photovoltaic InverterMonitoring Unit Diagram 4: the Principle diagram of PVxx-29Bxx seriesIn the front end, the combiner box is usedto combine the current and after the DC Industrial grade operating temperature: and MORNSUN is developing the rightcabinet monitoring, the DC voltage will be -40℃~+70℃ product for the right application in thisconverted into AC through the inverter. The industry for cleaner power. Targeting theconverting process of the inverter also • 4000VAC I/O isolation voltage specific requirement of 1500VDC solar PVneeds to be monitored, controlled and system monitoring, MORNSUN offers thecommunicated to ensure the inverted • High efficiency, low ripple & noise PVxx-29Bxx which can accept 1500Vdcvoltage can meet the requirement. This input along with offering a full suite of powermonitoring unit can accept the wide input • Input under-voltage, reverse input, output solutions, to simplify customers’ design,range of 200-1500VDC from the bus. short-circuit, over-current and over- save cost, and ensure the system reliability. voltage protectionsAs Diagram 3 shows, PVxx-29B24 gets the [email protected] source from high-voltage bus and • Output short circuit, over-current,step down to 24VDC and the low-drop over-voltage protection www.mornsun-power.comregulator K7805-500R3 and K7815-500R3can provide the right voltage with high • UL1741/CSA C22.2 No.107.1/EN62109 MORNSUN is proud to introduce a newefficiency for the circuit behind it. B0503XT- approval DC/DC converter, PVxx-29Bxx series, to2WR2 provides the 3.3V isolated DC for address the needs of 1500VDCMCU. The transceiver TD501D485H • PCB mounting, DIN-Rail mounting Photovoltaic systems. This series of DC/integrates the isolated serial available The block diagram of PVxx- DC converters accepts a wide inputcommunication signal and isolated power, 29Bxx is shown in diagram 5. It uses range from 200-1500VDC providingwhich can impede electromagnetic fly-back topology, using a mature and standard output voltages of 24V, 12Vinterference and avoid ground loop reliable PWM control IC and adopting the and 5V to power monitoring and controlinterference. QP12W08S-37 is isolation design of high voltage dual transistors in circuits in the system. The PVxx-29BxxDC-DC integrated IGBT driver, which can series and isolated power. The high- simplifies the wiring design reducingsimplify the design and improve reliability. voltage start-up circuit employs cost of system manufacturing and MORNSUN’s patented high-voltage start maintenance when compared with ACBrief Introduction for PVxx-29Bxx up technology and has multiple protection power or battery power. This converterDC-DC Converter circuits, such as input under-voltage, also features multiple protection output over current and short-circuit functions that improve system safetyPVxx-29Bxx is a high reliability DC-DC protection to achieve high reliability. when a breakdown occurs.converter with 200-1500VDC input,4000VAC isolation and built-in multi- Conclusionprotection functions ,which can be widelyused in PV generation and high-voltage In summary, PV energy is a promising marketinverter application as a stable and reliablepower supply,Features:Ultra-wide input voltage range: 200 ~1500VDC114 PES Solar

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TALKING POINTExploring thepower of the sunThere is a dark cloud hanging over solar energy. Despite frequent government pushes forwider adoption of renewable power sources, progress in recent years has been relativelyslow. Here, Steve Hughes, managing director of power quality expert REO UK, explainsthere may be a way to part the clouds in solar energy.Steve Hughes capacities of other energy sources, the UK of the grid during the day, at night it is taking steps in the right direction. With becomes reliant on electricity from the gridSince the mid-1990s, the UK has seen a further plans to power four million homes once more. This may mean the businessgradual increase in the amount of with solar energy by 2020, the future is ends up using less traditional energyrenewable energy sources used to generate looking bright for renewable energy. overall, but it still leaves a dependency onelectricity. However, in spite of two decades traditional methods of electricityof growth and countless incentives and It is understandable why so many generation.schemes, we are still trailing behind the businesses and consumers alike aretarget of producing 20 per cent of the UK’s switching to solar. Once initial installation Obviously, this is not an ideal or sustainableelectricity generation from renewable costs of PV panels are out of the way, solar approach. Fortunately, technology issources, with current estimates being 15 energy offers a unique approach to developing in such a way that it seems theper cent. generating both electricity and money, by storage of renewable energy will soon be a feeding excess energy back into the grid, reality. The rising popularity of OriginalUntil 2011, only a small amount of this while also meeting green guidelines. Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) revealingelectricity came from solar energy. Since plans for home batteries, a trendthen, the falling price of photovoltaic (PV) Making the most of the sun popularised in 2015 by Tesla’s Powerwall,panels and the introduction of feed-in tariffs shows that the industry is working tohave driven a surge in sales. Recent Unfortunately, one of the biggest factors develop a solution. While the idea of homegovernment figures showed that UK solar preventing a full conversion to renewable batteries isn’t necessarily a new one, thecapacity has increased by 62 percent from energy is its reliability. Due to its revitalised interest is likely to drive the priceFebruary 2015-16, with previous findings dependence on a suitable quantity of down to a more affordable amount in thealso indicating a recurring trend of capacity ultraviolet radiation, solar power is foreseeable future.greatly increasing in April. particularly prone to fluctuations. This inconsistency creates a range of problems However, what happens next? RenewableWhat we can deduct from these findings is for both electricians and end users. energy sounds very attractive in concept,that, while widespread renewable uptake as a seemingly benevolent method ofhas been poor in relation to the electrical Yet for all the intermittency surrounding maintaining our electrical consumption solar energy, the bigger issue is that we are without harming the planet. However, aside unable to take full advantage of the from their intermittency and the lack of electricity it generates. Once the power is storage, renewable energies are plagued available, it has to be used immediately or with a host of power quality issues that it is wasted. This is not due to the power have detrimental effects on our electrical itself, but rather the lack of any viable infrastructure. storage solutions for generated loads. These detrimental effects pose the biggest Currently, the solar energy sector lacks the challenge in switching to renewable energy. infrastructure to offer a long-term and While some of the issues may only increase reliable source of power. Without a means energy consumption, others can cause of storing this electricity, we are at the damage to components on the electrical mercy of nature, whereas using traditional grid itself. energy sources we have control over the steady (and steadily decreasing) supply. From solar to terrestrial This lack of affordable storage undermines Before we can tackle power quality issues, the use of solar. While installing PV panels it is important to understand what solar allows a business to operate independently power actually is. The initially generated116 PES Solar

