A look through the web cam showed that at this time of day, a small amount of shading from the higher roof was reducing the output on string 4. When students noticed the current output on string 4 dropping well below the other strings, they knew something was wrong. It also shows how in a well-behaved system the power output follows the irradiance level very closely on an instantaneous basis.Ĭomparing data seen on the screens with a visual examination via the outdoor webcam As this graph shows the irradiance level (and therefore the system power output) can change very, very quickly. The can also compare the irradiance to the total DC output of the 8.8 KW array.īy using silicon irradiance sensors instead of pyranometers, the IMT Solar system is able to show the real time data in 1 second intervals. Students and visitors are able to see the direct relationship between solar irradiance and the current output of each string. Primary performance monitoring screen for the Solar PV system compares four string currents and the total DC output to the solar irradiance level Built in web servers allow access to the data across campus and across the internet via a web browser. Additionally, a 23″ touch screen PC was added in the main visitor area of the home for viewing by all visitors. IMT Solar designed the system around two control enclosures containing micro-PLC’s, dedicated touch screens in each enclosure for local viewing of the data, and the home’s Ethernet network infrastructure. Some of the IMT Solar personnel had vast experience in Industrial Automation and knew that a PLC based solution like ‘REVTOS’ would give Alfred everything they were looking for, as well as the expandability for future system add-on’s. A chance meeting at IMT Solar in Buffalo, NY brought the two organizations together. In order to collect, log, and view data for the home and to control various loads in it, Alfred looked for a monitoring and control solution that would suit them for the long term. IMT Solar was contracted to provide a monitoring and controls system for all four renewable energy systems, as well as some building performance data The renewable energy systems included in the home are an 8.8 KW roof mounted Solar PV system, an 8 collector tube Solar Thermal system for hot water production, a 3-ton, 4-bore hole Geothermal system for HVAC, and a 2.5 KW wind turbine. The concept of the home is to be a long term demonstration and research tool for the students and the public on green construction methods and renewable energy systems. Beginning in 2010 and finishing in 2011, the students built a 2000 square foot “zero-energy” home on campus. Alfred State College’s Zero Energy Home on the Wellsville, NY campusĪlfred State College is a hands-on technical college in Wellsville, NY and part of the SUNY system.
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