Aldi:
PV performance monitoring
Custom Solution Rolled Out Across 200 Stores
Project Delivered Within 4 Months
The results have helped guide Aldi's new build specifications
The Problem
Many Aldi stores throughout the UK have Solar PV (photovoltaics) installed on their roofs. However, problems were only identified when engineers physically accessed the roof space. There was no way of knowing if Solar PVs were running efficiently off-site, as they only saw the generation meter, and couldn’t monitor the conditions of the weather to compare this to. Plus, Aldi were also keen to ensure they weren’t sending engineers up to the roof unnecessarily, as health and safety is a big priority for them.
We needed to provide a solution that allowed remote efficiency management of the panels, but also reduced the need for engineers at access the roof space.
The Concept
Most of the technology Aldi needed to implement was already in place within stores, in the form of their building management system (BMS). However, they needed to identify how to expand their system to include Solar PV monitoring. We worked with Aldi by assessing their existing systems to find the most efficient and streamline way of monitoring PV performance. Once we agreed on the schedule of work, we created the solution that was trialled across 20 stores.
Due to the scale of the project, getting ahead with the planning and scheduling was extremely important, along with ensuring we were gathering all the required data from each site and confirming remote visibility as we went.
The Solution
We suggested that Aldi move to a predictive monitoring system, and worked with the internal team to assess their existing systems to find the most efficient and streamline way of monitoring PV performance. Once we agreed on the schedule of work, we created the solution that was trialled across 20 stores. That way, they’ll be alerted when a problem arises and only send engineers when needed. By installing a specialist sensor, radiation from the sun can be monitored, allowing a ratio of good performance to be created between both radiation level and generation meter.
Once a good performance ratio between radiation and generation read was agreed, this was used to create a performance alarm to indicate if a failure occurs. This would enable us to tell the difference between certain causes, such as efficiency deteriorating over time due to cleaning or maintenance issues, or if there was an actual fault with the system.
By having this real-time information about their Solar PV performance available to them, Aldi were able to reduce scheduled roof visits to manually inspect the units, therefore supporting Aldi’s focus on health and safety.
It’s been really exciting working with a client as engaged as Aldi around their solar monitoring – from working together on a solution that would fit their estate, through trailing and eventually the national roll out, we have enjoyed every minute.
Delivery
It’s safe to say that the system we put in place for Aldi has been a success. So much so that the solution has been rolled out nationally to all Aldi stores from Aberdeen to Plymouth on all existing solar PV systems on 200+ sites, and has become part of their project specifications for new builds. Despite the complexities of this project, Thermatic Energy were able to complete within four months.
