Solmetric PVA-600 User manual

Solmetric PV ANALYZER PV Analyser Quick Start Guide

Charging the Battery

The battery in the PV ANALYZER is not removable. It may be recharged byattaching the battery

charger to the connector on the PV ANALYZER shownbelow and plugging the charger into an AC

wall-plug.

Charging the battery can take up to 6 hours. Once the battery has been charged, the PV ANALYZER will

operate for approximately 2 days of normaluse. During heavy use, nightly charging is suggested.

The PV ANALYZER Software interface will warn the user when approximatelyone hour of battery life

remains.

The software user interface displays the Disabled alert (below the MeasureNow button) when the

battery is nearing the end of its charge. In this state, no measurements can be taken.

Computer Minimum Requirements

•

Tested and Supported Operating System: Windows 7® (32 and 64bit versions), Windows Vista®

(32 bit versions only), Windows XP® SP3

•

Two USB Ports (or one USB port if wireless sensors will not beused)

•

Display Resolution: 1024 X 600 (minimum)

•

Processor Speed: >700 MHz

•

RAM: >500 Mbytes

•

Available Disc Space: 100 Mbytes or more

Systems that do not meet these requirements may not operate correctly

PV ANALYZER Operational States

The PV ANALYZER can be in any of the following operational states:

•

Power off –LED off (I-V Measurement Unit is turned off)

•

Network search –LED blinking (press the power button once toturn the Unit on and start it

searching for the PC)

•

Sweep enabled –LED on (I-V network exists and sweep isenabled)

•

Sweeping –LED blinks once at start of each sweep when the I-VMeasurement Unit receives a

sweep trigger from the PC.

•

Sweep disabled –LED off (press the power button once to disablethe I-V sweep)

•

Reset –LED blinking (press and hold the power button for morethan 5 seconds to force a power-

up type reset)

Specifications

•

Current Measurement Range: 0 to 20/30 A dc

•

Voltage Measurement Range: 0 to 1000/1500 V dc

•

Operating Temperature: +0ºC to +50º C

•

Storage Temperature: -20ºC to +60º C

•

Operating Humidity: 10 to 80%

Precautions

PV Connectors

Always keep Connector-Saver jumpers attached to the primary test leads toextend the life of the primary PV

connectors. To prevent damage to matingconnectors, replace the Connector-Saver jumpers when they have

been connected 100 times. Cut off the used-up connectors to prevent re-use.

PV/Electrical Safety Precautions

PV systems differ widely in design and construction. Therefore theguidance provided in this section

is general in nature.

WARNING The operator must assess the potential dangers of eachPV system, and take appropriate

precautions.

FAILURE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS COULD LEAD

TO PERSONALINJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.

WARNING Do not remove instrument covers. There are no user serviceable parts within.

Operation of the instrument in amanner not specified by Solmetric may result in personalinjury or loss

of life.

•

Do not use the PV ANALYZER in wet environments.

•

Wear electrical safety gloves and eye protection.

•

Assume that metal surfaces are energized unless provenotherwise.

•

Isolate the PV source circuit to be tested from the inverter andfrom other PV source circuits

before making any electrical connections to the test device (PV module or string).

•

Always disable the measurement sequence using the LED- illuminated pushbutton switch on the I-

V unit before connectingor disconnecting the test leads of the PV ANALYZER.

•

Connect the test leads to the test device (PV module, string, orarray) with the correct polarity.

•

Do not use the PV ANALYZER to test devices that produce more thanthe instrument’s specified

maximum current and voltage.

•

Do not operate at or subject the PV ANALYZER to temperatures beyondthe published operating

and storage temperature specifications.

•

Inspect cables and connectors for damage before using. Do notuse if damaged.

•

Do not use the I-V Measurement Unit if it is damaged. Alwaysinspect for damage before using.

•

Do not use the I-V Measurement Unit if it is performing abnormally. Contact Solmetric for

guidance or return the I-VMeasurement Unit to the factory for service.

