The Industry

The solar photovoltaic (PV) system is experiencing rapid growth within the renewable energy industry. The ability to convert solar energy into electricity without generating any carbon emissions has introduced an exceptionally eco-friendly and sustainable approach to address the growing global energy demand. According to the United Nations, every nation, city, financial institution, and company must embrace net-zero plans and take immediate action to steer toward this objective of reducing emissions by 45% by 2030.

The latest report from Precedence Research states that the global solar PV market, motivated by the goal of achieving Carbon neutrality by 2060 and supported by government incentives and technological advancements, was valued at USD 159.84 billion in 2021. It is projected to surpass USD 250.63 billion by 2030 and is expected to grow steadily at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2022 to 2030.

On the other hand, currently, the difficulties in running solar PV systems include but are not limited to managing energy management systems, efficiency performance, unfriendly working environments for human workers, etc. However, integrating Fibocom's advanced wireless technology with solar PV systems substantially helps improve the current situation. Through enhanced connectivity and seamless data transmission, remote real-time monitoring and control of solar PV systems became possible, minimizing the need for manual interventions and enhancing operational efficiency. These improve the performance and reliability of solar PV systems and create a more user-friendly and safer working environment for human workers involved in system operation and maintenance.

Currently, there are three areas where solar PV systems need the support of wireless technology:

1.     Enterprise-level solar projects are often situated in remote areas abundant with sunlight but need more fiber infrastructure. To effectively monitor solar cell operation and status in real-time, there is a pressing need for additional basic infrastructure like fiber optic cables. Cellular wireless technology is required to fulfill communication requirements in these remote and well-illuminated photovoltaic power plant locations.

2.     It’s crucial for operators to find a way to measure the solar energy conversion efficiency and then quantify it to financial earnings.

3.     Solar operation heavily relies on climate change. The owners urgently need advanced technologies to improve their climate resilience capability, for example, weather forecasts and extreme weather predictions.

Fibocom 4G/5G Wireless Module Solutions Improve the Efficiency of Solar PV System

PSC (Solar PV System Inverter)

PV power generation utilizes the PV effect at the interface of the PV module to directly convert light energy to electrical energy (Inverters convert voltage from DC to AC. Solar panels generate DC, whereas households primarily consume AC. Thus, inverters convert solar energy into a form that is usable in end users’ homes.). The inverter, combiner box, pyranometer, weather station, electricity meter, and other equipment of a PV power station is capable of connecting to the 4G network wirelessly with embedded wireless modules, therefore can collect the data from the inverter and then transmitting to the platform in real-time. Implementing Fibocom 4G modules allow convenient access for power station managers and users to view operational data and manage the system of the PV power station.

Industrial Gateway/DTU

New energy power stations, such as wind power, solar storage, etc., involve various business scenario requirements such as PV components, environmental conditions, and equipment monitoring. Industrial gateway/DTU equipped with 4G/5G modules can enable mutual communication between devices, and utilizing the application layer based on the data collected, solved the last-mile communication challenges.

Security Monitoring

High definition (HD) camera is another common way to capture and monitor data related to the performance and condition of PV stations. Benefiting from 5G’s high speed, low latency, and high data throughput, HD cameras equipped with 5G modules can transfer real-time detailed visuals to the platform that enable accurate solar PV installation analysis, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Furthermore, the cameras help monitor these components' performance, cleanliness, and physical condition. By providing high-resolution visuals, HD cameras enable maintenance experts to detect and diagnose problems such as panel degradation, shading, loose connections, or physical damage. This information is crucial for timely repairs and therefore maximizing system efficiency.