Technical Information

Optiprotect
Optimizing Yields through Automatic Error Processing
for the SUNNY CENTRAL CP series

Contents
Optiprotect is a string failure detection technology for large PV generators. The Optiprotect option is intended for the Sunny Central CP series and can be used with all module technologies. The effort required for installation and configuration is smaller with Optiprotect, since a separate communication cable and using Sunny String-Monitors is not necessary. The intelligent string failure detection system, centralized directly inside the inerter, requires no manual configuration. Individual string failures are detected safely and reliably. Motorized circuit breakers allow faulty partial generators to be switched off. Optiprotect offers maximum system availability and optimizes yields through automatic error processing.

SMID_SC_CP-TI-UEN110110

Version 1.0

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Technical Information

Overview of Monitoring Solutions

1 Overview of Monitoring Solutions

1.1Optiprotect Technology Solution
Central monitoring. String power detection and string evaluation is performed directly in the central inverter with Optiprotect. Automatic configuration: intelligent string failure detection. No separate communication cable required. Protection in the central inverter through a motorized circuit breaker and through an SMA String Combiner for Sunny Central in the PV plant.

1.2Sunny String-Monitor Solution

Decentralized monitoring. String power detection is performed with Sunny String-Monitors in the PV plant, string evaluation is performed in the central inverter. Manual configuration: string monitoring. Separate communication cable required. Protection in the central inverter through LV/HRC input fuses.

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Optiprotect Technology Solution

2 Optiprotect Technology Solution

2.1Layout and Operation of Optiprotect
Central monitoring. The Optiprotect option is integrated directly into the central inverter.
PV modules SUNNY CENTRAL 800CP String connector with fuses
1 max. 1100 V 50 1 2 16

OPTIPROTECT
1 2

TCS 800SC Public grid

3 x 360 V / 50 Hz

32

String connector with fuses

1

50 DC AC

Figure: Layout of a PV plant with Optiprotect and a Sunny Central 800CP The strings are connected to the Optiprotect DC measurement inputs through the string combiner. Current sensors monitor the strings. With Optiprotect, string power detection and string evaluation is performed directly in the central inverter. Ground fault monitoring is implemented using an insulation monitoring device and circuit breakers in insulated systems and with a motorized GFDI switch and circuit breakers in grounded systems. In case of a fault, e.g., an insulation fault, the respective monitoring device will trip. The faulty strings are detected, located and disconnected from the PV plant in combination with the circuit breakers. A message is issued via the Sunny WebBox. Therefore, 15 of 16 partial generators will continue to be available without requiring service staff.

Fusing
In the Optiprotect system, 16 circuit breakers replace the LV/HRC input fuses and the central switchdisconnector, which are used in the Sunny String-Monitor solution. SMA Solar Technology AG also offers additional string combiners for protecting the strings of a PV plant, such as the SMA Sunny String Combiner for Sunny Central. Up to 50 strings can be connected per SMA String Combiner for Sunny Central.

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Optiprotect Technology Solution

2.2Using Optiprotect with all Module Technologies

A central inverter with Optiprotect can be operated with all module technologies, such as thin-film or crystalline modules.
PV modules
1

SMA String Combiner for Sunny Central max. 50 A

Use of thin-film modules (<<2 A)

DC measurement inputs 1 2 up to 32 measurements

50

3~

16

SMA String Combiner for Sunny Central max. 50 A

1

Circuit-breaker, motor-driven

Use of crystalline modules

50
DC measurement inputs up to 16 measurements 1 2

SMA String Combiner for Sunny Central max. 100 A

1

3~

16

50

Circuit-breaker, motor-driven

DC main lines

Figure: Module technologies Feature Electric current per module string Fusing Example for thin-film module layout Approx. 1 A 2 DC inputs equipped with a current sensor each, protected by 1 circuit breaker in the central inverter 32 DC measurement inputs possible, which makes it possible to centrally monitor up to 1 600 strings SMA String Combiner for Sunny Central with 50 A max. (e.g. 50 strings x 1 A) Example for crystalline module layout Approx. 7 A 1 DC input equipped with a current sensor, protected by 1 circuit breaker in the central inverter 16 DC measurement inputs possible, which makes it possible to centrally monitor up to 800 strings SMA String Combiner for Sunny Central with 100 A max. (e.g. 14 strings x 7 A)

Number of DC measurement inputs on 16 circuit breakers max. String combiner

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Optiprotect Technology Solution

2.3Intelligent String Failure Detection

Optiprotect is an intelligent string failure detection system. In larger PV plants, there is a large number of identically aligned strings. This allows for statistical evaluation procedures using an intelligent algorithm. The sum total currents of string groups are analyzed and saved for this. Optiprotect compares current values measured during operation with the saved values. This comparison makes it possible to detect deviations in individual strings or string groups. Optiprotect safely distinguishes between short-term, weather-induced output changes and real faults. If a value deviates significantly, an alert will be issued. The intelligent algorithm can reliably detect the failure of 1 faulty string within a string group. Automatic configuration requires only a few weeks.

2.4String Failure Alert

Information: In case of a failure, a message will be issued through the Sunny WebBox, which is integrated into all central inverters by default.

