Optimizing Performance with SC-Connect IIoT and SC-Vision
Client: Confidential Utility-Scale Developer | Location: Midwest, USA | Solution: Smart Grid IoT & Monitoring
The Challenge
The client operates a sprawling 50MW solar farm across challenging terrain, utilizing thousands of individual inverters and tracking systems. The primary challenge was achieving unified, real-time data acquisition and control across the entire site to minimize downtime and maximize energy harvest. Existing monitoring solutions were fragmented, leading to slow fault detection and reactive maintenance.
The SolarComtech Solution
SolarComtech deployed a comprehensive Smart Grid solution centered on the SC-Connect Utility Hub and the SC-Vision Enterprise software platform. The SC-Connect Hubs were strategically placed to aggregate data from all inverters, weather stations, and trackers, utilizing a redundant fiber-optic and cellular network for high-reliability data transmission.
The SC-Vision platform provided the client's operations team with a single pane of glass for monitoring. Key features utilized included:
- Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms analyzed performance data to forecast component failures, allowing for proactive replacement.
- Automated Control: Remote control capabilities for inverters and trackers, enabling rapid response to grid events.
- Performance Benchmarking: Real-time comparison of expected vs. actual energy yield to identify underperforming areas instantly.
The Results
+4.5%
Increase in Annual Energy Production (AEP) due to faster fault resolution.
20%
Reduction in Operations & Maintenance (O&M) costs through predictive scheduling.
< 5 min
Average time to detect and diagnose a major system fault.
Conclusion: By integrating advanced IIoT hardware and intelligent software, SolarComtech transformed the client's operation from reactive to predictive, significantly boosting the farm's financial and operational performance.