TALKING POINTvoltage is in low voltage direct current (DC) “Unfortunately, one of the biggest factorsform, which means it needs to be converted preventing a full conversion to renewableto an alternating current (AC) voltage beforeit is able to enter the electrical grid. This is energy is its reliability”achieved using either single-phase orthree-phase inverters, depending on the Steve Hughespower requirement and the application. While it is not possible to eliminate EM relevant standards on EM immunity, suchHowever, this conversion creates a number noise from a system, it can be kept under as EN 61000 legislative standards.of power quality problems. Modern control by installing electromagnetic However, filters are not a one-size-fits-allinverters convert energy from DC to AC compatibility (EMC) filters. These are product and only the right filter for thequickly and efficiently but, due to the speed low-pass filters that are designed to application can guarantee compliance.of switching semiconductors, this results in attenuate high frequencies of EM noise Engineers should thoroughly test filtershigh-frequencies entering the system. without disrupting the flow of mains before committing to use them in systems,These high frequencies may sound frequency power. ensuring that the right frequencies areharmless but they cause electromagnetic attenuated.(EM) noise in systems. Filtered frequencies are reflected back to the original sources to keep products We recommend engineers should workEM noise causes interference in electronic operating effectively. To facilitate this, EMC alongside power quality specialists to findcomponents, including the switch-mode filters should be capable of handling the the ideal solution with minimal problems.power supplies (SMPS) and inverter drives resulting power dissipation without a Once any EM issues are resolved and thethat also frequently generate this noise. The negative impact on performance. solar energy can be safely converted to DCinterference, if left unresolved, can quickly Companies can do this by using larger voltage, this electricity must be fed into thedegrade and damage electrical capacitors and inductors. main electrical grid through a connectingcomponents. To prevent this from occurring inverter. This sounds straightforward but itit is important that protective measures are Keeping EM noise at an acceptable level also raises further concerns.put into place to minimise EM frequencies. allows businesses to safely comply with the www.pessolar.com 117

TALKING POINTKeeping safe on the grid ultraviolet radiation and this is not exclusive About REO to the sun. In the case of a storm, lightning Steve Hughes has been the managingIronically, one of the core selling points for can create dangerous situations. If a bolt director of REO UK since 2007, havingthe uptake of solar energy generation strikes close enough to the panels, they previously joined the company ascontributes to the delay in adoption. The soak up a sudden rush of radiation, which technical sales manager in 1994. Stevefinancial incentive for the installation of PV can cause a surge. Likewise, flashes has a degree in management, as well aspanels is that excess energy is fed back between clouds can have the same effect. a HNC in Electronics, and originallyinto the main electrical grid, resulting in trained at Shrewsbury Technologybusinesses being paid for the power they Of course, this can be subdued with before joining REO UK.help to generate. effective infrastructure grounding. But in order to get rid of the underlying harmonic REO manufactures resistive andHowever, to do this, companies require a resonance, it is essential that companies inductive wound components for useconnection to the power grid. This grid incorporate harmonic current filters into with static frequency converter drives ininterconnect point of parallel inverters systems. lift and HVAC applications. Thecauses another power quality problem – company is becoming increasinglyharmonic resonance. This is a common These filters cause a substantial reduction involved in renewable energyproblem in non-linear electronic systems. in the harmonics present in a system, technology, where power quality is of resulting in a total harmonic distortion overriding importance. REO hasDue to the way in which harmonic currents (THD) drop of more than 50 per cent in manufacturing operations in Germany,manifest in electrical systems, they result in some cases. Our REOWAVE passive, for the US, China and India.expensive heat losses and increased example, has been able to drive down THDenergy consumption. Yet even more costly to as little as five percent due to its special If you want to keep up to date with pressis that, over time, these currents accelerate circuit design and its location in systems. It material, opinion focused blog contentcomponent wear and ultimately lead to is these considerations that help and case studies from REO UK, you canfailures. In the power grid, these failures businesses efficiently make the most of visit our news page: http://www.reo.co.culminate in unstable loads, blackouts or solar power. uk/newspower surges. As it stands, technology is only advanced For further information contact: SteveThis risk is exacerbated by the already enough to allow PV panels to harness 0.001 Hughes or Michelle Gillampresent threat of power surges that per cent of the energy produced by the sun.accompanies renewable energy. Whether it In the future, this figure will be substantially REO (UK) Ltd, Units 2-4 Callow Hillis solar or wind farms, it only takes a storm higher, which will drive the use of solar Road, Craven Arms Business Park,to cause problems for the electrical output. power and the need for high power quality.We know that heavy winds push wind It is only by ensuring that infrastructure is Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 8NTturbines to capacity, but the effect on PV capable of meeting this demand that wepanels is slightly less clear. can enjoy all that the sun has to offer. Telephone: +44 (0)1588 673411Despite its title, solar energy is drawn from Fax: +44 (0)1588 672718 www: http://www.reo.co.uk e-mail: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/REO_UK Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ pages/REO-UK-Ltd/263330563768795118 PES Solar

