PV String Controller

CM2 SOLAR PV String Controller module continually monitors the production level of the electrical energy produced by the photovoltaicpanels, and detects any inefficiency, in order to intervene promptly if losses occur, due to faults in the production system. Eventhough the device has contained dimensions (just 9 DIN modules):

• • Measures 8 string currents up to 10 A with voltage up to 1000 V DC
  • Measures temperature (-30 °C +75 °C)
  • Logs 3 logic status via 3 optically isolated inputs (e.g. discharger status, switch status etc.)
  • Captures 2 environmental parameters at a pulse level (solarimeter, panel temperature, ambient temperature)
  • Drives 1 load via an open collector output
  • Makes a feed-through connection with cable sections up to 4 mmq
  • Measures the string voltage by means of an external module input (XM20, optional)
  • Communicates via Modbus-RTU via 3-wire RS-485 bus
  • Thanks to the RS-485 connection, it can create an apparatus network

 
The standard Modbus-RTU makes the following information continuously available:

• • Instantaneous value of the 8 string currents
  • Average value of the 8 string currents for the last range between 2 requests
  • Maximum value of the 8 string currents for the last range between 2 requests
  • 3 digital inputs status
  • 2 digital environmental parameter inputs
  • Implementation of an output
  • Instantaneous, average and maximum values of string voltage (option via XM20)
  • Temperature measurement (-30°C +75°C)

The device allows to turn a normal parallel string panel into a proper latest-generation string box, limiting the bulkiness of cables and costs to the full. This makes CM2 SOLAR PV String Controller the most versatile solution on the market. The information transmitted to a CM2 log concentrator are appropriately made available (via Web or locally) by the SMT-Solar software, which can display data online, it can process and illustrate them graphically and, at the end, it can represent them historically. By this way these data can be used to determine actual system efficiency and establish actual production level, compared to the level forecast by the project.