DIGITAL TWIN FOR PV MODULE FAULT DETECTION

Abstract

This paper is focused on photovoltaic (PV) installation fault detection techniques. Three methods of PV module fault detection were proposed, implemented, and tested on real PV plant located in Nürnberg, Germany. Proposed methods are based on calculation results produced using the Digital Twin (DT) concept. Power values at maximum power point (MPP) under standard test conditions are used during the calculations (as Pmpp). Pmpp distributions by each month method is based on the statistical distribution of all PV modules from the same plant grouped by months, global Pmpp distribution method uses all available data uses similar approach with no month-related specifics, and Pmpp average calculations method is based on the average points calculation for each module during the period. All of these approaches provide entirely accurate results and allow finding modules with faults. However, the boundary abnormal modules count varies in each method, and additional module-based analysis may be required based on the purpose (monosemantic results for the most abnormal modules against more comprehensive results which include boundary modules).

Keywords

• digital twin
• photovoltaic
• module degradation
• module fault detection
• fault detection