Applications of PV systems in the global communication system

Most operating activities such as monitoring and control of systems can be done locally by the PV system operator or service department without the need for data communication via public Internet infrastructure. These operating activities include data communication between system operators, the service department and PV inverters, data loggers or additional equipment. They can be made via local displays, keypads or local access to the webserver of a device in the local network (LAN) of the PV system or the house.

In some use cases of PV systems, the PV system is also part of the global communication system, which is based on Internet infrastructures. The data communication via Internet is an up-to-date, economically viable and customer-friendly approach in order to enable easy access for the following modern applications such as:

• Cloud platforms (e.g. Sunny Portal)

• Smartphones or other mobile terminals (iOS or Android apps)

• SCADA systems, which are remotely connected

• Utility interfaces for grid management services

Alternatively, selected and secured communication interfaces may be used. These solutions are no longer state of the art and are very expensive to use. This applies, for example, to dedicated communication interfaces or separate wide area networks (WAN).