Adding a meter, sensor, or Inverter to your system can provide multiple data views and offer a deeper understanding of system behavior. These optional products are usually very easy to connect and can provide great insight into the system's production and maintenance.
Why add an AC Meter to the Tigo Cloud?
The external AC Meter (or the communication card inside the inverter) will generate a reading of the PV system's full yield of AC Power. In contrast, the Tigo Portal only displays the total DC Input Power generated from the PV Modules themselves.
There can be a great difference between the DC and AC yield, as there is a percentage of power loss caused by the conversion process and inverter efficiency. This power loss is also the inverter's heat production.
Monitoring the losses occurring in the conversion from DC to AC assures the user that the whole system (including the inverters) is working fine.
Why add a Weather Sensor to the Tigo Cloud?
Weather sensors can deliver additional information about the current status of the PV array. Different types of sensors measure the different environmental conditions that can influence PV production:
- Global Solar Irradiance
- Plane of Array Irradiance
- Back-of-PV Panel Temp
- Ambient Air Temperature
- Wind Speed
- Wind Direction
- Relative Humidity
- Barometric Pressure
- Precipitation
While the system's power production is very much influenced by ambient temperature.
For instance, at a cell temperature of 42˚C (107˚F), the peak output of a solar panel drops about 1.1% for every increase in degrees Celsius (0.61%/1˚F).
Solar modules operate at about 20˚C (36˚F) higher than the ambient air temperature. In the summer, cell temperatures can often be higher than 42˚C (107˚F), greatly affecting the module's Pmax performance.
Other environmental conditions, such as wind speed and direction, humidity, or precipitation, can also indirectly influence the power production of a solar system. These events can deposit airborne dust onto the PV modules, which can reduce power production by 10%.
If used correctly, weather sensors can ensure a guaranteed maximum possible production over the whole lifespan of a PV array. Especially in older systems, where component degradation can show anomalies in certain environmental conditions. For example: High humidity often leads to contact erosion and can cause power reduction in components, as long as the electrical connections are wet.
Can I display meter information on my Tigo Portal?
Yes, meter information can be displayed on the Tigo Portal! Most meters, inverters, and sensors on the market can be connected to Tigo's CCA via Modbus Interface (RS-485 cable).
For more information on this process, see:
How-To: Setup and Monitor Modbus Connected Devices (Inverters, Meters & Sensors)
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