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ASK THE EXPERTSEssential durabilityPES caught up with Simon Schandert, Director of Production,Technology Development and Technical Support, at theindustrial storage manufacturer TESVOLT, to find out aboutstorage for businesses. There is optimism in the air for thefuture of our industry and a change in philosophy… Simon Schandert PES: Welcome back to PES Solar/PV installers are once again able to construct magazine. Thanks for talking with us. big PV systems and achieve corresponding120 PES Solar Would you like to begin by explaining a margins. Such solutions in Germany are even little about the background of your allowing end users to generate profits that organisation and how you currently are sometimes as high as those seen in 2010. serve the solar industry? PES: Is solar/PV a growing market? Simon Schandert: As a manufacturer of How are you capitalising on this growth? storage systems, we concentrate specifically on meeting the needs of SS: We still believe the solar sector to be a commercial businesses. Our systems are growth market. The sun remains the energy designed to serve this segment of the source that is easiest to calculate and market and business operators are our system construction costs are low. primary focus. Storage technology has made it once again Historically, private households and large practical to build large-scale installations. industrial consumers have been well In the long term, these complex solutions served, whereas the business community are even relieving the burden on the grid has not. We offer customers solutions that and we all want to get away from coal and are specifically tailored to their companies’ nuclear power. Without PV technology and needs, yet can be easily installed by any storage systems, this goal would be electrician. unthinkable. The option of incorporating high-capacity, PES: How important is battery storage good output storage technology into PV for the integration of renewable energy installations, at a sensible price, is giving a into the electrical grid? tremendous boost to the solar market. Thanks to large-scale storage systems, SS: Without storage, the energy revolution will fail.

ASK THE EXPERTSPES: What sets TESVOLT battery “The goal in developing our storage systemssystems apart from the rest? was to meet the needs of businesses”SS: The goal in developing our storage Simon Schandertsystems was to meet the needs ofbusinesses. Each system must be able to because there are only a few manufacturers PES: Do you anticipate working on furthereasily react to changes. If a company builds that are able to meet the capacities required projects with Hounslow Council or othera new workshop or buys a new machine, with any economic viability. local authorities?the energy management system needs toallow for this. Using a rigid storage system In addition, there is a very small range of SS: We would be delighted to carry outis therefore far from ideal. TESVOLT gives technology that meets the technical additional projects with this team. Ourcustomers the flexibility to retrofit and connection requirements in the UK and this collaboration was extremely professional fromexpand their systems, even years later. technology is employed here. the outset, agreements were honoured and all input was provided quickly and thoroughly.This is made possible by our proprietary PES: How are TESVOLT batteries usedactive, bidirectional battery management in this project? What type of batteries is PES: What are the advantages of lithiumsystem (BMS), which also enables us to used in your storage systems? batteries to end users?counterbalance high charging currents, inother words to supply real emergency SS: The storage systems are used to SS: Essentially their durability and the factpower – in some cases up to 900 A. optimise on-site consumption and ensure that they do not contain any acid – but in the provision of emergency power. fact there is no single answer.PES: Together with Hounslow Council,you recently completed a large storage The batteries are lithium iron phosphate The important thing is the cell technology.project for the Western International batteries. The prismatic form of the cells and We chose a prismatic form, as heat can beMarket in London. What is so unique their chemical composition facilitate the high easily discharged and the customer hasabout the site of this project? charging speeds of our storage systems. clean batteries with none of the degassing you find with lead.SS: It is currently very uncommon forwholesale markets to employ storage systems www.pessolar.com 121

