AIST Develops Communication Technology to Monitor Individual Solar Panels

Copyright National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) announced on June 14, 2010, that it has developed a communication technology that uses the direct current (DC) power line of individual solar panels as a communication line, and has successfully demonstrated the principle of the technology on a prototype system. The technology helps monitor the power generated by each panel and enables the easy detection of separate panel malfunctions.

The communication unit in the prototype system is small enough to be installed in the terminal box of the panel without additional wiring. It is inexpensive to produce, so the target cost for full-scale production is less than 200 yen (about U.S.$2.40). Because a central unit screen displays power generation performance for each panel in real-time, the occurrence of a malfunction can now more easily be detected.

Solar power generation systems for ordinary houses are rarely maintained after installation. Even when a malfunction is suspected, identification of the defective panel is impossible, having the potential to bring about overall solar power decline.

AIST plans to improve the unit's noise robustness, miniaturize it even further, and reduce its costs. It also aims to quickly license the technology to commercialize it.

Posted: 2011/02/02 06:00:15 AM