The ReadyEdge is a system monitoring and site management device that connects to one or multiple compatible Morningstar charge controllers to aggregate their operating data and enable remote management.
Future Proofing Off-Grid Systems Against Obsolescence
Article from | Morningstar
As site needs evolve, existing off-grid solar deployments need upgrading to accommodate new system demands and control needs to improve energy optimization. In the past, these system upgrades were often costly and time consuming. Fortunately, the new Morningstar ReadyEdgeTM can now be used to mitigate much of these costs and time expenditures, and easily provide a variety of system control enhancements while interfacing with solar power equipment already in place within the system.
New features such as prioritized load control, hybrid charge management, new battery chemistry support, auxiliary voltage monitoring, and secure remote data connectivity can be enabled easily to enhance an existing site’s functionality.
The ReadyEdge is a system monitoring and site management device that connects to one or multiple compatible Morningstar charge controllers to aggregate their operating data and enable remote management. It also supports Morningstar’s ReadyBlock system accessories to add relay, shunt, and/or battery management system capabilities. Moreover, the ReadyEdge enables connection to Morningstar Solar Connect–a cloud based site management web portal that allows users to view a snapshot of the status of all their global off-grid installations. Additionally, the ReadyEdge provides access to LiveView–a local web app that provides a high level system dashboard, battery, configuration options, system control scheduling, and Ready Block setup using any web browser on any device.
To put all of this into perspective, suppose an existing off-grid site was installed with a generator that had to be manually started or stopped depending on load requirements and weather conditions that limited battery charging from a solar array. A ReadyEdge with attached ReadyRelay could be attached to the charge controller to facilitate programming to automatically start and stop the generator based on battery voltage readings, state of charge or low solar insolation conditions. It ensures a successful generator start by monitoring AC voltage feedback.
Another example concerns load control. If an existing off-grid solar system includes a Morningstar charge controller that does not have low voltage disconnect capabilities, these capabilities can be added by connecting the ReadyEdge to the controller and programming low voltage disconnect and reconnect settings based on battery voltage limits. Multiple tiered loads can be prioritized to sequentially disconnect when power savings are required without shutting down the system entirely. Load power can also be measured by using the available shunts.
If an existing off-gird application needs to communicate battery state of charge information, the ReadyEdge and ReadyShunt can be added to the system to perform and display these calculations by monitoring net battery current inclusive of all system current flows. If lead-acid batteries are swapped out for lithium batteries, or another battery chemistry, a ReadyEdge and ReadyBMS can be added to the system to provide direct digital communications with the lithium battery’s internal BMS, thereby allowing remote monitoring of the battery performance
Furthermore, if an off-grid solar application does not have site management and remote monitoring/control, these capabilities can be added by connecting a ReadyEdge to an existing system’s Morningstar charge controller. Morningstar Solar Connect and Liveview can both provide timely notifications and alerts to help site managers quickly identify and troubleshoot any problems with their systems.
It is important to note that the ReadyEdge was designed to support up to 6 ReadyBlocks including any new Blocks that are created in the future to provide new system features and capabilities. This forward-thinking design reinforces the “future proof” concept that is the cornerstone of Morningstar’s Integrated Series.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
Morningstar Corporation
With over 4 million products installed and sold since 1993-in some of the most extreme environments and mission-critical applications in the world-Morningstar Corporation is the world's leading supplier of solar controllers and inverters. The US-based, privately-owned company is headquartered in Newtown, Pennsylvania, with an engineering research and development center in Maryland, and a global network of dedicated, best-in-class distribution and manufacturing partners. With some three decades of consistent, independent ownership and management behind it, Morningstar today enjoys stability and staying power unique in the industry- a result of the high morale, independent culture carefully cultivated by its founders and their original vision.
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