ASK THE EXPERTSMoreover, the cell chemistry of lithium stand-alone grid is created – diesel energy suppliers, the editors who pushbatteries ensures that they will never generators can be connected to it if desired topics and create awareness of them, allbecome unsafe, even if there is a – ensuring that the operator has no loss of are part of this development and we are allmalfunction. To put it simply, our lithium production. making our own contribution.batteries are clean, high-quality andpowerful, they only generate small amounts Thanks to this emergency power function The thing that makes me happiest is theof excess heat and are very long lasting. alone, our storage systems will amortise fact that, through our work, we are actively within two years – even without subsidies. doing something positive for the wellbeingPES: What processes or safety polices This is because the losses resulting from a and future of our children.do you have in place? halt in production are incomparably higher than the cost of buying and operating a PES: And conversely, what presents youSS: The batteries themselves are protected storage system. with the biggest challenges?from the grid by several safetymechanisms. The system’s program PES: How are your sales divided SS: Old ways of thinking and economictechnology will shut down if even the between the private and commercial dependencies are a problem. They slowslightest variations in temperature or sectors? down the process of removing legal barriersvoltage occur. and make it difficult to implement certain SS: We sell 99% of our storage systems to projects.In addition, two hard cut offs are commercial businesses.incorporated into the BMS, which interrupt PES: What are your thoughts aboutthe flow of current in the event of any PES: Geographically speaking, where prospects for the rest of 2016 withirregularities, just like a fuse in a household are the key markets for TESVOLT and do regard to your organisation and thefuse box. Safety fuses are also integrated you have any plans for expansion into solar industry in general?into the Sunny Island charge controllers other areas?and the grid. SS: We are sensing a sharp increase in SS: TESVOLT sells its products worldwide. demand and safety protection is becomingPES: What solutions can TESVOLT In countries that have an unreliable power more and more popular. For these reasonsstorage systems offer in the wake of supply, we offer a real alternative to we see a very promising future ahead andsavage cuts in PV subsidies this year? outdated, high-maintenance lead systems. embark on every project with a great deal of energy.SS: Irrespective of the subsidies, storage Our products provide protection forsystems increase the on-site consumption everything from farm buildings to villages. The PV industry, too, will pick up again. Theof renewable energy and stabilise company Even power intensive projects, which influence of the entire renewable energynetworks. When the emergency power require high outputs, can incorporate our sector will also increase further once wefunction is selected, this protects a systems. are able to implement projects that arecompany’s operations, or parts thereof. In currently thwarted by bureaucratic hurdles.other words, if there is a power cut, parts of PES: Which aspect of the industrythe company’s premises will be able to provides the most satisfaction for you The Western International Market initiativedraw power from the battery. right now? in London provides an excellent model here and this pilot project will be instrumental inAt the same time, whilst a power outage SS: Whereas before the sole focus was on furthering renewable energy in the UK.would normally force a PV system to go into profit, a sense of duty is now growing withinstandby mode for safety reasons, here the the market. All participants, whether it be www.tesvolt.cominstallation can continue to supply power. A end users, installers, manufacturers or the politicians who create legal frameworks, or122 PES Solar

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ASK THE EXPERTSLowering LCOEwith 1500V DCExcept the PV modules all components on DC side will be developed and manufactured by Jurchen Technology.The photo shows a PV power plant with Jurchen’s new triple base substructure.While several new power plant installations still focus on old DC commercialisation on the electricity market,technology, Jurchen Technology enhances its BoS product which relies on the quality and performancelines. Their unwavering vision is to establish Solar PV Power as of each link in chain. This applies not onlyour international basic power supply. Michael Jurchen, CEO to the main actors, the PV panels andand founder of Jurchen Technology, explains why to PES. inverters. Of course, the impact of electrical wiring loss in a small, 5 kilowatt, homePES: Welcome back to PES Solar/PV PES: Are you still seeing market growth installation doesn’t play as decisive a rolemagazine. It’s great to talk with you in BoS? as in a 120 Megawatt project. But, if aagain. For the benefit of our new readers module string has to be replaced, in thewould you like to tell us about your MJ: The manufacturing costs for PV panels event of cable corrosion, on both a largecompany and explain how you currently and inverters have decreased enormously in and small scale this will result in loss ofserve the solar/PV sector? last years. Technologies have been enhanced earnings and incur additional maintenance todeliverhigherefficiencies.Unfortunately,this costs. A scenario which can be preventedMichael Jurchen: Thank you. As an hasn’t been noticed in BoS. Far from it – we with a small outlay, because DC cablingexperienced PV BoS (Balance of System) are hearing of newly constructed solar PV costs on average are usually only 1% - 2%supplier Jurchen technology offers a wide parks, which are based on system designs of total investment. A markedly smallrange of innovative components for that are ten years old. Thus, even now, power investment with big impact.rooftop PV systems and large-scale solar plantperformance,investmentandoperationalPV power plants. Our product solutions, costs are the most important variables in PES: We are curious, which specialfrom low-loss DC cabling to cost-efficient reaching the lowest cost of energy (LCOE). successes should PV operators andsubstructures for solar power plants, are This is the only way modern photovoltaics can investors be made aware of concerningdeveloped in-house to reach best-in-class replace conventional energy resources as our DC cabling eBoS?quality and reliability. For all standardised basic power supply. This goal can only beBoS products we consider every PV power achieved with new and re-developed MJ: Our engineering team works closelyplant as an individual chain of system components in the whole PV power with EPC contractors to incorporate jointcomponents. So it’s important for us to be generation chain. experiences for product improvements.involved as soon as possible in the project, One of these game-changer topics is theto engineer an optimal DC configuration. The PES: How important is the impact of BoS 1,500V DC technology. Thanks to thehigh standardisation of our manufacturing quality on power plant operation? increased system voltage, the DC cablingand quality management give our products costs and O&M (Operation andthe necessary safety to generate solar MJ: Every photovoltaic system is based on a Maintenance) will be successfully reduced.electricity, which will be reliable for decades. chain of totally different components. A The overall system performance is successful power plant operation depends on improved thanks to less contact and the power generation and the ensuing reduced solar line loss. But, 1,500V DC architecture is not a dream for the future. We have been integrating the124 PES Solar

