Digitalization as a driver for supporting PV deployment and cost reduction

Erika Saretta,Willy Maeder,Van Khai Nguyen,Pierluigi Bonomo,Francesco Frontini,Robert Kenny,João M Serra

doi:10.1051/epjpv/2021013

Abstract

Digitalization is providing advantages to all sectors around the world and it can be of relevance also for the photovoltaic (PV) sector. As an example, the current value chain of the European PV sector is often characterized by analogue and fragmented processes that should be overcame to support greater PV deployment. The adoption of a more open and collaborative digital-based approach characterized by data-sharing among different stakeholders and more integrated information thread from the design till O&M can provide direct benefits in optimizing the PV process, increasing performances, and reducing of costs. Therefore, a novel PV Information Management (PIM) approach has been drawn within the European H2020 project “SuperPV”. In accordance with PIM objectives, a workflow for seamlessly transferring data along main PV work-stages has been developed, as well as new digital features to specifically address collaborative approach in the PV sector such as: (i) advanced functionalities introduced in the existing BIMSolar® software for improving the simultaneous design, performance simulation and cost assessment of medium and large PV systems, (ii) a proof-of-concept for aggregating all relevant information into a Digital Twin platform aimed at setting the ground for post-construction management and lifecycle assessment of the whole PV system.

Highlights

The process of moving from analogue to digital technologies is affecting almost all industries around the world [1]
In order to achieve this twofold goal, two main calculation tools have been addressed in the SuperPV platform: the Capital Expenses (CAPEX) calculation tool and the Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE) calculation tool
4.1 Preliminary validation on a real case study that “remain linked throughout the life of the physical product” [16] thanks to specific communication devices and/or IoT sensors. The aggregation of these Digital Twin Instance (DTI) creates what is called a Digital Twin Aggregate (DTA) that during the operation of the PV plant allows the real-time monitoring and the possibility to record the whole lifecycle of PV modules

Summary

Introduction

The process of moving from analogue to digital technologies is affecting almost all industries around the world [1]. SolarPower Europe recognized digitalization as one of the key priorities for the PV sector. Digitalization is considered as a successful strategy for reducing PV asset management and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs. Digitalization is adopted in the design stage of PV systems as reported in the full comprehensive review of [4], as well as to design the most cost-efficient BIPV solutions [5,6]. Even though most solar stakeholders are fully aware of the potential benefits of digitalization, the full digitalization of the PV sector is not already achieved. “only 13% of solar experts claimed that lack of a digital mind-set was an obstacle to digitalization” [1], on

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion