End User:

Retail Outlet in Karachi (Levi’s Factory Outlet)

Project Scope

Design, procurement, supply, installation, and commissioning of two Solar Data Monitoring Stations, including weather monitoring stations, inverters, and IV Tracers. Additionally, the project entailed developing a cloud-based data analytics platform for data presentation and analysis.

Background

Levi’s Factory Outlet required a comprehensive system to monitor the performance of five major PV technologies under two distinct environmental conditions in Karachi, Pakistan. One monitoring station was established near Hyderabad, an area with a more humid climate, while the other was set up in Karachi, which experiences a dry climate. The goal was to gather data from these stations and transfer it to a cloud system for observation and further analysis.

System Description: Data Monitoring Station

Technologies Utilized:

• Monocrystalline
• Polycrystalline
• Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin Layer (HIT)
• Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)
• Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS)

The output from the evaluation sites was managed by individual grid-connected inverters, which then transferred the data to the grid using an inverter combiner box. This box also measured surface temperature. The inverter data and surface temperature were sent to the Data Acquisition System (DAS).

Data Transfer and Analysis:

Data from the five modules (one for each technology) located at both stations were collected and analyzed using five IV tracers connected to an IV Gateway through wireless communication.

Sensors Utilized:

• Ambient Temperature and Humidity Sensors
• Wind Speed and Wind Direction Sensors
• Pyranometers to measure Global Horizontal Irradiance
• Plane of Array Irradiance and Site Albedo Sensors
• UV Irradiance Sensor
• Barometric Pressure Sensor
• Pyrgeometer to calculate Sky Temperature
• Module Temperature Sensors

Data from these sensors were collected by a data gateway through an analog input module and processor. A modular industrial gateway established a connection between the DAS system at the site and the cloud service.

Cloud-Based Data Analytics Platform:

A detailed performance study and analysis of each PV technology could be conducted in both humid and dry conditions. The cloud-based platform provided the following features:

• Real-Time Data Visualization: Visual representation of real-time data and trends.
• High-Performance Architecture: Time-synchronized data collection resulting in high performance and scalability.
• Data Security: Encryption ensures data security, and data archives are available for easy retrieval of past data.
• Comprehensive Analytics: Detailed analysis of each PV technology’s performance under different environmental conditions.
• Accessibility: The platform can be accessed via smartphone, tablet, or laptop, enabling remote monitoring and control.

Benefits and Results:

The implementation of the Solar Data Monitoring Stations provided Levi’s Factory Outlet with a robust system for monitoring and analyzing the performance of different PV technologies. The cloud-based platform ensured secure data storage and accessibility, enabling Levi’s to make informed decisions based on real-time and historical data. The system’s scalable architecture and comprehensive analytics tools contributed to optimizing the performance and reliability of their solar power installations, ultimately supporting their sustainability goals.

This structured and detailed approach ensured that Levi’s Factory Outlet could efficiently monitor and manage their solar energy systems, enhancing operational efficiency and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.