EKO PV Blocks MP-1000S User manual

PV-Blocks
PV Evaluation system
Instruction Manual
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Contents
Contact Information ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Warranty and Liability ............................................................................................................................................. 5
About Instruction Manual ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Environment ............................................................................................................................................................. 6
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1. Safety ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
1.2. System components ................................................................................................................................. 10
1.3. System configuration ................................................................................................................................ 12
1.4. Getting started ........................................................................................................................................... 16
1.5. Installation .................................................................................................................................................. 17
2. Software ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
2.1. Connecting ................................................................................................................................................. 21
2.2. Workflow ..................................................................................................................................................... 23
2.3. Getting Started .......................................................................................................................................... 25
2.4. Menu ........................................................................................................................................................... 26
2.4.1. Home .............................................................................................................................................. 27
2.4.2. Data ................................................................................................................................................ 29
2.4.2.1. Periodic data viewer ................................................................................................................ 29
2.4.2.2. IV curve viewer ........................................................................................................................ 29
2.4.2.3. Data download ......................................................................................................................... 31
2.4.3. Setup .............................................................................................................................................. 32
2.4.3.1. Configure Irradiance sensors ................................................................................................. 32
2.4.3.2. Configure PV modules ............................................................................................................ 34
2.4.3.3. Site settings .............................................................................................................................. 36
2.4.3.4. Scheduler .................................................................................................................................. 37

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2.4.3.5. Hardware setup ........................................................................................................................ 40
2.4.3.6. Host computer .......................................................................................................................... 46
2.4.3.7. Backup ...................................................................................................................................... 47
2.4.3.8. Update ....................................................................................................................................... 48
2.4.3.9. Log ............................................................................................................................................. 50
2.4.4. Help ................................................................................................................................................ 50
2.4.5. Account .......................................................................................................................................... 50
3. Installation PV Blocks system ..................................................................................................................... 52
3.1. Connecting Power Supply (PSU) ............................................................................................................ 53
3.2. Connecting irradiance equipment (PV-IRR) .......................................................................................... 54
3.3. Connecting temperature measurement equipment (PV-TEMP) ........................................................ 55
3.4. Connecting external measurement equipment (PV-MOD) ................................................................. 57
3.5. Connecting PV Modules (PV-IV/MPP) ................................................................................................... 58
3.6. Starting-up system .................................................................................................................................... 60
3.7. Connecting computer (PV-LINK) ............................................................................................................ 61
4. Specifications ................................................................................................................................................. 62

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Thank you for using EKO Products
Reading this manual is recommended prior to installation and operation of the product. Keep this manual
in a safe and handy place for whenever it is needed.
For any questions, please contact us at below:
CONTACT INFORMATION
EKO INSTRUMENTS Europe B.V.
Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America Region
https://eko-eu.com/
[e-mail]
EKO INSTRUMENTS Europe B.V.
Lulofsstraat 55, Unit 28,
2521 AL, Den Haag, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 [0]70 3050117
Fax: +31 [0]70 3840607
PV-Blocks system is Designed by Rera Solutions
Mercator Building 1 / Toernooiveld 200 / 6525 EC Nijmegen / The Netherlands

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WARRANTY AND LIABILITY
For warranty terms and conditions, please contact EKO Instruments or your distributer for further de-
tails.
EKO guarantees that the product delivered to customer has been tested to ensure the instrument
meets its published specifications. The warranty included in the conditions of delivery is valid only if
the product has been installed and used according to the instructions provided in this operating man-
ual.
In case any manufacturing defect[s] will occur, the defected part[s] will be repaired or replaced under
warranty; however, the warranty will not be applicable if:
Ø Any modification or repair has been done by other than EKO service personnel.
Ø The damage or defect is caused by disrespecting the specifications mentioned on the product
brochure or instruction manual.
ABOUT INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Copy Rights Reserved by EKO INSTRUMENTS Europe B.V. Making copies of whole or parts of this
document without permission from EKO is prohibited.
This manual was issued: 2020/09/01
Version Number: 01

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ENVIRONMENT
1. WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC
In August of 2005, the European Union [EU] implemented the EU WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC and later the
WEEE Recast Directive 2012/19/EU requiring Producers of electronic and electrical equipment [EEE] to man-
age and finance the collection, reuse, recycling and to appropriately treat WEEE that the Producer places on
the EU market after August 13, 2005. The goal of this directive is to minimize the volume of electrical and
electronic waste disposal and to encourage re-use and recycling at the end of life.
EKO products are subject to the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC. EKO Instruments has labeled its
branded electronic products with the WEEE Symbol [figure Trash bin] to alert our customers that
products bearing this label should not be disposed of in a landfill or with municipal or household
waste in the EU.
If you have purchased EKO Instruments branded electrical or electronic products in the EU and are
intending to discard these products at the end of their useful life, please do not dispose of them with
your other household or municipal waste. Disposing of this product correctly will help save valuable
resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment, which
could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste handling.
2. RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC
EKO Instruments has completed a comprehensive evaluation of its product range to ensure compli-
ance with RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC regarding maximum concentration values for substances. As
a result all products are manufactured using raw materials that do not contain any of the restricted
substances referred to in the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC at concentration levels in excess of those
permitted under the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC, or up to levels allowed in excess of these concen-
trations by the Annex to the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC.

