THERMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF DEVICE MONSOL 1000/1500

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1 THERMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF DEVICE MONSOL 1000/1500 Technical report for: Zero Point Energy.SL - Monsol C/ Bodegueros 21, portal 3 1ºA Málaga Spain Carried out by: Francisco José Soto Lara Industrial Engineer Member no of the Official Association of Technical Experts and Industrial Engineers in Málaga Level 1 Thermography Expert certified by Infrared Training Center and AECTIR (Spanish Agency Certified in Infrared Thermography) C/ Mediterráneo no 26, dúplex 26. CP 29130, Alhaurín de la Torre (Málaga) Tel franciscosoto@intermal.es Location of the object of study: Municipal boundary of Córdoba, latitude: 37º N; longitude: 4º W. Date of issue: 30/6/16 Pictures taken on: 19-22/6/16 1

2 Table of contents: 1. Objective Introduction Positive pole study Average production with an additional copper busbar plate of 20x4 mm installed on top of the circuit busbar Average production connecting the output cables directly to the circuit busbar Average production and development of ambient temperature with output cables connected directly to the circuit Maximum production with an additional copper plate busbar of 20x4 mm Maximum production with output cables connected directly to the circuit busbar Negative pole study Average production with an additional copper plate busbar of 20x4 mm Average production connecting the output cables directly to the device busbar Average production and the development of ambient temperature connecting the output cables directly to the device busbar Maximum production with an additional copper plate busbar of 20x4 mm Maximum production with output cables connected directly to the circuit busbar Temperature of fuse holder terminals Negative pole Positive pole Conclusions

1. Objective The objective of this report is to evaluate temperature behaviour of the string monitoring device Monsol 1000/1500 installed in a real photovoltaic power plant. 2.

3 1. Objective The objective of this report is to evaluate temperature behaviour of the string monitoring device Monsol 1000/1500 installed in a real photovoltaic power plant. 2. Introduction Testing was carried out in a 2.3 MWs photovoltaic installation situated in Córdoba, Spain, in the month of June Various Monsol 1000/1500 (master and slave) devices were tested, all of them having been in operation for 90 days. The study was carried out throughout several days during which the devices were evaluated under different production and temperature conditions. From these days, the following thermographic pictures were selected out of more than 100 pictures taken under different operating conditions, such as: maximum and minimum production and ambient temperatures. The study also focused on possible differences between: Differences in the current values and temperatures between the channels on the positive and the negative poles. Both measurements were taken at the same instant. Temperature difference between the two possible ways of electrical installation: installing an additional copper plate busbar on top of Monsol 1000/1500 or connecting cables directly to the busbar plate of the measuring device. Temperature difference between individual and double (parallel) strings terminals on both, the positive and negative poles. Figure 1. General view The Combiner Box (string monitoring box) under survey combines the current from 14 strings of 270W photovoltaic panels, 6 of which were grouped in pairs, in parallel, and connected to the device through a single input, and the other 8 were monitored individually. Measurements were taken on both, positive and negative poles. As previously mentioned, this report includes a thermographic inspection of the device Monsol 1000/1500 installed on both, the positive (devices situated on the left hand side of the string box) 3

