Solar power monitoring systems

31May

Mersen has introduced several new electronic card products for monitoring solar installations, both large and small, together with emergency isolation switches and fuseholders. Among these is a card capable of monitoring six strings and detecting problems as they occur by spotting their precise location in the string. Auxiliary cards can be added in order to monitor up to 30 strings in total.

The main card and four additional auxiliary cards can be installed in Mersen's HelioProtection junction boxes to monitor solar panel strings. The benefits include proactive maintenance, an increase in the power performance of the system (an improved rate of energy actually produced compared with theoretical energy production) and more secure return on investment. Mersen's HelioProtection junction boxes, complete with self-powered monitoring electronic cards, enable various monitoring and diagnostic functions to be embedded in order to manage energy generation and equipment maintenance.

Different national guidelines recommend that in solar PV installations the dc circuit can be isolated at a point close to the PV modules ensuring appropriate access for emergency responders. Mersen now offers a product to meet this safety requirement. The PV Fire Shunt device is capable of reducing the voltage to almost 0V - achieved by pulling down activating handle with a pike pole. The device is housed in a fire-resistant enclosure. One PV Fire Shunt secures three PV strings, which is common in residential PV installations.

Besides the gPV string fuse links: HP6M (10x38mm), HP10M (10x38mm), DC10 (10x85mm) Mersen can now supply gPV main fuse links compliant with the NH standard (square-bodied fuse links with blade-type connections). For 1,000Vdc the company can offer a ‘short’ NH size 1 with ratings from 50A to 160A and a ‘long’ NH size 3 with ratings from 250A to 400A. A 1,500Vdc NH model is due to br launched at the end of 2012.

Mersen has also introduced a new UltraSafe fuse holder for 10x38 sized fuse links. USGM1HEL fuse holder is easy to use and saves time for installers. Easy wiring is the key feature of this new product; another is the limitation of dc effects on the wiring provided by the Wago Cage Clamp technology utilised in this product.

Mersen will be participating in Intersolar 2012 which is held from 13 to 15 June 2012 at the Munich Trade Fair Centre. Intersolar is the world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry, and Mersen will show its products on stand B6.361