Intelligent system for monitoring and control of photovoltaic plants and for optimization of solar energy production

This paper describes an intelligent electronic system designed to monitor, both locally or remotely, a PV system in order to detect any theft or malfunction and to optimize energy production by efficient algorithm for driving the plant's solar trackers. The system consists of several electronic boards; the CS097 sensing/processing board detects environmental parameters, temperature and solar radiation, calculates produced power and energy for monitoring efficiency and electricity production. The CS083/CS088 electrical boards work as alarm anti-theft system which detects a critical condition in case of electrical continuity loss or not-justified rapid variation of PV string voltage; the intelligent unit has dual operation mode that makes it capable of auto-adapting itself distinguishing between day and night. The designed CS012 board controls a biaxial solar tracker and instantly calculates the sun position at latitude and longitude of the installation site so following solar orbit.