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1. INTRODUCTION
PV-Blocks is a modular measurement system to measure the performance of PV mod-
ules deployed in an outdoors environment under natural sunlight conditions.
The advanced research system is fully compatible with the latest PV technologies now
in development and is scalable to test multiple modules in parallel. During long-term ex-
posure tests, automatic measurements can be scheduled for continuous data retrieval of
the measurable modules parameters. Up to 32 modules can be connected to the PV-
Blocks base pack, to measure each individual I-V curve and characteristics under MPP
load conditions. Similarly, individual temperature measurements are performed on the
PV module. If modules are mounted with different tilt angles, different pyranometers or
reference cells can be used to measure the total radiation in plane with the module. The
system can be expanded with a meteorological station, sun-tracker (DNI, GHI, DHI) and
spectroradiometer.
This user manual will describe the software to use the PV-Blocks system. Please read
this manual carefully before using the system. The PV evaluation system is pre-config-
ured and ready to be used. The powerful onboard computer controls the entire system
and can be easily access through a local computer network. Data can be automatically
collected to any local folder on your network PC.

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1.1. SAFETY
All PV-Blocks are designed and manufactured with consideration for safety; however,
please make sure to read and understand this instruction manual thoroughly to be able
to operate the instrument safely in the correct manner.
General Warnings
• Make sure the system and the cables are installed in a location where they will not get
soaked with water.
• Although this product is tested to meet EMC Directive compliance requirements, it
may not fully satisfy its primary specification/performance when using this product
near following locations where strong electromagnetic wave is generated. Please pay
attention to the installation environment.
Outdoor: High voltage power line, power receiver/distribution facility, etc.
Indoor: Large-size chiller, large rotation device, microwave, etc.
• Do not use this product in the environment where corrosive gas, such as ammonia
and sulfurous acid gas, are generated. It may cause malfunction.
• Do not install in the area that cause salt damages. It may cause malfunction by paint
peeling off or corrosion.
Hardware in Enclosure
• Check the system for external damage. If the device is defective, it must not be used.
• The power supply must be switched off from outside according to EN 60950-1 (e.g.,
via the line protection on the primary side). Preferably mount the power supply in the
normal mounting position. Ensure that the primary-side and secondary-side wiring of
the power supply are the correct size and have sufficient fuse protection. The power
supply is a built-in device. The IP20 degree of protection of the power supply is in-
tended for a clean and dry environment. The power supply is mounted in a control
IP54 cabinet. For the connection parameters for wiring the power supply, such as the
required stripping length with and without ferrule, refer to the technical data section. As
a safety measure against shock currents, always wire the protective conductor device
terminal block to the control cabinet ground connection. To avoid accidental contact
with live parts, always cover the termination area (e.g., installation in the control cabi-
net).
• Check the voltage and types of specified power supply before connecting this instru-
ment. When improper power supply is connected, it may cause malfunction and/or ac-
cident.
• The power supply contains components that have been designed for operation at po-
tentially lethal voltages. The accumulated level of energy can also be high. Never
carry out work when mains voltage is present.

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• Depending on the ambient temperature and load on the power supply, the housing
can become hot.
Heatsinks
• The heatsinks that are connected to the PV modules will generate heat when the PV
modules are in operation. Do not touch the heatsinks or wear protective gloves.
• The heatsinks that are connected to the PV modules need to be placed at a ventilated
location where the heat can be easily dissipated. The heatsinks cannot be placed in
direct rain or wind.
• Do not place the heatsinks directly next to PV modules. As the heatsinks will generate
heat, this could influence the results of the performance measurements.

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1.2. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The PV Blocks MP-1000S Evaluation system consists of:
• Outdoor enclosure
• PV Base:
o Computer (PV Link) (1)
o 24 VDC Power supply (PSU) (2)
o PV Base Block (PV-BASE) (3)
o 10m ethernet cable
• PV-IRR: irradiance measurement (1 block) (4)
• Silicon Reference cells (2 pcs)
• PV-TEMP: temperature measurement (2 blocks) (5)
• PT100 sensor cables (8 pcs.)
• PV-MOD: integration of external instruments (1 block) (6)
• DIN Terminal: connection of external equipment (7)
• PV-IV/MPP: IV curve measurement and MPP tracking (8 blocks) (8)
• Heatsinks: 8 heatsinks incl. 5 m. cables for eliminating of heat
• Main switch (9)
• Fuses (1 fuse for PV Blocks and 1 fuse for computer) (10)
• Power supply C-Box (11)

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Figure 1.1 PV-Blocks configuration

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1.3. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
Configuration MP-1000S Evaluation system
Figure 1.2 DIN Terminal: connection of external equipment