4 and the negative poles (device situated on the right). Two devices (master and slave) were installed on both poles to compare their temperature behaviour and measurement values. Both above mentioned ways of installation were analyzed, monitoring the same strings. Figure 1 represents the complete device Monsol 1000/1500 (consisting of two connected devices: master and a slave) which monitors the positive poles of the strings. From left to right, there are 3 double string inputs in the first 3 channels and 8 individual strings reaching up to the third input of the slave. Similarly, on the right hand side of the picture (see Figure 1), another device Monsol1000/1500 is installed. This device monitors the strings on their negative pole. From left to right, there are 8 individual strings connected to the inputs of the master and 3 double strings connected to the first 3 inputs of the slave. This configuration maintains the same electric distribution of the strings to be monitored and compared between each other. The following section presents the data obtained in the study. First, we will present the data obtained from the positive poles under different operating conditions. Further, there are data obtained by monitoring the negative poles under the same conditions. As previously mentioned, the comparison of both results will be made at the very moment of sampling. Test carried out with this configuration will become the basis for one of the conclusions that will be made, that is, there is no relevant increase in temperature or distortion in measurement values when device Monsol1000/1500 is in operation on either, the positive or the negative poles. During the first days, the device Monsol1000/1500 was installed and monitored with an additional external copper busbar of 20x4 mm. In the following days, the additional copper busbar was removed and the actual busbar of the device was used as the output point. In this configuration, an output cable was connected directly to the board which is designed for this purpose. Finally, we present a thermographic comparison of the connections between the strings photovoltaic cables and the fuse holders as well as the connections between the fuse holders and the input terminals of Monsol1000/

5 3. Positive pole study 3.1 Average production with an additional copper busbar plate of 20x4 mm installed on top of the circuit busbar An image selected to observe the behaviour of the device with an average production at an ambient temperature close to 30 C C Ar Time of capture 11:38:22 Ambient temperature 31.0 C Relative humidity 22.0 % Current double strings 12A Current individual strings 6A Ar1 Max. temperature 32.2 C Max. temperature 34.7 C Max. temperature 36.7 C Temperature 30.5 C Temperature 37.8 C This image shows that the temperature of the conduction channel - point AR2 - with a current of 12 A and an ambient temperature of 31 C is, on average, 34 C. 5

3.2 Average production connecting the output cables directly to the circuit busbar An instant selected to observe the behaviour of the device with an average production and at an ambient temperature

6 3.2 Average production connecting the output cables directly to the circuit busbar An instant selected to observe the behaviour of the device with an average production and at an ambient temperature close to 30 C when the PV cables are connected directly to the device busbar. Ar C Ar7 38 Ar4 Ar Ar Time of capture 11:19:08 Ambient temperature 33.0 C Relative humidity 22.0 % Current double strings 10.3A Current individual strings 5.1A Ar1 Max. temperature 36.5 C Max. temperature 39.5 C Max. temperature 43.4 C Max. temperature 33.5 C Max. temperature 43.3 C Ar4 Max. temperature 38.1 C Ar5 Max. temperature 39.3 C Ar6 Max. temperature 38.4 C Ar7 Max. temperature 38.9 C The most relevant point in this image is AR6 - the point with most current. Around 70 A pass through this point at this instant, reaching a maximum temperature of 38 C, which is a 4 C increase with respect to the ambient temperature. Point represents the heat accumulated from the circuit s components together with the circulation of current from 2 strings in parallel, increasing the maximum temperature of the device by 10 C with respect to the ambient temperature. 6

3.3 Average production and development of ambient temperature with output cables connected directly to the circuit The selected image follows the development of the temperature with a cables

7 3.3 Average production and development of ambient temperature with output cables connected directly to the circuit The selected image follows the development of the temperature with a cables connected directly to the circuit while the ambient temperature is increasing. Ar C Ar7 44 Ar4 Ar6 Ar Time of capture 12:30:10 Ambient temperature 36.0 C Relative humidity 22.0 % Current double strings 13.5A Current individual strings 6.8A Ar1 Max. temperature.5 C Max. temperature 46.2 C Max. temperature 48.4 C Max. temperature 38.0 C Max. temperature 48.8 C Ar4 Max. temperature 44.5 C Ar5 Max. temperature 46.1 C Ar6 Max. temperature 45.7 C Ar7 Max. temperature 46.0 C The most relevant point in this image is, again, AR6 - the point of maximum current circulation of approx. 93A in this instant, reaching a maximum temperature of 45 C, which is an increase of 9 C with respect to the ambient temperature. Point shows the heat accumulated from the circuit s components together with the circulation of current from 2 strings in parallel, increasing the maximum temperature of the device by 12 C with respect to the ambient temperature. 7