Overview

Proper operation of the Solmetric PV ANALYZER includes the following steps:

Installing the Software

Setting up the PV ANALYZER

Setting up a Performance Model

Connecting to the PV Equipment

Powering up the I-V Measurement Unit

Making I-V Measurements

Viewing and Analyzing the Data

1. Installing the Software

Start the installer by inserting the pendrive provided/ downloading the setup file, the installation

file is available at www.solmetric.com.

Follow the instructions in the welcome screen to install the PV ANALYZER software. The

drivers for the wireless USB adapter will also be installed. The directory structure shown

here is created.

When the installation process is finished, start the PV ANALYZER software by double-clicking

on the shortcut icon on your desktopas shown below.

Or, in the Start menu, select Programs>Solmetric>PV Analyzer>Solmetric PV Analyzer

2. Setting Up the PV ANALYZER

Place the I-V Measurement Unit close to the PV device to bemeasured.

CAUTION In hot weather, place the PV ANALYZER in the shade to reducethe likelihood of thermal

shutdown. Don’t place the PV ANALYZER on hot asphalt or the roof in direct sun.

NOTE The PV ANALYZER will automatically shut down if its internaltemperature reaches a

preset limit. Internal temperature isincreased by PV energy collected during I-V sweeps,

andalso by heat absorbed from the environment, including high ambient air temperature,

hot surfaces on which the PV ANALYZER is placed, and exposure to direct sunlight.

Ensure that the Connector-Saver jumpers are installed on theprimary test leads.

If using alligator clip leads or extension cables, connect them to the connector-saver jumpers. Be

sure these leads are rated for themaximum current and voltage of the I-V Measurement Unit.

If long extension cables are used, lay the cables alongside one another to minimize the

inductance they add to the measurementcircuit path.

Connect the Wireless USB Adapter to a USB port in yourcomputer.

If you will be using the PV ANALYZER Sensor Kit, refer to the followingsection for

setup information.

3. Setting Up a Performance Model

The following procedure shows how to set up a performance model in thePV Analyzer software to compare

with the I-V measurements.

In the PV ANALYZER Software, drop down the Model menu and select

Properties…

In the Name tab, enter a model name.

In the Location tab, enter Latitude, Longitude and Time Zone.

In the Modules / String tab, enter string information. Select theDetailed or Simple performance

model.

If you chose the Detailed Performance Model, click onChange... and select the PV

module manufacturer andmodel number from the drop down lists.

If you will be entering performance model parameters fromthe manufacturer’s published

specifications, select SimplePerformance Model and edit the default values to matchyour

module’s datasheet.

NOTE Enter temperature coefficients in units of % / C. If the manufacturer supplies coefficients

for Voc (STC) in unitsof V / C, this value can be converted to % / C by dividingthe

supplied number by Voc and multiplying by 100.

Enter the number of modules in each string and the numberof strings in parallel that are being

tested.

In the Inverter tab, select your inverter (optional step).

In the Wiring tab, enter the wire gauge and the wire length

•

Wire Length is the one-way length of the PV output conductors from the ends of the

module/string under test to the point where the PV ANALYZER is connected. (For two 50

footleads running between the I-V unit and the string, enter “50”not “100”.)

In the Sensor Methods tab, select irradiance and temperature sensor methods. See the PV

ANALYZER User’s Guide for more details.

If you choose the wireless irradiance sensor, in the CalFactor box, enter the cal factor

from the sensor label.

If you choose to enter the irradiance manually, enter theirradiance in the Irradiance

(POA) text box.

If you choose to use a wireless temperature sensor, enter a temperature Offset number

that represents the rise in PV celltemperature compared with the measured temperature.

In the Inverter tab, select your inverter (optional step).

In the Wiring tab, enter the wire gauge and the wire length

•

Wire Length is the one-way length of the PV output conductors from the ends of the

module/string under test to the point where the PV ANALYZER is connected. (For two 50

footleads running between the I-V unit and the string, enter “50”not “100”.)

In the Sensor Methods tab, select irradiance and temperature sensor methods. See the PV

ANALYZER User’s Guide for more details.

If you choose the wireless irradiance sensor, in the CalFactor box, enter the cal factor

from the sensor label.