ASK THE EXPERTShigher voltage cabling system into EPC PV techniques and plant operation where we The random sample test for conductor crosspower projects, around the world, since rely on special in-house trained section is one important check for quality control of2012. Our latest 1,500V DC product lines personnel. Innovation in thought and work DC cabling.are the ArCon DS and ES series and the is only possible with an up-to-dateSK-IV wiring harness system, including know-how for new concepts and four phase model, where a component isextensive additional components like inline methods. testedmechanically,electrically,thermallyandfuses and string diodes. climatically. Such a basic fault may increase PES: Certification plays a key role in all over the years, become a corroded cable andPES: Jurchen offers some services that geographical markets; none more so lead to the breakdown of the connectedothers do not. Please tell us more and than in North America. How are Jurchen module strings.explain the benefits to your customers? tackling this issue? PES: Can we expect any new innovationsMJ: Our 12-years’ experience and the MJ: Our experience is that TÜV product for the company in the next 12-18constant ambition, to bring out the best certification is approved worldwide and months?product, are what we strive for with every represents quality and security ofJurchen Technology product. Our investment. In countries such as the USAcustomers benefit from a constant know and Canada, a UL certification is alsohow transfer between EPC system required for special components.integrators and us. We deliver high qualityproducts with a focus on the reduction of PES: Obviously, quality is something youinvestment (CAPEX) and operational costs go all-out for in your manufacturing(OPEX). If required our engineering team processes – how do you ensurewill support our customers in power plant consistency?planning and dimensioning. MJ: The certification of our products andPES: Last time we spoke, you told us processes provides our customers with theabout your training course. Does security of investment and operation. Ourtraining continue to be an important regular quality management, both during andaspect of your business? after the manufacturing process, means we have the assurance of delivering a product ofMJ: Currently internal education and high value. Standard tests, after thetraining are more important than ever. production, are sufficient for manyParticularly in the field of manufacturing manufacturers. Jurchen Technology opts for a

ASK THE EXPERTSBeside DC cabling the company is specialized forcustom-tailored substructures for free-field androof-mounted photovoltaic systemsMJ: We are always working on new Jurchen Technology offers a broad range of 1,500V DC ready cabling components including wiring harness,innovations. A product is only a real innovation, inline fuses, string diodes, and cable accessorieswhen it is successful on the market and setsnew standards. Our DC harness cabling Technology box:technologies SK-IV and ArCon DS, with their1,500V DC capability, have what it takes to The 1,500V DC Cabling Advantage:symbolise the new generation of PV powerplants. Furthermore, looking forward to the Although several PV power plants still operate with lower system voltages, 1,500V DC isfirst quarter of 2017, we will introduce a new the new standard in utility-scale solar power. All components from PV panel to inverterdevelopment in the field of substructure for system must be proved to operate at the higher voltage level, and should meet nationalsolar power plants. and local restrictions.PES: What are your thoughts about Reducing investment costs (CAPEX): Reducing O+M costs (OPEX):prospects for the coming year withregard to your organisation and the ➔ Wiring harness cabling system with Compared to typical PV power plants,solar/PV industry in general? 1,500VDC saves up to 50% solar cable less DC cabling and inverters have to be controlledMJ: In terms of cost reduction and than typical single array solutionsestablishment of PV as a general powersupplier, the whole market is on the right ➔ Less DC eBoS (wiring, connections, ➔ Reduced maintenance timepath. But there is a wide range of providers. combiner boxes) ➔ Less downtimesSo investors should look closely at the ➔ Higher energy yieldtechnology and system components they can ➔ Less labor costs and faster projectrely on in the coming decade. There are realisationcurrently just a handful of suppliers of PVmodules, inverters and BoS, which can be ➔ Reduced amount of inverter stationsused at 1,500V DC system voltage.Nevertheless, the technology will be thestandard in the construction of power plantswithin the next two years.In addition, the aim is to decrease the LCOE.There will be new system concepts andconstructions on the market, which can beinstalled more quickly and will require fewerresources. Our our recently publicised flatroof system PlanTec VARIOTWIN or theUniBase substructure for solar powerplants are just two examples. www.jurchen-technology.com126 PES Solar

PES ESSENTIALMany shadesof greyEnergy and electricity are usually associated with the colour green. Not anymore. Today,grey is the colour of the European energy market according to Professor Leonardo Meeusfrom Vlerick Business School, Belgium, who provides PES with an insight in to the newmarket model choices being made across the EU and things that need to me consideredby the decision makers…The new market model and operation of charging infrastructure and local electricity storage. However, it isThe energy landscape has changed not yet clear to whom these activitiesconsiderably in recent times. Twenty years belong. Each country is making its ownago, almost the entire energy value chain choices. There are still grey areas but theywas in the hands of a single player. make it all the more interesting and excitingNowadays there are different bodies for me as a researcher.responsible for different areas: producers,transmission system operators (TSOs), Who facilitates the market?distribution system operators (DSOs) andretailers. As long as large-scale electricity storage remains too expensive, supply and demandThe market does not stand still. In the must be closely matched with each other.side-lines of the distribution system, a All activities associated with this comemyriad of new activities have sprung up under the heading of “market facilitation”;which, in contrast to the TSOs and DSOs data exchange through a data hub is one ofare not regulated at a national or EU level. these. Up until now this data exchange wasFor example: market facilitation, installation typically dealt with by the TSOs. However, www.pessolar.com 127

