Solar panels generate power directly from the sun. They
convert the sunlight that they draw directly into electricity; this form of
power is friendly to the environment, as there are no harmful gases or
chemicals that are used in producing this power. This is therefore better for
the environment.
The solar panels are made up of a collection of
individual silicon. A single solar cell can produce about 0,5volt. Solar cells
are grouped together to create a panel, which can produce up to 24 volts
output. Solar panels can also be wired in parallel, this will increase the power
output creating more power, and if wired in series, this will increase voltage
for 24, 48 or possibly even higher voltage systems.
The three types of solar panels are mono-crystalline,
polycrystalline and amorphous. At present, PSS Distributors is concentrating on
two types, mono-crystalline and polycrystalline. We already discussed in my
earlier post.
The differences between the panels are as follows:
Monocrystalline – All crystals face the
same direction. This form of solar panel is the most effective, but the cost
factor is a lot more expensive. Slices are cut at sizes of 0,2 and 0,4 mm
thick. These are then put together as individual cells, wired together in the
panel. Manufacturing temperature is around 1400 degrees Celsius.
Polycrystalline – Crystal faces have different directions,
grains are not parallel and can also be called multi-crystalline. These panels
are less expensive, but can also be less efficient. The cells are not single
crystals but a block of many crystals. Manufacturing temperature is a bit lower
than Monocrystalline at about 800-1000 degrees Celsius.
Amorphous – This is the angle of the
adjustable solar panel, which can be changed two or more times during the year.
This helps increase the solar output by approximately 25%.
When you have decided on the location of the solar
panels, ensure you have a good amount of sunlight between the times of 9 am – 4
pm. It is not advised that solar panels be placed in the shade, but remember
that heat build up can cause the panel to be less efficient. There should
always be spacing around the panels, this will ensure that there is sufficient
cooling and ensure that the panels do not build up to much heat.
Solar panels should always face the equator for effective
coverage. So if living in the southern hemisphere, the solar panels would face
in a northern direction. The angle of the panel should only be changed twice
per year. In winter +15° latitude and in summer -15° latitude. This will
increase the solar panels output by a further 25%.
Tracking solar panels are the most effective type as they
follow the sun, but the cost of these units are expensive and during winter,
may not be as effective. Solar panels are a more cost effective way of ensuring
constant power as well as ensuring that the environment remains emission free
and allows the environment to remain green.
Having now completed the construction of a 9, 4-megawatt
solar farm in the province
of Turin, the company
turned to address the problem of guaranteeing the highest possible levels of
protection.
“The client asked us to design a solution in which the
network infrastructure was both sturdy and scalable so that it could be used
simultaneously by the security system, the video-surveillance system and the
other equipment used to monitor the production of electricity. Moreover, in
compliance with the applicable laws in force, the video-surveillance system had
to ensure low luminous impact at night and, therefore, had to be able to
operate satisfactorily without any lights on, except in exceptional
circumstances,” explains Claudio Toaldo, owner of Sicurtel, the company that built the plant.
The plant took about two months to complete, including
meetings with the client and the realisation of the design plan.
Given the distance of the perimeter (about 4000 metres)
and the possible electromagnetic interference caused by 12 inverters installed
on the field, Sicurtel decided to construct a closed ring fibre-optic Ethernet
infrastructure using O-ring technology with 12 field switches and an extended temperature
range of -40°C/+75°C.
The network hosts 28 ERMO 482 X PRO Cias microwave
barriers and 11 Ulisse Compact IP 36 + Videotec 110 mt IR cameras.
The Cias barriers are connected on the field via 15
485/Ethernet IB-FMCREP-ETH converters and are controlled by means of an
IB-SYSTEM IP server.
The Videotec
cameras used for the surveillance system guarantee lowest environmental impact
during nighttime monitoring and are also fitted with a powerful optical zoom
for close-up inspection when necessary.
Sicurtel considered the Milestone XProtect system to be the only fully integrated platform
that could manage all the field equipment on an IP platform, hence satisfying
its client’s requirements.
“We decided to use the Milestone XProtect Corporate video
management and recording system,” continues Toaldo, “because it allows you to
record video images and transmit them to the security company’s control room.
This enables the control room to handle emergencies and, at the same time,
collect information on any alarms detected by the system and recorded by one of
at least three pre-set cameras, which the Milestone video management software
(VMS) immediately focuses on the security barrier section that triggered the
alarm. This is extremely helpful to the work of the security companies, as they
are able to quickly and effectively verify all intrusion attempts”.
The system provides the end user with real time data on
the production of electricity. The XProtect Smart Client can be used from the
company’s headquarters. Furthermore, XProtect Mobile is a useful and powerful
tool for maintenance operators. It is used to remotely plan and verify all
interventions, whenever and wherever they are.
The Milestone VMS supports a number of I/O IP modules to
allow the operator, the end user and the security company to use XProtect Smart
Client to turn on the lights installed along the perimeter when an alarm is
triggered at night, to monitor anomalies detected inside electrical substations
or special situations such as a lack of power supply.
“The possibility to integrate the anti-intrusion security
system, the video-surveillance system and the electricity production monitoring
equipment within the same network infrastructure means that the end user has
full control over all the systems installed at the solar farm and, at the same
time, can realize important economies of scale, while paving the way for all
future upgrades to the systems,” highlights Toaldo.
