As an essentially free renewable energy source, solar energy offers undeniable advantages, and businesses already leverage it to redirect energy savings to other priorities. Solar energy generation is particularly suited to climates with abundant sun, such as coastal areas, the tropics, and the desert, where tree canopy is absent. PoE technology offers a cost-effective solution for powering a solar farm network in these and other suitable locations.

Case Study: Solar Farm

In this article, we’ll look at one particular solar farm in Brazil, which boasts 32 photovoltaic power generation plants. Let’s look at how the solar farm overcame challenges by implementing PoE as a crucial part of its infrastructure.

The Challenge

This particular solar farm needed a surveillance system with a reliable network infrastructure to monitor and secure every facility on the property. The network had to withstand harsh weather conditions, as solar farms are exposed to high temperatures and strong sunlight during most seasons.

The Solution

To support adequate surveillance of the solar farm, owners determined they would need fiber transmission. To provide power, they outfitted each location on the farm with an L-3 20-port Fiber and 8-port Gigabit Stackable Managed Switch, specifically the SGS-6341-16S8C4XR, at the main cross connection. High-performance 10Gbps fiber transmission and fiber cabling extended the reach of power and data transmission, while redundant AC/DC power supply provided continuous operation. The owners used an ERPS Ring featuring a recovery time of <10ms to improve network reliability.

Solar Farm ERPS Ring

At each intermediate cross-section, they installed an IGS-624HPT, a PoE-enabled Industrial 802.3at Fiber Ethernet Switch. Used to power IP cameras and access control, the IGS-624HPT offers 12 to 54V redundant power. Each switch was powered by a PWR-120-48 power supply unit, a convenient DC power-feeding solution for industrial environments. These DC single-output industrial DIN-rail power supply units accept universal 100-240V AC input voltage and provide 48V DC power output with various watt values.

The owners selected switches made by PLANET because their products are made to withstand harsh environmental conditions typical of external cabinets on a solar farm, such as extreme temperature, humidity, and oxidation.

The Result

With PoE industrial switches from Planet Technology:

  • Improved ability to receive real-time surveillance information.
  • Efficient powering of PoE devices without needing additional power supplies.
  • Reduction in device degradation as a result of extreme weather conditions.

Overall network reliability was improved at the Brazilian solar farm by installing cost-effective PoE solutions designed for harsh outdoor conditions. 

Industrial PoE Switch Benefits

Network Requirements for a Solar Farm

A robust and reliable network is crucial for operating a solar farm. Remote monitoring, control, and data logging require industrial-grade Ethernet switches, fiber optic cabling, and redundancy to handle many devices over long distances.

1. Network Topology and Infrastructure

Ethernet switches with features like Mean Time Before Failure (MTBF) and network redundancy features ensure reliable communication. Fiber optic cabling is ideal for long distances and provides immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), especially in areas with high-power inverters. Managed switches at each solar generator allow for easier monitoring, diagnostics, and maintenance.

Most solar farms utilize copper Ethernet, but copper is susceptible to EMI from inverters, and limited segment lengths (100m) necessitate careful planning and shielded cables.

2. Connectivity and Access

Efficient operation and maintenance of a solar farm requires accessing and managing network settings remotely. A reliable network is crucial for collecting performance monitoring and optimization data. Security measures such as network cameras and access control technologies protect the solar farm from unauthorized access and potential damage.

Solar farm owners should also consider implementing a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for centralized monitoring and control. 

3. Grid Interconnection

Securing a reliable grid connection typically involves tapping into a substation with sufficient capacity. A solar farm’s output voltage must correlate to the grid’s voltage, potentially requiring a “step up” transformer. By providing reactive power control and helping to maintain voltage levels, solar farms contribute to grid stability. 

4. Site Considerations

Solar farms should ideally be located near a substation or transmission line to minimize the cost of grid installation. Solar farm layouts should allow easy access to panels for maintenance, which often requires a significant amount of land. Shading of solar panels should be minimized by carefully planning the layout and allowing for adequate spacing between panels.

Consider local weather conditions. Extreme weather events can damage solar panel infrastructure. 

5. Other Key Considerations

Implement network redundancies to ensure continued operation of the solar panel network in the event of network failure. Ensure sufficient network bandwidth to handle the amount of data generated by the solar farm and schedule regular maintenance and upgrades for optimal performance. 

It is also crucial to adhere to relevant industry standards and regulations when installing new solar farms.

The IGS-624HPT Industrial Ethernet Switch

PoE technology meets all the requirements for implementing a solar farm network. The IGS-624HPT Industrial Ethernet Switch from Planet Tech is an Industrial Gigabit 802.3at PoE+ Switch that offers wire-speed performance. With four 10/100/1000TX ports and two 100/1000X SFP ports, the IGS-624HPT provides 30 maximum watts of power per port.IGS-624HPT Features

Features include:

  • 120W Total PoE Power Budget.
  • IP40 Metal Industrial Housing.
  • -40ºC to 75ºC Operating Temperature.
  • 12~56V Redundant DC Input.
  • Easy Installation.

Ideal for hardened environments, the IGS-624HPT switch is a cost-effective solution featuring industrial-grade Plug-and-Play. The unit adopts 12~54V DC to 54V power boost technology to solve power source issues without requiring special power supplies. 

With an intelligent LED indication, this unmanaged PoE switch helps users monitor the current status of PoE power usage. The switch supports +/-6KV surge immunity to improve product stability and protects users’ networks from devastating ESD attacks, ensuring the operation flow does not fluctuate. The device’s compact size is designed for installation in tight spaces, such as wall enclosures or rails. The industrial-grade metal case provides a high level of immunity against EMI and heavy electrical surges, often typical of plant floors or inside solar panel cabinets. Ventilated construction that doesn’t require a cooling fan makes operations noiseless.  

To incorporate PoE into your solar farm operation, contact Planet Technology USA.Â