PassivSystems Limited, a UK based home energy management system firm, will provide its PassivPro platform to the Authority for Electricity Regulation (AER) in Oman which will help the latter to manage residential rooftop PV capacity.
PassivPro is an asset lifecycle platform from PassivSystems and will be used by AER to manage up to 250,000 residential PV assets, from pre-installation through commissioning, operation, remote monitoring and maintenance. The UK company will customize its platform to suit local environmental conditions, including providing support for the use of extra sensors to analyse the impact of extreme heat on output.
It will also install sensors to detect localized build-up of debris in the form of encrusted deposits on the panels due to sand, high winds and early morning moisture that may negatively impact panel performance. With help from its network of physical sensors into the platform, PassivSystems says it will accurately forecast how yield changes with temperature and alert homeowners or maintenance teams to clean the systems as and when required.
Oman is encouraging the residential segment to deploy rooftop solar systems under its Sahim initiative.
Explaining the criteria for choosing PassivSystems for the project under a competitive tender, AER's Executive Director Qais Saud Al Zakwani said, "PassivSystems technology demostrates clear benefits against its competitors' by providing a platform that manages the full lifecycle of the solar PV assets. Its system collects daily generation data to help ensure we optimise yield and also allows us to track and manage workflows, including approvals, asset serial numbers and documentation – essential information that we need to track in order to efficiently manage a programme of this size and scale."
AER had brought the UK company on board in early 2018 to consult on the first phase of its plan to install PV systems on more than 30% of all residential rooftops in the emirate.
In July 2018, AER started grid connecting residential rooftop solar PV systems installed under the Sahim scheme with an aim to help residents save around 40% on their electricity bills (see Oman Rooftop PV Scheme Goes Online).