Solar Energy Project

Enabling Resilient Solar Infrastructure

Westhomes Electric engineers specialized distribution and protection systems designed explicitly for distributed photovoltaic (PV) networks. As global solar capacity rapidly scales, grid operators face mounting technical hurdles, ranging from inverter voltage superposition to reverse power flow, commonly known as backfeeding, at the transformer level.

These specific challenges are addressed by delivering integrated protection hardware and intelligent communication architectures. The primary objective is to provide EPC contractors and utility managers with reliable, compliant, and highly controllable connection points. This systematic approach maximizes PV output while strictly maintaining the safety and stability of the 400V public grid.

Addressing Core Grid Connection Challenges

Preventing PV Backfeeding

Precise monitoring is deployed at the grid connection point to prevent distributed PV capacity from exceeding local transformer limits. This mechanism effectively halts reverse overloading during peak generation periods.

Stabilizing Power Quality

Inverter voltage outputs are actively managed by the system. This mitigates the risks associated with voltage superposition, ensuring that the overall distribution voltage remains within strict safety parameters.

Mitigating Equipment Failure Risks

Inferior PV modules and direct low-voltage connections frequently cause anti-islanding malfunctions. Dedicated PV circuit breakers are installed to guarantee absolute isolation, protecting both the electrical grid and on-site personnel.

Full System Observability

Conventional, isolated PV installations are upgraded into fully integrated nodes. This transformation delivers comprehensive “observable, measurable, controllable, and adjustable” capabilities directly to grid operators.

The Multifunction Photovoltaic System

A robust, dual-layer communication topology designed to achieve rigid and flexible control over PV inverters and comprehensive power quality management.

Data Aggregation (Uplink): Operational data is collected from Intelligent Electricity Meters via high-speed HPLC (High-Speed Power Line Communication) to the local Concentrator. This data is subsequently transmitted securely to the Main System using 4G/5G networks.
Hardware Control (Downlink): A dedicated Protocol Converter is installed at the grid connection point to act as the crucial translation bridge. It utilizes RS-485 serial communication to transmit precise, real-time control commands directly to the Photovoltaic Circuit Breakers and Inverters.
Active Load Management: This bidirectional data architecture enables grid managers to actively monitor residential loads against PV generation. Faults are instantly isolated, and inverter outputs are adjusted dynamically to prevent backfeeding.

Current Status of Distributed Photovoltaic

PV Backfeeding Issues

Distributed photovoltaic capacity exceeds transformer capacity, leading to reverse overloading of power plants during peak power generation periods in some areas, increasing pressure on the safe and stable operation of the power grid.

Power Quality Affected

Due to the technical challenge of inverter grid connection voltage superposition, to maximize power generation, the output voltage of customer-side inverters is generally higher, thus raising the voltage in the distribution area.

Emerging Safety Hazards

Low-voltage distributed photovoltaic systems typically use low-voltage cables to directly connect to the nearest 400V public line. The quality of photovoltaic modules installed on the customer side varies greatly. Over time, inferior modules may cause a significant decrease in power generation capacity, as well as problems such as protection equipment failure, anti-islanding device malfunction, and customer misoperation in power supply.

This not only results in a situation of “large scale but insufficient output,” posing hidden dangers to the operation of the low-voltage power grid, but may also endanger the personal safety of on-site personnel.

Distributed Photovoltaic Construction

A photovoltaic circuit breaker and protocol converter device is installed at the grid connection point, integrating the “observable, measurable, controllable, and adjustable” capabilities of photostatic.

Uplink communication is achieved with the concentrator via HPLC, and downlink communication is achieved with the four-way photovoltaic circuit breaker and photovoltaic inverter via RS-485. This enables rigid and flexible control of the photovoltaic inverter, achieving power quality management.

Built with Westhomes Core Hardware

The complete range of protective and communication hardware required to construct this resilient photovoltaic architecture is manufactured and supplied in-house.

Photovoltaic MCB & MCCB Dedicated direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuit breakers engineered for secure, instantaneous fault isolation in demanding solar applications.
Intelligent Electricity Meters High-precision metering devices deployed for the accurate, real-time monitoring of both solar power generation and residential power consumption.
Protocol Converters & Concentrators Industrial-grade data logging and transmission units developed to ensure highly stable communication within harsh electrical environments.