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Specifications of Photovoltaic Generation Monitoring System so far
This is an introduction example of Photovoltaic Generation facilities (Mega Solar) often seen in various locations in Japan.
So far, as monitoring system in Photovoltaic Generation facilities, PLC takes a sample of
  • Information of Temperature / Solar Insolation from Temperature Gauge / Pyrheliometer
  • Information of Power Generation Status from Power Conditioner
  • Digital Signals from Receiving and Transforming Facilities,
then sampling data was uploaded to Windows based PC and was used as monitor display / data logging.
Architecture for Photovoltaic Generation Monitoring System
■■■ Architecture for Photovoltaic Generation Monitoring System ■■■
Funcitonal Integration by INplc
You can functioanlly integrate this monitring system by introducing INplc Controller.
  • Change analog value from Temperature Gauge / Pyrheliometer and Digital Signals from Receiving and Transforming Facilities to Wiring-Saving Control using fieldbus EtherCAT®
  • As for Power Generation Status from Power Conditioner, you can get from the LAN ports with INplc Controller
  • INplc Controller itself can do data sampling and can do monitor display using HMI software on Windows OS
System Composition
PLC Program
1) AI / DI Signal
2) TCP Communication with Power Conditioner
3) File Output


HMI(Windows)
HMI画面


Internet
Send abnormal mail for remote maintenance
■■■ Functional Architecture for Photovoltaic Generation Monitoring System ■■■
Advantages by INplc
Firstly you have advantages of Space Saving and Cost Saving by integrating the system with 2 hardware (PLC + PC) to one PC Contoller.
Regarding I/O, since wiring-saving fieldbus EtherCAT® is adopted, I/O wiring is integrated into one LAN cable, so wiring-cost can be reduced.
Moreover the controller itself has Windows function, so it can send e-mails which notice abnormality when it detects abnormal status. Administrators who receives such e-mail can achieve remote maintenance to correspond to such situations.

Complicated Test Environment by multiple PLCs
This is an example that INplc Controllers are used as target machines for test for multiple PLC in a job site.
This customer prepares for multile PLCs from several vendors so as to achieve controlling in a job site.
Since each PLC has its vendor proper I/O device, so when they'd like to check, they had to prepare for each different target machine / program to test it.

They'd like to improve the status that they must prepare for multiple PLCs / test program even if the test content was same.
Target Machine for multiple PLCs Test System
■■■ Test Environment so far ■■■
Achieve efficient Test Target by Multi I/F, Function Block of INplc
INplc has corresponded to I/O interfaces covering a wide range such as EtherCAT®, CC-Link, CC-Link IE, PROFI NET, PROFI BUS, DeviceNet.
You don't have to modify your programs even if you change devices, because such interfaces are used in PLC programs as variable-address way. (Only modify I/O definition)
One INplc Controller can take charge of the role of target machines of multiple vendors' PLC used in job sites.
Target Machine for multiple PLCs Test System
■■■ Architecture for Target Machine for multiple PLCs Test System ■■■
Since PLC programs used in Target machines for test can be divided into Function / Function Block per its function, so you can create target programs only by embedding required functions as Function / Function Block.
Therefore you can shorten time for creating test programs.
Advantages by INplc
By intrducing INplc Controller, multiple PLCs needed in convertional systems can be integrated into One INplc Controller.
Based on this, you don't have to prepare for test programs per each target machine, and your development time can be shorten since you can use Function / Function Block,
as a result, extensive efficiency of operations can be achieved.

Specification of conventional Positioning System
This is an example of a chemical plant maker.
Conventioanl System before introducing INplc Controller consisted of
  • PLC for motion control
  • PC assigned to image processing
  • HMI Monitor which displays each status
Software Composition
■■■ Architecture of Positioning System so far ■■■
Functional Integration by INplc
As well as Photovoltaic Generation Monitoring System, functional integration from multiple hardware can be achieved by using INplc Controller.
  • As for motion control, wiring-saving can be achieved by introducing EtherCAT®
  • As for image processing, introduction to INplc Controller can be achieved with little conversion work since conventional image processing software itself can be located to Windows OS of INplc Controller.
  • HMI monitoring can be achieved by connecting a touch panel with INplc Controller
Software Composition
■■■ System Architecture after introducing INplc ■■■
Advantages by INplc
As well as Photovoltaic Generation Monitoring System, Space Saving and Cost Saving can be achieved by integrating system with multiple hardware to one controller.
Regarding motion control part, since wiring-saving fieldbus EtherCAT® is adopted, I/O wiring needed per axis is integrated into one LAN cable, so wiring-cost can be reduced.
Moreover HMI function can be achieved not by dedicated hardware but by HMI software on Windows OS of INplc Controller, so HMI Monitoring System can be achieved without communication among HMI, PLC and image processing device.
※EtherCAT® is a trademark of Beckhoff Automation GmbH, Germany.