3.4 Maximum production with an additional copper plate busbar of 20x4 mm This image was selected to observe the behaviour of the device with a maximum production and at the most unfavourable ambient

8 3.4 Maximum production with an additional copper plate busbar of 20x4 mm This image was selected to observe the behaviour of the device with a maximum production and at the most unfavourable ambient temperature: 40 C C Ar Time of capture 14:00:10 Ambient temperature 40.0 C Relative humidity 27.0 % Current double strings 16A Current individual strings 8A Ar1 Max. temperature 44.8 C Max. temperature 48.7 C Max. temperature 48.9 C Max. temperature 41.9 C Max. temperature 52.1 C The most relevant point in this image is AR2 - the point of maximum current circulation, reaching approx. 16 A in this instant. The maximum temperature is 48 C, an 8 C increase with respect to the ambient temperature. 8

3.5 Maximum production with output cables connected directly to the circuit busbar Image selected to evaluate the moment of the maximum production and the maximum ambient temperature of 39 C. Ar1 51.

9 3.5 Maximum production with output cables connected directly to the circuit busbar Image selected to evaluate the moment of the maximum production and the maximum ambient temperature of 39 C. Ar C Ar7 Ar4 44 Ar6 Ar Time of capture 14:30:26 Ambient temperature 39.0 C Relative humidity 19.0 % Current double strings 16A Current individual strings 8A Ar1 Max. temperature 46.3 C Max. temperature 51.0 C Max. temperature 51.5 C Max. temperature 41.9 C Max. temperature 53.2 C Ar4 Max. temperature 48.4 C Ar5 Max. temperature 51.0 C Ar6 Max. temperature 50.7 C Ar7 Max. temperature 50.9 C In this image we can observe that the most relevant point is, again, AR6, as the point of the maximum current circulation, reaching approx. 109 A at this instant. The maximum temperature was 50 C, an increase of 11 C with respect to the ambient temperature. 9

close to 30 C. 36.7 C 36 35 34 33 32.2 Time of capture 11:41:08 Ambient temperature 31.0 C Relative humidity 24.0 % Current double strings 12,2A Current individual strings 6,2A Max.

10 4. Negative pole study 4.1 Average production with an additional copper plate busbar of 20x4 mm An instant selected to see the behaviour of the device with an average production and an ambient temperature close to 30 C C Time of capture 11:41:08 Ambient temperature 31.0 C Relative humidity 24.0 % Current double strings 12,2A Current individual strings 6,2A Max. temperature 35.2 C Max. temperature 40.5 C Max. temperature 33.4 C Max. temperature 39.6 C Ar C Time of capture 11:41:28 34 Ar1 Max. temperature 35.9 C 32.5 These images show that with a current of 12 A and at an ambient temperature of 31 C, the temperature of the conduction channel is, on average, 34.5 C, represented by point AR2. 10

4.2 Average production connecting the output cables directly to the device busbar Image selected to see the behaviour of the device with an average production and at an ambient temperature close to

11 4.2 Average production connecting the output cables directly to the device busbar Image selected to see the behaviour of the device with an average production and at an ambient temperature close to 30 C when the cables are connected directly to the circuit busbar. Time of capture 11:19:47 Ambient temperature 31.0 C Relative humidity 28.0 % Current double strings 10.3A Current individual strings 5.1A Ar1 Max. temperature 38.7 C Max. temperature 37.6 C Max. temperature.8 C Max. temperature 35.0 C Max. temperature 41.8 C Ar4 Max. temperature 37.3 C Ar5 Max. temperature 35.8 C Ar6 Max. temperature 35.7 C Ar7 Max. temperature 36.8 C 11

4.3 Average production and the development of ambient temperature connecting the output cables directly to the device busbar The below images follow the development of temperature when cables are

12 4.3 Average production and the development of ambient temperature connecting the output cables directly to the device busbar The below images follow the development of temperature when cables are connected directly to the busbar of the circuit while the ambient temperature is increasing. Bellow see two samples taken at two different times. Ar C Time of capture 11:21:22 Ambient temperature 36.0 C Relative humidity 21.0 % Current double strings 10.2A Current individual strings 5.1A Ar1 Max. temperature 38.7 C Max. temperature 36.8 C Max. temperature 37.2 C Max. temperature 34.6 C 12

48.6 C 48 46 Ar4 Ar5 Ar7 44 Ar6 40 38 37.4 Time of capture 12:31:08 Ambient temperature 36.0 C Relative humidity 21.0 % Current double strings 14.3A Current individual strings 7.2A Max.

