1. Solar Photovoltaic Commissioning and Validation
Seattle Solar Hawks, PSEJATC, Seattle, Washington, April 7th, 2017.

2. The Team Pavel Lutsyuk Matthew Pulk Xerxes Shelley Andrew Wissink
Faculty Advisor:
Steve Uhrich
All work was done in an “Electrically Safe Work Manner” per NFPA-70E. All equipment was de-energized, locked, tagged & tested before the apprentices worked on it.
We’d like to give a special thank you to Scott Stone, Chaun Carda and Rick Zabroski for their technical support and assistance with this project.

3. Objective
The objective of this study is to commission our school’s Solar Photovoltaic System, and to validate it’s design parameters. Our approach is two-pronged, and consists of using Fluke’s new Connect Series test measurement tools, as well as Condition Monitoring equipment transmitting through the 3501 FC Gateway. We will monitor both the AC and DC output of the Photovoltaic System. We will simultaneously conduct a similar study that focuses solely on the AC portion of the system, and will be using a non-connect Fluke Power Logger. We are projecting that the use of the Fluke Connect and Condition Monitoring Equipment will result in at least a 25% reduction in man-hours required to complete the study, and will yield a more detailed report.
steps and measurements your team would take. How will you document what you do?

4. Methodology
In order to audit the Photovoltaics System at the JATC building in Renton, WA, our team did the following:
Installed measurement tools on the DC output from the solar arrays, on the AC output panel, as well as indoor and outdoor temperature sensors.
Recorded the data using both the new Fluke Connect instruments (such as the 3530, 3501 with 6 sensors) as well as older Fluke Meters.
Compared the results to the advertised 10KW generation rating of our 12 year old system.
Used the TiS575 infrared camera to search
for any inherent faults or hotspots which
could negatively impact the efficiency of the
equipment.

5. Typical Photovoltaic System Layout

6. Installation Photos
A full video of our installation can be watched at:

7. Infrared Images

8. Everything is Awesome
Here we have proven that the photovoltaic system exceeds the design specs of 10kW

9. Installation, downloading, reporting of metering equipment
Savings!
Installation of Fluke Condition monitoring with connect has introduced substantial cost savings via labor hours! 
Installation, downloading, reporting of metering equipment
Using Fluke 434 & 1735 Power Log Analyzer  
Using 3540 Fluke Condition Monitoring 
$avings
34 hrs*
16 hrs*
-47% hrs
*Incl. Travel time (multiple trips) and AC line power, which necessitated an outlet installation.
*Incl. Travel time (just 2 trips) and no outlet installation.

10. Impact & Recommendations
Our Project proved and validated the 10KW photovoltaic installation at the Puget Sound Electrical JATC. It is still producing, after 12  years in operation, above and beyond it’s design specs!  By comparing the two different technologies against each other, it became clear exactly how much time could be saved using the Fluke Connect equipment. Another positive impact is the ability to fully enclose the test equipment inside of a panel, thus elimaniting a saftey hazard of having a panel door open, and having to place deliniation around it.
We would highly recommend that electrical contractors who conduct power quality studies utilize this new technology. Special care must be taken to locate the gateway as close as possible to the test sensors, and to ensure that a fresh set of batteries are installed as well.
Why do you think the wireless Fluke Connect tools and smart phone app will make a difference, compared to existing technology / methodology? AKA, why can’t your project/improvement be accomplished without Fluke Connect? Why should it be used by technicians in plant, industrial, and commercial settings.

11. Lessons learned
The DC Hall-effect sensors should incorporate a larger battery. They lasted for two weeks versus the advertised month.
The proximity of the gateway to the test instruments has a large impact on its reliability.
The thermal imager has a dual capture function with a thermal overlay, which is extremely helpful in identifying exactly what you have recorded.
The 3540FC 3 phase power analyzer was much easier to setup and use then the older technology Fluke 434 and Fluke 1735.
The Fluke Condition Monitoring system made it much easier to access the information provided by the test tools by uploading the data to the cloud. Multiple people over a wide area could access the information at anytime. The 1 second data capture and 24 second update speed meant we always had up to date data to analyze.
Biggest surprise was that a twelve year old photovoltaic installation was still producing and exceeding its designed power output.