Effective real-time performance monitoring and diagnostics of individual panels in PV plants

Abstract

In this paper, we present an improved version of a recently-developed monitoring circuit devised to measure the operating voltage and current, the open circuit voltage, and the short circuit current of string-connected photovoltaic (PV) panels. The system can substitute the junction box, is fully self-powered, and does not require additional cables thanks to a wireless communication. An extensive experimental campaign is performed to prove the reliability and usefulness of the system for continuous monitoring of PV plants; in particular, the capability to detect the effects of partial shading conditions on a PV string is highlighted.