PES ESSENTIAL “Whatever choice you make, it is consistency that is important. So if regulators see a role for DSOs to play they must ensure that there are sufficient incentives to innovate”with the rise of distributed generation, some meet the European emission standards. must ensure that there are sufficientof the market activities have shifted to the This is why Ireland has already asked one incentives to innovate. Those incentives candistribution level. Even consumers produce of the DSOs to roll out a pilot project. Time be incorporated into legislation, as is theelectricity nowadays. They have become to market can be a good reason to involve case with innovation funding.prosumers. But then the question arises as DSOs. In the Netherlands and Sweden,to who should facilitate that market? individual cities can opt to make faster So-called incentive regulation for DSOs has progress with charging infrastructure. been successful in mimicking competitiveThe Scandinavian countries have opted to Amsterdam has put it out to tender. pressure with incentives to improveleave this to the TSO. In Germany too, a cost-efficiency and incentives to improveproposal of this nature is on the table. In Who has got the batteries? quality. The DSOs have achieved theseBelgium, the five largest DSOs have improvements by innovating, but thegrouped together in the joint venture Atrias, Local electricity storage in batteries is innovation that is now required from thewhich is to fulfil the role of a data hub. nothing new from a technical point of view. DSOs to enter into new businesses typicallyFrance and Austria are thinking along the What is new, however, is for someone like spans several regulatory periods, which issame lines. In the UK and Italy, an Elon Musk to succeed in making home more difficult to capture in incentiveindependent third party has come into play. batteries trendy. His Powerwall wouldn’t be regulation. Some authorities have thereforeYou see this happening more and more: out of place in many a living room, everyone introduced dedicated R&DD budgets forwherever there are grey areas you will see with his or her own battery system! Do we DSOs. This is the case in Finland, Ireland,totally new stakeholders emerging want that? Or would we rather have a larger and Italy.alongside the existing ones, the TSOs and battery for the neighbourhood? That mightDSOs. be cheaper than 100 small ones. And if we The challenging task for the regulator is are talking economies of scale, do we want then to monitor whether the money isWho is in charge of charging the responsibility for the infrastructure to be well-spent. The alternative is to rely oninfrastructure? in the hands of TSOs or DSOs? Each option national and EU R&DD funding bodies. In has its supporters. countries like Germany, Sweden, and theThere is little debate about a charging point UK, the DSOs compete with other playersin your garage. That is yours. But what In Germany, anyone who installed solar for funding. The funding agencies selectabout charging points in the street? You panels up until recently was able to get and monitor the innovation projects, whichcould consider them as part of the subsidies for the purchase of batteries. In relieves the energy regulator from this task.distribution network and then there is Italy, the TSO can invest in some In Sweden, they can fund the entire project.something to be said for making DSOs installations and DSOs can also propose In Germany, they typically only fund part ofresponsible for their installation and pilot projects, as in the UK. the project, but the DSOs can then ask theoperation. But it is not that simple. Think regulator to approve most of the remainingabout petrol stations. They are operated by Consistent policy costs. At EU level, the Strategic Energyretailers who have often also provided the Technology Plan is an instrument thatinfrastructure. A maker of electric vehicles Some countries, such as Belgium and the contributes to the identification of projectssuch as Tesla can also have good Netherlands, will be more inclined than that need funding; it is also an instrumentarguments for rolling out a network of others to allocate a role to DSOs for that tries to coordinate innovation efforts incharging points. It is therefore logical that activities in the grey areas. There you have Europe.different countries have also made different fully independent DSOs and the number ofchoices here. parties is limited. In other countries you Policy choices sometimes have hundreds of other, smallerThe Netherlands and Sweden leave the stakeholders. As part of the DSO chair, we at Vlerickinitiative up to the market. They are waiting Business School, with the support of itsit out. Ireland, on the other hand, is going Whatever choice you make, it is partners Alliander and Eandis, have studiedfull steam ahead with electric vehicles to consistency that is important. So if the situation in different countries. The regulators see a role for DSOs to play they128 PES Solar

PES ESSENTIAL“The funding agenciesselect and monitor the innovation projects”observations were brought together and If the approach is to involve the DSOs, the Nonetheless, there is one caveat. It’s easysupplemented with a framework for role of the regulator is to determine the scope enough to understand why differentpolicymakers and regulators. We don’t tell of the DSO involvement (the infrastructure countries take different approaches. Afterthem which choice is best but we do tell and service dimensions); to consider all, it is not a clear-cut situation. But soonerthem what they need to look out for when dedicated quality of service regulations for or later we are going to have to weigh upmaking choices and we give examples of each of the new businesses that the DSO is the advantages of freedom of choicesuccessful implementations. For regulators involved in (minimum functionalities for against the disadvantages of non-who are still undecided, our policy note infrastructures and KPIs for services); and to standardisation. This has to happen forcontains some useful guidelines. Those make sure that the DSOs have sufficient each one of these new activities, which iswho have already made a choice are invited incentives to innovate when investing in the precisely what we are still planning to doto pause to reflect on it. new businesses (company strategies and with our chair. regulatory frameworks).If the approach is market based, theregulator needs to design the market (i.e.competition in the market versus tenderingfor the market); and needs to checkwhether there is a need for correctingmarket failures. Involving the DSOs is oneway, but not the only way, to correct themarket failures for new businesses.

