Introduction: This project is to install environmental and network monitoring stations at 10 PV arrays on Electricity North West Ltd’s network and then use the data to refine models of the LV network under development. Weather stations developed for the Dynamic Line Ratings project, a sunlight monitor (solarimeter) developed for the Stockport Smart Fuse project and voltage and current monitors developed for the LV Network Solutions project will be installed at the 10 largest PV array locations. The aim of this is to gather at least one year’s performance data (export, effects of temporary cloud cover, ambient temperature, fog, frost) and analyse this against the types of PV installed (including the angle of inclination, orientation) to better understand the capability of our network to accommodate larger PV installations. In addition to specific analysis of the resulting data it will also be used to test LV network models under development to compare simulated results with measurements.

The data is being hosted on a bespoke software application developed by Bellrock (Strathclyde University spin out) and analysed by Manchester University

Objectives: Monitoring of stations at 10 PV arrays with the aim of gathering one years worth of data in relation to PV installed at each array.