IOT Based Multi agent Micro Inverter for Condition Monitoring and Controlling of PV Systems

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers not only to the connectivity of systems and devices but to the related applications and services that provide monitoring and control of complex systems and services. Micro inverters due to their advantages to central inverters, get more attentions. Conventional micro inverters in solar applications only transfer energy from solar cells to grid or loads. Solar smart inverters in addition to transferring energy, can monitor condition to detect faults and also operate as multi agent systems. IOT interconnection can bring lots of new characteristics to micro inverters. This kind of IoT solar energy system can collect and analyze inverter data, control solar farms, monitor the condition, detect faults and optimize efficiency under various operating conditions. The proposed system in this paper continuously monitor the parameters of micro inverter and solar module, i.e voltage, current, temperature, power. Additionally the proposed system can change control parameters such as current controller parameters and operating points such as delivered power. During the abnormal condition if any of the parameters like voltage and current decreases from the ideal conditions then this will be monitored and the values will be displayed on web based page. In this paper, applications of this micro inverter and opportunity achieved due to usage of IOT solar system are discussed and a prototype is implemented to prove the concept.