TALKING POINTCost efficacyin a difficult timeWords: Steven Hughes, Global Asset Management Director for RES Standardisation is needed in our industry to keep costs down and avoid discrepancies. Asset management and O&M can help save costs and counteract inefficiencies. Steven Hughes, Global Asset Management April 2016 was a momentous month for enough to power 2.2 million homes, with Director for RES solar energy in the UK. For the first time 3.6 GW installed last year. What’s more, ever, more power was generated by the sun 49% of the total EU investment in solar130 PES Solar than by coal. Just less than 30 gigawatt photovoltaics was made in the UK, hours, or the equivalent of 4% of national highlighting the importance of the industry demand was met by solar. This was to the economy. certainly yet another tremendous achievement set by renewables over the However, this explosion of solar power has past year. Let’s not forget, in December, come at a price – the rush to build projects wind turbines supplied 17% of Britain’s has reduced project build quality and the electricity demand, while clean power has changes in support have reduced supply provided almost a quarter of UK electricity chain options available to service and in the first three months of this year . maintain projects. The solar industry is not alone however in suffering these pressures. News like this should normally be celebrated, Today wind projects have a similar support as the UK takes tentative steps towards mechanism cut off. In the early years of a clean energy revolution. However, such a wind deployment there were a number of celebration is simply not possible, with equipment providers who were unable to renewable energy having taken immeasurable maintain their equipment after it was blows over the last few years and solar installed, so asset managers needed to arguably taking the biggest hits of all. develop flexible strategies to manage these assets and maintain asset value. According to DECC, 9.2 GW of solar capacity has been installed in the UK,

TALKING POINTThe energy industry has traditionally “The energy industry has traditionally excelledexcelled in Asset Management and in Asset Management and Operations andOperations and Maintenance (O&M). Both Maintenance (O&M)”are key to maintaining technology andpreserving asset value through careful Steven Hughesmaintenance and upkeep. We can reliablypredict an asset’s long-term costs and AM and O&M. Today, some owners have growth both in the UK and internationally,revenue; and developing the right developed in-house capability for O&M and inconsistencies have developed which arecontracting strategy ensures the project there are more ISPs around, and less need having a knock on effect on projects. Thiskeeps running even if the Original to rely on OEMs providing O&M. However, includes issues such as discrepancies inEquipment Manufacturers (OEM) service with solar, the technology is more straight- industry definitions and therefore contracts,agreements have disappeared. forward and there is a wider range of which can subsequently impact a knock-on service providers. The margins are thinner, effect on costs. A lack of languageIt is essential to optimise the compliance of so it makes more sense to combine AM and standardisation can raise project costs,assets to project investors and owner’s O&M as far as possible to optimise which makes it harder for developers andlegal duties whilst at the same time projects. There remain some concerns owners to work together as they aremaximising the performance of assets to around the depth of experience in the working to different metrics.protect financial returns. This is the supply chain, so having AM and O&Messence of good asset management and combined can help ensure quality because How to get the best out of datawe have found that the balance for the AM is likely to take a long term view oncombining or separating AM and O&M the O&M. In this day and age, data is king, notvaries depending on the nature of the asset, least because it underpins businessthe age of the asset and the market Standardisation performance. When it comes to assetavailable to support that asset. management and O&M, data can reveal The solar industry has exploded over the everything from technical glitches impedingFor example, in the early days of wind the last ten years; moving from a standing start performance, right down to signalling aOEMs tended to operate projects after they to almost 10GW is an outstanding major impending fault. We know fromwere built and there was a high barrier to achievement. However, due to this rapid operating our 24/7 control centre inentry for Independent Service Providers(ISPs), this lead to a separation between

TALKING POINTGlasgow how effective data can save time uncertainty and risk the industry is now your asset going for longer. Investors wantand money, so it is frustrating that as an seeing at the O&M level will continue to rise. a guarantee on their investment, soindustry, we are still not making the most of accessing combined expertise via assetit or capturing it effectively. How can asset management and O&M management and O&M services helps to help the solar and PV market overcome show them that your asset will be expertlyIneffective documentation and evaluation the challenges? maintained. In addition, with effective datacan mean ineffective capture of system harnessing (like our control centre);reliability. This does not help businesses or Sadly we can’t wave a magic wand and problems can be identified quicker thanthe industry. Without this information, resolve issues which have been apparent to ever and therefore fixed, before they turninvestors, designers, managers, and the whole industry for quite some time. into a bigger issue.operators lack the necessary knowledge on However, incorporating asset managementmaterials, irregularities, faults or glitches, and O&M into your portfolio does have Inefficienciesand more major failures such as instances distinct benefits, such as:of fire or component failure. Not to exclude While solar and PV panels are becomingthe lack of guidance on how to successfully The Grid more effective, it is estimated that they onlysort them out. convert 35% of the power they capture . To We have seen grid-side issues across the counteract this and generate cost savings,This also highlights how the industry wind fleet we manage which adversely monitoring the performance of your asset isstruggles to accurately measure these affects the production from that plant, vital. O&M services such as fault predictioninstances and therefore effectively measure ranging from sudden grid outages, to more and performance ratio and availability willhow the technology is performing subtle grid code changes which reduce the help to alleviate these problems and saveindividually against the overall operational power output from the projects over time. costs before they become a major issue.health of the plant. We have applied these lessons on solar projects to ensure that when the sun shines, Time to actPerformance the projects can export their maximum capacity. Asset management and O&M are importantThe sun will only shine so much, but parts in driving the success of solar energyexpectations about plant conditions is an In addition to this, through the work we are project, from a planning, financial andissue haunting the industry. Simulations or doing operating storage assets, we can see operational point of view. While they do nottests may be able to predict a baseline the huge potential to combine solar and require the immense investment or upkeepenergy level that will be produced, but storage to enhance production. that fossil fuel plants do (predominantlyexpecting this to be truly accurate will affect because they are safer and thereforecost control as you’re trying to meet a Investment present less risk to human lives), they stillpotentially unsustainable level. When need regular checks to ensure they arespecifications do not include all of the details Making cost savings by tapping into running optimally. Taking care of an assetto meet these expectations, the levels of competitive maintenance services to lower retains its value and drives return on costs, minimise lost production and improve investment, so now is an optimal time to future production is the best way to keep choose a provider who can provide these services to you, to solve the challenges outlined above and help resolve issues encountered. Despite the recent cuts in the UK, the global solar industry is strong, with the US, India and China taking a lead on generating clean energy. Hopefully the UK will soon follow suit, and we’ll see more than the 4% generated this year, and a strong renewables presence in future energy generation. www.res-group.com132 PES Solar



