Solar energy is one of the world’s most promising renewable energy sources, and photovoltaic energy is an increasingly popular technology for generating green power.

With the increase in demand for solar energy, it is not only panels, inverters, and collection systems that are becoming increasingly important: technologies for monitoring photovoltaic systems are becoming more and more important. They are essential to keep the performance of the systems under control, intervening in the event of drops. But what is it all about? We talk more about it in this article.

What are photovoltaic plant monitoring systems?

Photovoltaic monitoring system technologies are tools for collecting data and information on the operation of a photovoltaic system. These technologies are helpful in monitoring the efficiency of the energy collection system and ensure its proper functioning to maximise power production and minimise maintenance costs.

Technologies for monitoring photovoltaic systems can be controlled by different professionals or even by the consumers themselves, depending on the context and the system’s specific needs. In general, the company that installs the photovoltaic system can also provide monitoring and maintenance services, using its own skills and technologies, as in the case of Viridis Energia.

Alternatively, the photovoltaic system monitoring can be entrusted to specialised maintenance companies, which use their own instruments and technologies or install them on older panels. Modern systems, those less than ten years old, may already have monitoring systems inside the inverter.

Some of these, in fact, are equipped with displays that monitor the performance of the entire system. With the integration of photovoltaic plant monitoring systems, what we call self-consumption has been promoted.

As a result, photovoltaic system owners have begun to develop an awareness of their system and its performance and the amount of electricity used. This enables them to adopt virtuous behaviour that can really make a difference to our planet.

What do photovoltaic plant monitoring systems look like?

Technologies for monitoring photovoltaic systems can be of different types and can use different tools, depending on the specific needs of the system and the preferences of the owner or installer.

Some panels are equipped with sensors, devices that measure energy production, temperature, voltage and other important photovoltaic system parameters. They can be installed directly on the plant and connected to a control system. Alternatively, remote monitoring systems allow the photovoltaic system to be controlled via an application or web portal. These systems can provide detailed information on the system’s functioning and allow timely intervention in case of problems.

Finally, there are diagnostic systems, which use the data collected from the photovoltaic system to identify any problems or malfunctions. They can use data analysis techniques, artificial intelligence or other technologies to analyse the information collected and identify any problems.

In general, these are tools that must be provided by experienced technicians on systems of a certain age and used independently by new consumers. In fact, modern installations have Wifi-connected monitoring systems that continuously send data to the owner’s app, indicating all the data useful to understand the performance trend of the panels.

If a photovoltaic system is already equipped with outdated and obsolete monitoring systems, these can be replaced with more modern solutions.

Why monitor photovoltaic systems?

As already mentioned, monitoring systems enable the detection of malfunctions or problems that could reduce the efficiency of the photovoltaic system. Thanks to this, operators can take timely action to solve problems, reduce downtime and maximise solar energy production.

Moreover, in Italy, legislation obliges owners of photovoltaic systems to subject the systems to periodic checks to ensure their efficiency and safety. In particular, the reference legislation is Legislative Decree 28/2011, which introduced the so-called ‘Conto Energia’, a system of incentives for energy production from renewable sources, including photovoltaic solar energy.

Legislative Decree 28/2011 stipulates that photovoltaic systems benefiting from the Conto Energia must undergo periodic inspections by accredited bodies every three years for systems up to 20 kW and every two years for systems with a higher output.

Continuous plant monitoring makes this procedure much easier and reduces maintenance costs.

Performance monitoring allows you to guarantee the quality of the energy produced by the photovoltaic system. In fact, you can verify that the system is producing the expected energy and that the quality of the energy produced complies with safety and quality standards. This also saves electricity, correcting any problems and getting the system to offer the best performance.

Switch to photovoltaics: thanks to Viridis Energia, you will get your own modern, state-of-the-art solar energy collection system, equipped with all the technologies that allow you to maximise energy production and save on both bills and maintenance costs.

Put your trust in an experienced company in the free energy market sector and request today your solar panels for your home or the installation of a photovoltaic system on agricultural land. Discover all the advantages we offer: contact us today!