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Figure 1.3 12V power block

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Table 1. System configuration (Example)
PV
BLock
Type
Name
Serial
HW
FW
Function
1
RR-1700
Base
v1.3
v1.00
BASE
2
RR-1720
IV-MPP
v2.0
v1.00
LOAD1
3
RR-1720
IV-MPP
v2.0
v1.00
LOAD2
4
RR-1720
IV-MPP
v2.0
v1.00
LOAD3
5
RR-1720
IV-MPP
v2.0
v1.00
LOAD4
6
RR-1720
IV-MPP
v2.0
v1.00
LOAD5
7
RR-1720
IV-MPP
v2.0
v1.00
LOAD6
8
RR-1720
IV-MPP
v2.0
v1.00
LOAD7
9
RR-1720
IV-MPP
v2.0
v1.00
LOAD8
10
RR-1750
PV-MOD
v1.3
v1.00
PV-MET500
C-BOX
MS-90
MS80S
11
RR-1740
PV-TEMP
v2.0
v1.00
T1, T2, T3, T4
12
RR-1740
PV-TEMP
v2.0
v1.00
T5, T6, T7, T8
13
RR-1730
PV-IRR
v2.0
v1.00
Ref-Cell 1
Ref-Cell 2
Heatsinks
1
Heatsink
LOAD1
2
Heatsink
LOAD2
3
Heatsink
LOAD3
4
Heatsink
LOAD4
5
Heatsink
LOAD5
6
Heatsink
LOAD6
7
Heatsink
LOAD7
8
Heatsink
LOAD8
Other
Powersupply
PSU
Computer
K300
PV-LINK
System pinout
11
24V Ventila-
tor
12
24V Ventila-
tor

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13
24V Ventila-
tor
14
24V Ventila-
tor
15
24V Ventila-
tor
16
24V Ventila-
tor
17
0V Ventilator
18
0V Ventilator
19
0V Ventilator
20
0V Ventilator
21
0V Ventilator
22
0V Ventilator
23
Modbus B
24
Modbus Gnd
25
Modbus A
26
Gnd for 12V
27
12VDC
28
Modbus A
29
Modbus B

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1.4. GETTING STARTED
In order to obtain high quality measurements several criteria with respect to set-up and mounting of the
instruments have to be considered.
The ideal mounting position for the system is a location which has a full hemispheric field-of-view without
any obstructions [such as buildings, trees, and mountains]; however, it might be difficult to find such loca-
tions. Therefore, in practice it is ideal to install in a position which is free from obstructions at 5° above
horizon.
The setup location should be easily accessible for periodic maintenance [glass dome cleaning], and avoid
surrounding towers, poles, walls or billboards with bright colors that can reflect solar radiation onto the PV
system.
The All-weather IP54 PV blocks system can be installed in close range to the PV modules. The Load units
can be directly connected to the PV module.
Install the IV/MPP load units on a metal frame not exposed to precipitation and direct sun
light. The loads unit are IP54 protected, however it is strongly recommended to shelter
from environmental factors.
During installation and service make sure mains power is switched off.

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1.5. INSTALLATION
The system is pre-configured. Follow the installation instructions in chapter 1.5 to complete the setup.
More detailed instructions are given in chapter 3.
For Installation of the main unit. Use the corner brackets provided with the enclosure. The main unit can
be installed in close range (< 10m) to the PV modules.
Most of the cable are pre-connected.
Cables:
1. Cable to IV/MPP loads.
2. Back panel temperature sensors
3. PVmet500
4. Si-reference sensors
5. Computer
6. Mains cable
1. IV-MPP load cables
a. Connect the labeled cable (Load 1-8) with 8 pin con-
nector on the IV/MPP load in consecutive order (1-8).
b. Connect the cable of the fan to the fan connector.
c. Connect the PV modules to the 4 wire Module input.
Y splitter is provided to connect the 2 cable of the PV
modules.
In case PV module cable will be extended. Apply 4 cable in between the Y splitter and the IV/MPP
module.
A
B
C

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2. Back panel temperature sensors
The PT-100 cables have a label (1-8) and should be at-
tached to the PV module of the corresponding number of
the IV/MPP load.
The temperature sensor has a 3M double sided indus-
trial adhesive. Clean the backside of the PV module for
proper adhesion. The strain relieve can be attached in
close distance to the sensor head.
3. PVmet500
The PVmet500 meteorological station can be in-
stalled near to the PV evaluation system.
For proper wind measuerments keep the sensor at
a minimum hight of 2m above ground.
Connections:
Yellow A-
Orange B+
Red VDC+
Black VDC –
Green/yellow Ground

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4. Silicon reference sensors
The reference cells need to be mounted in the same
plane as the PV modules.
The cables are connected to the terminal block. Insert
the terminal block to the analog unit.
Connections:
Orange Signal +
Black Signal -
5. Computer
Connect the ethernet cable to COM1 for local area
networks. The other port (COM2 / 3) can be used for
a peer to peer connection with a PC.

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6. Mains cable
Connect the mains cable. The cable can be ex-
tended with the extension plug provided by the sys-
tem. When the cable is connected to mains, switch
on the power.
The system is ready to be used. For more details about the installation got to chapter 3.
For settings and operation connect to a computer in your computer network follow the
steps in chapter 2.