ADVERTISERS’ INDEXMeyer Burger: IFC DNV GL: 25 Pfeiffer: 35 SNEC: 49www.meyerburger.com www.dnvgl.com/solar www.pfeiffer-vacuum.com www.snec.org.cnSolar Power International: 13 DMEGC: 29 ABB: 41 INDEOtec: 55www.solarpowerinternational. www.dmegc.co.uk www.abb.com/solarinverters www.indeotec.comcom SMIT: 33 Heraeus: 45 Solarnova: 59Intersolar India: 15 www.smitthermalsolutions.com www.heraeus-photovoltaics. www.solarnova.comwww.intersolar.in com134 PES Solar

ADVERTISERS’ INDEXMeteocontrol: 61 GNB Industrial Power: 73 Younicos: 83 Hukselfux: 95www.meteocontrol.com www.gnb.com www.younicos.com www.hukseflux.comOMRON: 63 Kipp & Zonen: 75 Trojan: 87 Solar Log: 99www.industrial.omron.eu/ www.kippzonen.com/razon www.trojanbattery.com www.solar-log.comtechnoproget PV Taiwan: 79 EKO Instruments: 91 Loser Chemie: 103Spire Solar: 69 www.PVTaiwan.com www.eko-eu.com www.loserchemie.dewww.spiresolar.com www.pessolar.com 135

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Breyer: 105 MORNSUN: 115 Jurchen Technology: 125 PES SOLAR: 137 www.breyer-extr.com www.mornsun-power.com www.jurchen-technology.de www.pessolar.com Multi-Contact: 107 www.multi-contact.com Tesvolt: 117 ALD Vacuum technologies Ecoppia: IBC EmaZys Technologies: 111 www.tesvolt.com GmbH: 129 www.ecoppia.com www.emazys.com www.ald-vt.com Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Fronius: OBC136 PES Solar Tegtmeyer GmbH: 119 Smartflower: 131 www.fronius.com www.ib-mut.de www.green-mole.co.uk/partner PVSEC-26: 123 UBM India: 133 www.pvsec-26.com www.ubmindia.in/renewable_ energy



WORD ON THE TWEET PES rounds up the latest tweets for an eclectic view on the world of solar energy and photovoltaics. Bitesize humour, trends, projects, policies – something for everyone. Poland.pl @Poland PV Solar Report @PVSolarReport Parishes all over #Poland want to build photovoltaic Elon Musk sets his sights at #solar roofs as part of farms #solarenergy http://poland.pl/economy/ SolarCity takeover http://ow.ly/OzEp303bIys investments-projects/parishes-plan-build-photo voltaic-farms/ …Beautiful Light @ARMOR_ASE Roy Gibson @Roy1Gibson Solar Power Intl @SPIConventionSolar #energy through organic @EnergyGainUK please see Entergy’s solar power plant in Newphotovoltaic is more than electricity! our latest low ballast flat roof Orleans East is up and running#GoSolar #Afrique #InnoGeneration 29.5KWp Solar Photovoltaic http://ow.ly/qDut303b0BK install Stockport Cheshire. #SolarIsNow Joe O’Connor @jo3oconnor Kenya to Install 9.6 Forbes Verified account @Forbes UK startup MW of Solar micro grids to Power Remote North provides a pay-as-you go solar power solution across http://buff.ly/2aOU6RV @REWorld Africa http://on.forbes.com/6014BF0jo UN Climate Action Verified account @UNFCCC Science Channel Verified account 227,500 homes in India are about to be powered by @ScienceChannel Scientists created a bionic #SolarEnergy, thanks to @FirstSolar http://bit. leaf that can convert solar energy to fuel. ly/2bmMCEn http://bit.ly/28Wn777 Bikram Majithia Verified account @bsmajithia We are working towards incrementing the solar power generation by installing rooftop projects of 100MW capability until 2018. /1 World Economic Forum Verified account @wef Chernobyl Solar Energy News @SolarEnergyNews could be turned into a #solar energy farm http://wef.ch/2aZi3Be #Dubai to Build 1 Gigawatt #Solar Power Plant http://goo.gl/eBQvKyMike Hudema @MikeHudema “I’d put my Mr. Drinks On Me @Mr_DrinksOnMe Our office is run onmoney on...#solar energy. I hope we don’t solar power. It means when we use our air conditioner, we’rehave to wait until oil & coal run out before using the power of the Sun to reduce the power of the Sun.we tackle that.138 PES Solar