13 48.6 C Ar4 Ar5 Ar7 44 Ar Time of capture 12:31:08 Ambient temperature 36.0 C Relative humidity 21.0 % Current double strings 14.3A Current individual strings 7.2A Max. temperature 43.0 C Max. temperature 46.5 C Max. temperature mínima 37.7 C Max. temperature 39.3 C Max. temperature 46.1 C Ar4 Max. temperature.0 C Ar5 Max. temperature 40.1 C Ar5 Max. temperature mínima 36.3 C Ar6 Max. temperature 40.0 C Ar7 Max. temperature 41.0 C In this case, the most relevant data are the following: In the first image, the most relevant point is zone AR2 as the point of maximum current circulation, approx. 70 A at this instant, reaching a maximum temperature of 36 C, that is, hardly any increase with respect to the ambient temperature. In image 2, the most relevant point is AR4 with a current value of 92 A and an average temperature of 41 C, that is, 5 C above the ambient temperature. 13

4.4 Maximum production with an additional copper plate busbar of 20x4 mm This image shows the connections of single and double strings under the pressure of the maximum production and the most

temperature 40.9 C 38 Max. temperature 45.0 C Max. temperature 44.7 C 37.1 Max. temperature 39.3 C In this image we can observe the connection of single strings with a current of 8 A.

14 4.4 Maximum production with an additional copper plate busbar of 20x4 mm This image shows the connections of single and double strings under the pressure of the maximum production and the most unfavourable temperature, 40 C C 46 Time of capture 14:01:49 Ambient temperature 35.0 C Relative humidity 20.0 % 44 Current double strings 16,5A Current individual strings 8.2A 40 Max. temperature 40.9 C 38 Max. temperature 45.0 C Max. temperature 44.7 C 37.1 Max. temperature 39.3 C In this image we can observe the connection of single strings with a current of 8 A. The average temperature in zone AR2 is 40 C, that is, 5 C above ambient temperature. Time 14:01:25 Ar1 Max. temperature 43.1 C Max. temperature 46.7 C In the second image we can observe point AR2 where the maximum current circulation coming from the double string connection reaches 16.5 A at this instant. The average temperature reaches 46 C, that is, 11 C above the ambient temperature. 14

4.5 Maximum production with output cables connected directly to the circuit busbar Image selected to evaluate the behaviour of the device with an increased production and at an increased ambient

6A Current individual strings 7.8A Ar4 Ar5 Ar7 46 44 Max. temperature 45.2 C Max. temperature 49.6 C Max. temperature 43.1 C 41.6 Max. temperature 49.7 C Ar4 Max. temperature 44.2 C Ar5 Max.

15 4.5 Maximum production with output cables connected directly to the circuit busbar Image selected to evaluate the behaviour of the device with an increased production and at an increased ambient temperature. We can observe both, single and double strings connections. Time of capture 14:32: C Ambient temperature 37.0 C 50 Relative humidity 19.0 % 48 Current double strings 15.6A Current individual strings 7.8A Ar4 Ar5 Ar Max. temperature 45.2 C Max. temperature 49.6 C Max. temperature 43.1 C 41.6 Max. temperature 49.7 C Ar4 Max. temperature 44.2 C Ar5 Max. temperature 43.9 C Ar7 Max. temperature 44.3 C In this image is focused on a single string connection with a current of 7.8 A. The average temperature in point AR4 is 43 C, i. e. 6 C above the ambient temperature. Time 14:33:25 Ar C *Circulating current AR2 100A 50 Ar1 Max. temperature 48.7 C Ar4 45 * Max. temperature 46.7 C Max. temperature 51.0 C Ar4 Max. temperature 46.7 C Max. temperature.9 C 41.6 The most relevant information in the above image is that point AR2, as the point of maximum current circulation reaching approx. 100 A at this instant, has reached a temperature of 47 C, that is, 10 C above the ambient temperature. 15

