PROJECTS
In conjunction with Masermic, IK4-TEKNIKER is developing a complete system designed to manage solar power production efficiently and flexibly. The project involves integrating a platform to manage the current micro inverters fitted to each panel so that the intelligent management of the whole system can be achieved.
Photovoltaic energy has gone a long way since its beginnings, not only in terms of power and coverage, but also in terms of price and competitiveness. Today, it is the source of a very significant percentage of domestic and business consumption.
The coming of age of this energy source has led to the growing sophistication of every detail in the production process. That is why the company Masermic based in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country) approached IK4-TEKNIKER. The company is seeking to add value to one of its products relating to this technology and achieve competitiveness.
Normally, the plants connect the solar power produced by the photovoltaic panels with an inverter, a device that converts direct current into alternating current so that it can be transported more effectively.
Masermic had a plan to transform this system and fit a micro inverter, an inverter that is smaller than the usual ones. The intention was to incorporate it into each of the photovoltaic panels in order to inject the power generated into the electricity grid, instead of having various panels connected to a single larger inverter. It is a solution that provides flexibility, ease of installation and greater control over the power generated so that greater efficiency can be achieved.
The role of the Basque R&D centre in the project has been to completely design and develop the SWS500 communications gateway which allows, by means of a remote monitoring interface, more effective and specific monitoring of the whole electricity production system in the solar plant. The communications between the communications gateway and the micro inverters will be made through carrier currents (PLC – Power Line Communications).
The R&D centre’s experts consider that the solution involving the installing of new photovoltaic panels each with their own micro inverters is highly innovative and could spread rapidly. If the remote management developed in this project is added to this system, the value for Masermic will increase significantly. This solution will contribute towards improving the management of photovoltaic energy generation facilities.