If you choose to enter the irradiance manually, enter theirradiance in the Irradiance

(POA) text box.

If you choose to use a wireless temperature sensor, enter a temperature Offset number that

represents the rise in PV celltemperature compared with the measured temperature

In the Array Plane tab, enter the slope and azimuth of the PV modules under test. Always perform

this step if you are using the Sandia Performance Model and a wireless or manual irradiance

sensor.

4. Connecting to the PV Equipment

WARNING PV systems differ widely in design and construction. Therefore the procedure

described below is general in nature. The operator must assess the potential dangers of each

particular PV system, and take appropriate safety precautions. FAILURE TO TAKE

APPROPRIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY OR LOSS

OF LIFE.

1. Isolate the PV module string to be tested (test string) from the inverter and from other strings in the

array. If the measurement is being made at a fused DC combiner box, isolate the combiner box by

means of the DC disconnect switch, then isolate the PV strings from one another by pulling their

fuses.

2. Press the button on the I-V Measurement Unit to disable the I-V sweep.

WARNING PV circuits continue to present danger of electrical shock when fuses are pulled and

the PV ANALYZER system is paused.

3. Following safe operating procedures, connect the PV ANALYZER to the test string. The

connection may be made at PV connectors at the ends of the test string, or by clipping to the de-

energized buss bars in a DC combiner box, using suitable test leads with MC-4 connectors at one

end and insulated alligator clips at the other end.

4. If one or both of the terminals of the test device must be some distance from the I-V Measurement

Unit, use extension cables made of UL (or equivalent) listed PV wire, with correctly installed

connectors. Select a wire gauge that will introduce minimal voltage drop.

5. When extension cables are longer than 10 feet (one-way), lay the cables close to one another to

minimize added cable inductance.

6. If connecting at a fused combiner box, insert one fuse to select the string to be measured.

7. Powering-Up the I-V MeasurementUnit

Press the power button once on the I-V Measurement Unit.

The LED will begin to blink indicating that the I-V Measurement Unit isattempting to

establish communication with the wireless USB adapter connected to the PC. If the

wireless USB adapter is inserted into an operating PC, a network will be established and

the LED will become continuously lit (no blinking). If a network is not established within

15 minutes, the I-V Measurement Unit will turn off to conserve the battery.

7.Making I-V Measurements

Ensure that the PC is running the Solmetric PV Analyzer software, that the wireless USB adapter is

connected to the PC, that the PV ANALYZER is properly connected to the PV equipment, and that

the I-V Measurement Unit is wirelessly connected to the PC (the “Measure Now” button will be

colored green).

NOTE If the Wireless USB Adapter used for PV ANALYZER or wireless sensor communication is

installed before starting the software, the USB port will be found automatically. If you install the

Wireless USB Adapter(s) after starting the software, you must select the proper USB ports on your

PC manually using the Utility/Settings menu.

1. Click on the Measure Now button to start a measurement.

•The Ready button will change to Measuring and blink during the measurement. The red

pushbutton on the I-V Measurement Unit will blink once.

•The I-V Measurement Unit measures a single I-V curve each time the user clicks on the Measure

Now button. I-V data is transmitted to the PC shortly after each I-V sweep is taken.

2. Save the trace by pressing “Save Trace…” in the Traces tab. Saved trace data can be viewed by a

program that can read a csv file, such as Excel®. See the User’s Guide for further instructions.

3. Pause the measurement sequence of the PV ANALYZER by pressing the power button.

WARNING Do not disconnect from the tested string unless the red power button is turned off.

4. Disconnect from the tested string and connect to the next string to be measured.

Repeat the process until all strings have been measured.

WARNING PV circuits continue to present danger of electrical shockwhile system is paused.

FAILURE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS COULD LEAD TO

PERSONAL INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.

If you are using the PV ANALYZER Sensor Kit, perform the following:

Insert the Wireless Sensor USB Adapter into a second USBport.

Ensure that the PV ANALYZER Sensor Kit is set up correctly.

Turn on the sensor transmitters by pressing the I/0 buttononce.

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