RACE ST N2 - Maximising Solar ROI: Advanced Diagnostics for PV Systems [24185]

Start year: 2025

Summary: Australia is transitioning towards renewable energy sources and today renewable energy makes up 40% of the National Energy Market. Australia also has the highest per capita rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, the performance of these distributed PV systems is often limited by various reliability issues, including component degradation, shading, soiling, ground faults, grid side issues and others. Addressing these challenges is key to maximise the return on investment (ROI) for solar installations, ensuring lower costs for customers, making sure the grid is stable and accelerating the adoption of clean energy in Australia. Opportunities: This project aims to develop novel diagnostic tools and techniques for automatically monitoring, analysing, and optimising the performance of distributed PV systems. By leveraging advanced data analytics, statistical and machine learning algorithms, we will gain detailed insights into the reliability of solar installations. This will support proactive maintenance strategies, and enable detailed fault diagnosis and performance optimisation, ultimately enhancing the energy yield, maximising the return on ROI, the reliability and extending the lifespan of PV systems. Impact: The project will increase the reliability, maximise the output and minimise the cost of ownership of commercial PV systems and hence reduce energy costs for Australian businesses and lower carbon emissions. By 2035, provided full penetration of our solution in Australia, we anticipate up to a $179,5 millions cost savings for customers and 2,3 millions tC02 emission reduction per annum.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.