Controls & Automation
Photovoltaic monitoring
Carlo Gavazzi, a global manufacturer of automation components, presents the Eos-Array, an innovative control solution for solar photovoltaic (PV) applications.
June 5, 2009 By Energy Management
The renewable energy market is growing worldwide, as conventional energy costs rise, and due to the heightened awareness of long term ecological issues. To satisfy this rising demand for ‘green technologies’, Carlo Gavazzi has expanded its energy management portfolio with the addition of the EOS-Array, a unique, modular controller for solar PV installations.
The Eos-Array is a combination of modules which perform the complete control of a photovoltaic plant. It is also extremely expandable. The core unit is the VMU-M which performs the local bus management of both measuring units, the VMU-S and the VMU-P, as well as the I/O unit, the VMU-O. The VMU-M assigns the proper local unit address automatically and gathers all the local measurements coming from VMU-S and VMU-P measuring units. The VMU-M can provide, by means of VMU-O modules, two relay outputs to manage alarms and/or external loads (such as a a lighting system, a PV washing system, etc.) and two PV panel temperature inputs. The VMU-S is the DC power measuring unit (generated by PV panel), which features a built-in fuse holder. The VMU-P collects relevant environmental data (through external sensors) such as wind speed, air temperature and sun irradiation. The Eos-ArraySoft is freeware software, which either automatically or manually can download the Eos-Array system memory to the PC, for further PV plant efficiency calculations and alarm analysis.
Relevant Technical Features: All Module Units
• Housing (HxWxD): 90×17.5x67mm for DIN-rail mounting
• Maximum width of full array: 280mm
• Protection degree (front): IP40
VMU-M Unit: Master Module
• RS485 (Modbus) communication port
• Local communication bus management, for up to 15 VMU-Ss
• Two digital inputs for status and energy counting
• Data stamping system: V, A, W, Wh, PV cell, ambient temperature, variable and string alarms
• Front 6-digit LCD display
• 24VDC power supply
VMU-S Unit: String Controller
• DC V, A, W, Wh metering
• Solar PV analysis
• Anti-theft control
• Built-in fuse holder
• Direct DC measurements up to 16A/800V
VMU-P Unit: Environmental Variables Management
• Two temperature inputs for either Pt100 or Pt1000
• One irradiation input
• One wind speed input
VMU-O Unit: Local I/O
• Two digital inputs for trip protection detection
• Two relay outputs for variable alarms and local control
The Eos-Array carries the CE and RoHS marks, and are cUL approved – your assurance of a high quality and safe product.
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