Chinese microinverter manufacturer Hoymiles Power Electronics has unveiled the S-Miles cloud platform for real-time visualised monitoring of solar power generating equipment.

With the IoT-supported data collection devices, the platform can track the output effectiveness of arrays, provide status updates on individual modules, and notify of any malfunctions.

“Our new and improved version of the monitoring platform is in line with Hoymiles’ mission to make electric energy smarter, improve cloud data processing capabilities and extend the data response time of edge computing gateways,” said Zhao Yi, director of the Hoymiles R&D centre. “Through providing a broad array of smart monitoring, operations-based and maintenance functionality, we can provide more value for our customers, and that’s our main focus.”

Accessible as a mobile app or via a web browser, the platform provides an easy-to-use portal to maintain solar power stations. Integrating the platform into an existing array can be quick and simple.

The upgraded platform has a clean and simple dashboard interface designed with end-users in mind to allow for clearer visual data displays and options for in-depth analysis. The upgrade also includes a real-time progress-tracking feature for hardware updates, which displays a progress bar and provides detailed explanations of any errors that occur.

Supporting the improved end-user display is a technical structure that collects, analyses and distributes data. The upgraded platform now can offer synchronised data analysis. Being a cloud-based application, data processing is completed through parallel computing architecture that allows for optimal usage of all CPUs within the cluster and supports an open application programming interface for cross-platform communications, data sharing and remote operation via TCP socket connection.

The platform is also compatible with Hoymiles’ latest hardware offerings – DTU-Pro, DTU-Lite and sub-1G version microinverters.

Through the standardisation of data across a power station, operators can make more accurate data-driven decisions regarding onsite operations that enable optimised energy output. The platform not only provides accurate and timely status reports but also includes indicators to display self-generated energy inputs and output for the solar station, to map overall power generation status more clearly.

Founded in 2012, Hoymiles provides MLPE (module-level power electronics) for solar investors and end-users. The four-in-one and two-in-one microinverters are used in commercial and domestic rooftop installations in various countries and regions including America, Europe and Asia.