Solar panels depend on an array of electrical devices to make them complete systems. These include inclinometers for monitoring the tilt to moveable panels, converters and inverters for managing the electrical output, batteries for storage, and more.
The latter category includes many small but useful items such as line filters. For example, one standard DC filter series is for use on the DC side of an inverter in photovoltaic systems and other DC systems. Maximum power point trackers generate disturbances in the grid’s AC power line as well as the DC side of the solar module. An ac filter is typically used on the grid’s AC power line, but the noise generated on the DC side tends to be overlooked. EMC standards EN 61000-6-3 and EN55014-1 also place strict limits on the noise generated downstream from the grid, such as the line to the solar panels. Using the filters on the DC side of the inverter ensures EMC compliance and overall reliability of the entire PV system.
Large solar inverters generally require a cooling system. Components, such as the filter, provide high temperature resistance to simplify the system and reduce the cooling requirements. The filters are rated to over 1400A at 55°C ambient, and to 1200 Vdc.
Inclinometers tell controllers the tilt on an array of panels or the solar concentrating device — a parabolic trough. One version has a dual-axis sensor with a CANopen interface. This makes the sensor useful on mobile equipment and off-road vehicles. A MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) device at the heart of the inclinometer uses a micro-electromechanical capacitive element. The sensor uses two parallel-plate electrodes, one stationary and one attached to a springmass system. Movement causes acceleration that produces deflection in the non-stationary electrode. This results in a measurable change in capacitance between the two plates that is proportional to the angle of deflection. All measured values and parameters are accessible by the object directory.
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