5. Temperature of fuse holder terminals These images have been selected to compare the temperatures of the connections between the fuse holder terminals and the terminals of Monsol 100/1500.

The most relevant information in these images is that there is only a slight temperature difference between the connections of the fuse holder terminals and the terminals of the device, reaching a

16 5. Temperature of fuse holder terminals These images have been selected to compare the temperatures of the connections between the fuse holder terminals and the terminals of Monsol 100/1500. Both, negative and positive poles were analyzed. The most relevant information in these images is that there is only a slight temperature difference between the connections of the fuse holder terminals and the terminals of the device, reaching a maximum of 1 C. 5.1 Negative pole Sp C 48 Time of capture 14:34:18 Ambient temperature 37.0 C Relative humidity 19.0 % 46 Current double strings 15.6A Current individual strings 7.8A 44 Max. temperature 45.4 C Sp4 Max. temperature 44.0 C Sp3 Max. temperature 44.6 C 40.0 Sp4 Max. temperature 44.4 C 5.2 Positive pole Sp C 43 Date 21/06/2016 Time of capture 14:34:33 Ambient temperature 37.0 C Relative humidity 19.0 % 41 Sp4 40 Max. temperature.3 C Max. temperature.2 C 39 Sp3 Max. temperature.1 C 38.4 Sp4 Max. temperature.6 C The temperatures of the fuse holder terminals and the terminals of Monsol 100/1500 are approx. the same in any studied case. 16

17 6. Conclusions The report confirms that there is no relevant increase in the temperature of the device when it is in operation on either, positive and negative poles. As we can observe in the images focused on the positive (IR_8941.jpg, page 8) and negative (IR_8275.jpg page 13) poles with a current circulation reaching 16 A per channel, the difference between the temperature of the device and the ambient temperature does not exceed 11 C on either of the poles. The study has also shown that there is no relevant temperature increase when output cables are connected directly to Monsol 1000/1500 busbar with the amount of current analyzed by this study. The image on page 14 confirms a maximum busbar temperature of 46 C, i. e. and increase of 9 C with respect to the ambient temperature with a current circulation of 100 A. At the same time, we can observe on page 8 that the busbar temperature with a current circulation of 110 A reaches 50 C, that is, 11 C above the ambient temperature. This study confirms that the current circulating from the panels doesn t increase the temperature of the device by more than 11 C with respect to the ambient temperature at any given time. Further on, the comparison made between the temperature increase of the fuse holder terminals and that of Monsol 1000/1500 terminals has shown that there is no relevant temperature increase at either, the single or double string terminals. This study concludes that the innovative technology applied in device Monsol 1000/1500 prevents from any relevant temperature differences commonly caused by the circulation of current within the specific range of a PV installation (i. e. 16 A per channel and 150 A per busbar). It can be clearly observed that the device maintains excellent results despite the circulation of high amounts of current. Report carried out by: INTERMAL (Inspecciones Termográficas Málaga) Francisco José Soto Lara Industrial Engineer (Member no. 3274) Level 1 Thermography Expert certified by Infrared Training Center Member of AECTIR (Spanish Agency Certified in Infrared Thermography) 17

the firm: Tel.: REMENT

the firm: Tel.: REMENT Evaluations performed by the firm: Alena Chmelová, Prokopa Holého 258/4, Opava, Czech Republic EU VAT no.: CZ7357281987 Tel.: (+420) 607 594 827, (+420) 602 769 785 Email: termotest@seznam.cz, http://