Solar Sentry specializes in solar
array diagnostic services for commercial-scale solar electric sites.
Most solar photovoltaic sites today collect overall energy production
data as well as diagnostics from the inverter(s) that connect
the solar array to the power grid. This information helps
operations personnel deal with major outages in a timely and efficient
manner. However, with very little information from the array of solar
panels, significant problems go undetected, negatively impacting return
on investment. When required, array maintenance is costly, hazardous and
time consuming due to the lack of diagnostic information.
Our patent-pending technology
monitors all wiring connections and solar panels with
inexpensive wireless technology, allowing us to
provide diagnostic services that pinpoint all solar array connection
failures and underperforming solar panels. Data is collected over the internet every few minutes and analyzed regularly so that we can promptly
recommend
specific repair as appropriate, helping maximize uptime and efficiency.
When service personnel arrive at the reported problem location,
they receive visual confirmation from LED indicators, confirming their
repair order information and simplifying maintenance.
Key features of our unique service
are
simplicity, automatic installation and the reduction of overall site
installation and maintenance cost. By collecting granular
solar array information, we pinpoint the nature and location of
virtually any solar array problem,
including:
•
all array connection failures
•
intermittent connection failures
•
defective solar panels
•
partially defective solar panels
• out-of-spec
solar panels
•
soiled solar panels
•
panel shading
•
defective bypass diodes
•
blown fuses
• array
to inverter wiring
Economic Benefit
We believe most commercial photovoltaic power sites are losing 5% or
more of their potential output due to problems in their solar arrays; a
3% gain from the use of our services will result in a double-digit
after-tax IRR.
Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit - SMUD
A typical commercial-scale
solar electric site has 1,000 or more solar panels. Even with
site-wide monitoring,
significant problems in the solar array go undetected yet cost
the owners 5% or more of their energy payback. When solar array
problems are suspected, the absence of quality diagnostics forces
the owner to either ignore the problem or deploy skilled technicians to the
site to search for the problem by dismantling portions of it.
