Insights

1 MW solar farm energy loss due to undetected faults of various parameter amounts to 1400-2000 kWh which is 12-15% of the farm output capacity. (see Table 2 bellow)
Financially, for a loss of 15% output it translates to 25,000-38,000 USD loss of income (country dependent).

Solarca-Analysis will introduce you to SmartHelio advanced AI software that can reduce your loss by 70-80%

Solar “MRI” Scan: A symbolic illustration of AI transforming hidden solar losses into measurable energy gains. Solarca-Analysis walk you through the process and SmartHelio software accomplishes this improvement without the need for new hardware.

Performance Parameters Guide

Operator resources that clarify performance drivers and help move from data to action. Here’s data sets of SCADA or other monitoring systems parameters for delivering a diagnosis & analytics at various levels of accuracy. The data sets also indicate the various parameters, what affects their function, the components that deliver the parameters values and action to be taken after SmartHelio’s software localize the faults. SmartHelio provides the Insight sand Solarca-Analysis facilitates onboarding, data sharing, and communication.

Comprehensive Performance Diagnostics

Gain detailed diagnostics &analytics by SmartHelio’s advanced AI software to identify inefficiencies and improve your solar farm’s output through precise data analysis.

Consultation Services

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Performance Parameters Guide

Utilize our in-depth guide to understand key metrics and optimize your solar farm’s performance parameters effectively.

Footnotes & parameters explanations

The values in the Table 1 and Table 2 above are not exact measurements from any single plant.

• Based on typical industry studies (e.g. PVsyst loss diagrams, NREL‐SAM breakdowns, IEC 61724 benchmarks) rather than one specific site.
  
• Values are typical for 1-5MW farms. Intended as a starting point—needs to be recalibrated by the specific farm performance
  
• Losses are shown as approximate real-energy impact based on a typical capacity factor CF= ~22%
  
• Event frequency (typical) = Percentage of events (out of all events in a certain period of time) seen in field studies. Might differ by site.
  
  
• Optional diagnosis parameters adds confidence (per row):
  Soiling: rain log or soiling proxy (stand-in sensor).
  Shading: occasional drone/IR or clear site photos.
  Inverter trip/derate: inverter status/alarms.
  Array underperformance: DC telemetry if available.
  String/wiring: string I/V monitors at combiners.
  Thermal: a few back-of-module temp probes.
  Grid limits: voltage/PF telemetry.
  Curtailment: grid/dispatch logs.
  
• LEGEND OF PARAMETERS
• Inverter trip / derate: Trip = shuts off; Derate = stays on but limits power below max.
• Curtailment: Grid/utility tells the plant to hold back power even though it could produce more.
• Clipping:
  † Curtailment/clipping monthly loss: cap% × 1,000 kW × curtailed hours in month.
• Wiring map (topology): Simple map of which strings feed which MPPT/inverter.
• Proxy: A stand-in measurement (e.g., clean vs. dirty reference) used to estimate a value without a dedicated sensor.
• Grid limits (voltage / PF / VAR):
  High/low voltage or required power factor/reactive power (VARs) can force the inverter to reduce real power (kW).
• Inverter rating / PF settings:
  Rating = the inverter’s maximum AC power (nameplate). PF settings = how much reactive power it must handle; tighter settings can reduce export kW.
• PCC / inverter terminals:
  PCC (Point of Common Coupling) = where the plant ties into the grid. Inverter terminals = the inverter’s AC connection points.
• Per-MPPT AC + layout (tilt/azimuth):
  AC output from each inverter MPPT channel, combined with panel angles and direction; together they reveal which channel/row is low and whether the cause matches shading times or general dirt.
  PR- Performance Ratio -how well the farm turned available sun into AC energy after all losses
  

Symbolic graphic showing that with only irradiance (sun) and AC power SmartHelio AI can compute Performance Ratio (PR) and detect performance drops

When data are very limited, SmartHelio’s software can still deliver a quantifiable PR-based analysis—and flag large performance drops—using just the “absolute minimum” SCADA /monitoring system inputs.

This is Practically the Free Diagnostic offered by SmartHelio.
The two parameters cover nearly 100%of the minimal viable farm performance diagnostic– it flags performance drops and estimates yield loss but without indication about the fault – what/why/where/action to fix.
Additional information regarding the fault in order to provide the full fault information requires at least one time full diagnostic or real time monitoring using additional data available.

How it works with just these two parameters, irradiance, AC output power:

1. Compute Performance Ratio (PR): PR = (AC Energy) / (Irradiance × Installed kW).
2. Trend & Deviation Analysis: Identify days or hours when PR drops below a threshold (e.g. 80 %).
3. Quantify Losses: Multiply the
   PR deviation (%) x Irradiance (kWh/squre meter × Capacity (MW)
   to estimate kWh lost—and convert to revenue at the electricity tariff rate.

With only solar irradiance and AC output power data, you can detect that something is wrong—indicated by a drop in Performance Ratio—and even quantify the energy or revenue lost. However, you cannot reliably determine whether these issues are caused by weather conditions or underperformance of the farm, nor can you identify the specific fault or faults.

Minimal additions for meaningful diagnostics
To go from “something’s off” to “here’s what and where to fix,” you need at least one of these parameters added to the limited data setup:

1. String-level current or voltage (even at the combiner level)
   • → Localizes issues to a particular string/combiner box.
2. Inverter status logs/alarms
   • → Flags inverter trips, derates, or error codes.
3. Module-temperature sensors or ambient temperature
   • → Distinguishes thermal derating vs. soiling/shading.

With one or more of those, you can correlate PR dips to specific equipment or areas, classify the failure mode, and recommend targeted corrective actions. More data will increase accuracy.

Step One: Initial Diagnostics

Begin by utilizing SmartHelio”s free diagnostic tools to assess your solar farm’s current performance and identify key improvement areas.

Step Two: Consultation

Engage with Solarca-Analysis tailor strategies for enhancing operational efficiency.

Step Three: Performance Optimization

Implement by SmartHelio recommended measures and monitor progress through continuous analytics to ensure sustained performance gains.