Open Access

In this paper, a new method is demonstrated for onlin e remote simulation of photovo ltaic systems. The required communication technology for the data exchange is introduced a nd the methods of PV generato r parameter extraction for the simulation models are analysed. The method shown for parameter extraction from the ma nufacturer data is especially useful for the commissioning procedure, where the measured installed pow er is transferred to standard test conditions using the simulation model and can then be easily compared with the de sign power. At a simulation accuracy of 2% using the software environment INSEL ® any problems with the PV gene rator can reliably be detected. Online simulation of a grid connected PV generator is then carried out during the operation of the photovoltaic plant. The visualisation includes both the monitored and the simulated online data sets, so that a very efficient fault detection scheme i s available. The method is implemented and validated on several grid connected photovolta ic power plants in Germany. It is excellently suited to provide automatic and real time fault detection and significantly impr ove the commissioning procedure for photovoltaic plants of all sizes.