Solar industry - Crises? What crises?

The Handelsblatt writes on 28 April 2020
"For a Dresden-based module manufacturer, the first quarter of 2020 was actually the best in the company's history. From January to March, the photovoltaic (PV) group increased its sales by 60 percent compared to the previous year. Incoming orders even increased by more than 140 percent. [...] No matter who you ask in the solar industry, you hear the same thing everywhere. We expected a decline in demand because of the Corona measures, but the opposite is true."

There are many reasons for this. Fear of the impending end of subsidies should also fuel the current boom.

Our extensive product range in the area of electrical safety offers solutions for the safe and efficient operation of photovoltaic systems.

Below are some product examples that are particularly suitable in connection with PV and their application:

______________________________________

Insulation monitoring of photovoltaic systems
Insulation monitors LK 5895 / LK 5896

With the insulation monitors LK 5895 and LK 5896 of the VARIMETER IMD family, DOLD offers a convincing solution for insulation monitoring of non-earthed AC, AC/DC and DC power supplies (IT systems). The devices increase the availability of systems and are used for preventive maintenance and repairs.

The insulation monitor LK 5896 is perfectly designed for monitoring of photovoltaic systems thanks to its two measurement circuits, the main and the auxiliary measurement circuit. While the DC component is monitored and checked for insulation fault by the main measurement circuit before the inverter, the auxiliary measurement circuit evaluates the insulation resistance against the ground on the AC side. And these all take place before the photo-voltaic system is switched on. In order to prevent two measurement circuits from influencing each other, the auxiliary measurement circuit will be deactivated via the control terminal when the system is switched on. 

______________________________________

Reliable operation of PV inverters
Residual current monitor LP 5885

The residual current monitor LP 5885 of the VARIMETER RCM family ensures reliable operation of photovoltaic inverters without galvanic isolation. The residual current measurement of DC and AC components is carried out via an integrated measuring current transformer. 

The residual current monitor LP 5885 detects residual currents in the range of 0 to 200 mA in a universal current sensitive manner. It is designed to be single-fault safe. The measured residual current is evaluated in two channels. Various integrated protective circuits monitor the function of the residual current monitor. A detected error is indicated at the outputs X3 or X4. The measured residual current is made available proportionally at the outputs X5 and X6 as DC voltage. For AC 200mA, 50Hz these are DC 5V. Leakage currents (capacitive) and residual currents (ohmic) add up geometrically.

______________________________________

Insulation monitoring of battery storages
Insulation monitor RN 5897/010

Photovoltaic systems offer many advantages - especially in combination with a battery storage. PV systems without energy storage produce solar electricity that must be used immediately. This is rarely effective, as the electricity is mainly generated during the day. However, during this time the electricity demand is usually low. The demand increases significantly in the evening hours. With a storage, the solar electricity not needed during the day can be used when it is really needed. 

Like any electrical system, the safety of battery storage systems is subject to certain rules and standards. One of these is the VDE application rule VDE-AR-E 2510-2, which describes the safety requirements of stationary electrical energy storage systems. These include, among other things, operation and the requirements for electrical installation. With the insulation monitor RN 5897/010, DOLD offers a solution for monitoring battery storage systems that conforms to the relevant standards. The RN 5897/010 is suitable for grid leakage capacities up to 1000 μF. Two separately adjustable response thresholds enable early fault indication.

______________________________________

Further helpful information:

- Product overview VARIMETER
- Flyer Insulation monitor LK 5895 / LK 5896
- Flyer Insulation monitor RN 5897/010