Failures and Time of Alert

The following table shows examples for the time required for an alert, depending on weather conditions and the employed module technologies. Failure Thin-film modules: 1 faulty string out of 50 strings Crystalline modules: 1 faulty string out of 13 strings 1 whole central inverter input Failure at the central inverter input 2% 7% 100 % Time of alert After approx. 8 days After approx. 4 days On the same day

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Optiprotect Technology Solution

2.5Automatic Handling of Insulation Faults

Information: The central inverter will continue to run safely throughout every automatic error processing without requiring any intervention.

Detecting and Locating Insulation Faults

A faulty string will automatically be detected and located in combination with an insulation monitoring device or a motorized GFDI switch.

Disconnecting Strings with Insulation Faults

In case of a fault (e.g. residual current), the central inverter will be disconnected from the AC grid immediately. Insulated system The insulation monitoring measuring device issues an alarm if the insulation resistance is low. The insulation resistance is measured consecutively for each DC input. The faulty partial generator will be separated from the PV plant through the respective circuit breaker. The additional PV plant will continue to operate safely, without any additional yields being lost. Grounded system The GFDI switch (GFDI - Ground Fault Detection and Interruption) will trip in case of a ground fault All circuit breakers will be interrupted. The GFDI switch will trip again when connecting the faulty partial generator. The other circuit breakers will be connected again one by one. The faulty partial generator will be separated from the PV plant through the respective circuit breaker. The additional PV plant will continue to operate safely, without any additional yields being lost.

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Optiprotect Technology Solution

2.6Optimizing Yields through Automatic Error Processing

The daily yield curves of a grounded PV plant in Germany are shown here as an example.
A
100 90

Central inverter power [%]

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

t1

t2

t3

Figure: Yield curves, example overview Position A B C D t1 t2 t3 Description Ideal yield curve Yield curve with insulation fault for a PV plant with Optiprotect Yield curve with insulation fault for a standard PV plant without Optiprotect Yield optimization with Optiprotect in case of a failure Insulation fault, entire PV plant is disconnected Optiprotect has located insulation fault and disconnected, PV plant continues to operate safely Insulation fault has been fixed by service staff

The ideal yield curve shows the progression without insulation faults. The maximum total yield is achieved. The yield curve with Optiprotect shows that only the faulty partial generator is disconnected through a motorized circuit breaker in case of an insulation fault in a string. 15 of 16 partial generators continue to operate safely. The total yield is only reduced by the amount of the faulty partial generator. The yield curve for a standard system (without Optiprotect) shows that the entire PV generator is switched off in case of a failure. The PV plant is standing still. No yield possible. Feed-in will not continue until the system is repaired by a service technician.

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Monitoring Solutions Compared

3 Monitoring Solutions Compared

3.1Features and Properties
Feature Layout Property Protection of DC main cables in the central inverter String combiner Communication cables on the PV plant Insulation monitoring device (insulated system) GFDI switch (grounded system) Configuration of the PV plant Procedure Optiprotect solution 16 motorized circuit breakers SMA String Combiner for Sunny Central Not necessary x Sunny String-Monitor solution 9 inputs with LV/HRC fuses Sunny String-Monitor RS485 bus x

Possible combination with monitoring device String failure detection

x Automatically, via intelligent initialization Central measurement and analysis of the sum total currents at the DC measurement inputs in the central inverter. Automatic Automatic Automatic The faulty string is disconnected, the remaining PV plant continues to operate safely. x

x Manually, via configurable initialization Decentralized measurement of the string currents in the Sunny String-Monitors of the PV plant. Analysis of currents in the central inverter. Automatic Manual The entire PV plant is standing still.

Insulation fault error processing

Detecting insulation faults Locating insulation faults Disconnection of insulation faults Status of faulty string and PV plant

Alarm

With Sunny WebBox

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Sunny String-Monitor Solution

4 Sunny String-Monitor Solution

4.1Layout and Operation of Sunny String-Monitor
Decentralized monitoring. The Sunny String-Monitors are located at the PV plant.
PV modules Sunny String-Monitor
1

SUNNY CENTRAL 800CP

max. 1100 V 3 x 360 V / 50 Hz

TCS 800SC Public grid

20 kV

24

Sunny String-Monitor
1

24

DC AC COM

Figure: Layout of PV plant with Sunny String-Monitor The strings are connected to the DC measurement inputs. Current sensors in the inputs of the Sunny String-Monitors are monitoring the strings. The Sunny String-Monitors are sending the current values to an evaluation unit in the central inverter through the RS485 bus communication cable. Ground fault monitoring is implemented using an insulation monitoring device and the central switchdisconnector in insulated systems and with a GFDI switch in grounded systems. In case of a fault, e.g., an insulation fault, the respective monitoring device will trip. The inverter will switch off the entire PV plant in combination with the central switch-disconnector. A message is issued via the Sunny WebBox. Feed-in will not continue until the ground fault is fixed by a service technician.

Fusing
Sunny String-Monitors are connected to the PV inverter via LV/HRC input fuses. The LV/HRC input fuses protect the DC main cables against overcurrent.

Additional Information
For additional information, refer to the Sunny String-Monitor SSM technical information.

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