Que: How do you see AI technology changing the solar industry?

Ans: Huawei thinks the largest challenge that solar inverters are currently facing is the in-depth intelligence, rather than the improvement of generation and efficiency. So, Huawei FusionSolar Smart PV Solution has initiated with AI technology for PV plants, since last year. Inverters are expected to evolve into intelligent devices that can “think”, “listen”, “speak”, and “perceive”, facilitating the comprehensive intelligence transformation of PV plants.

We released AI BOOST FusionSolar 6.0 Smart PV Solution this year. Huawei helps promote the implementation of leading technologies in the solar industry. In the technological integration of multi-MPPT design, intelligent multi-peak tracking, Smart I-V Curve Diagnosis 3.0, and AI boost connection algorithm, Smart PV 6.0 Solution reduces LCOE by more than 8%, creating more value for customers.

Moreover, AI Technology has promoted industrial upgrading and transformation. The renewable energy industry has ushered in a rapid development period of digital transformation. Huawei will take advantage of its innovative technology and rich experience, such as Smart I-V Curve Diagnosis 3.0, to greatly improve O&M efficiency, reduce O&M costs, and improve the operating efficiency of the entire life cycle of PV plants.

Along with the development of AI, Huawei is also working to integrate other tools such as IoT, big data, and cloud computing, with PV technology. This is to promote industry-leading smart PV solutions for utility-scale and commercial scenarios and provide higher LCOE.

Que: Huawei was announced as the winner of the SNEC Top 10 Highest Award – Terawatt Diamond Award, for its Smart I-V Diagnosis 3.0. Please share more details.

Ans: As the first AI Boost Smart I-V Diagnosis Technology worldwide, Huawei Smart IV Diagnosis 3.0 has three revolutionary breakthroughs:

AI Technology Embedded to Reconstruct O&M (operation and maintenance) Experience:

Huawei Smart I-V Diagnosis 3.0 integrates AI technology in the field of solar operation and maintenance. Smart PV management system performs big data-based analysis on the I-V curve of PV modules, applies AI smart diagnosis algorithm and identifies fault strings accurately. Through AI self-learning, Smart I-V Diagnosis 3.0 continuously optimize tracking algorithm and find module-level defects, transferring O&M of solar PV into the AI era.

100MW/15 Minutes to Create Ultimate Fast O&M:

The 100MW PV Plant has tens of thousands of components and covers an area equivalent to 300 football fields. Smart I-V Diagnosis 3.0 can complete full detection of 100MW strings and output auto reports in only 15 minutes with a detailed analysis of fault reasons. Big-data analysis can proactively discover a low-performance unit, achieving the revolution from passive maintenance to active preventive maintenance. Moreover, further application of AI evolves the operation and maintenance of PV plants towards “autonomous driving”.

Full-scenario Application to be Better Suitable for Bifacial Modules:

Due to the uneven irradiation of the backside and ground reflected diffuse, the current mismatch is more serious, and the accuracy requirement of the I-V detection is higher. Through AI self-learning, smart I-V diagnosis 3.0 further adapts with bifacial modules, improves the recognition accuracy of bifacial modules’ model, and accurately identifies mismatches such as shading and component failure.

Huawei Smart I-V Diagnosis is the technology that has solely obtained the TÜV certification in the industry. The accuracy of data monitoring in the empirical project is as high as 0.5%, and it can accurately identify up to 14 abnormal types, ensuring the solar system is performing at its peak status. Over 5 GW application of Smart, I-V Diagnosis has been deployed globally. Furthermore, it is widely used in the various scenarios, such as utility-scale, commercial and residential scenarios, as well as agriculture solar, fishery solar and water floating scenario.

Que: How do you see AI technology in terms of cost for an already low margin solar industry, especially in a cost-sensitive market like India?

Ans: Huawei agrees that all the consumers would prefer cost-effective products, which means high-efficiency products at a low cost. Price is not the only reason for customers to choose the solar power generation solution. The most important factor to be considered is high-quality products, including high reliability, high efficiency, and end-to-end smart PV solution, etc. Taking a 25-year life span into consideration, the AI Boost FusionSolar Smart PV Solution that Huawei provides has the optimal LCOE for solar projects.

Huawei believes high quality is essential for the long life of the product, and we never sacrifice quality to lower our product costs. This has raised the confidence in our customers in Huawei solution and their immense faith in Huawei solutions has reflected in repeat orders and making Huawei No.1 inverter solution supplier globally.

Que: What is the cumulative GW installation of Huawei in the Indian solar market? How do you foresee the next 2 years for Huawei in India?

Ans: We have attained more than 1 GW installation in India, and there are more than 4 GW accumulated shipments happening until August 2019. There are several companies that see Huawei as a long-time partner to develop PV plants, such as Adani, ReNew Power, Hero Future Energies, Engie, Greenko, and NLC.

The Indian solar market is one of the most significant PV markets globally and has a great prospect. Huawei invariably sees India as an essential solar market. Together with Indian partners, we are continuously developing advanced technologies for PV plants to improve energy yields, reduce operational costs and maximize profits. Huawei will bring more advanced and competitive products and FusionSolar Smart PV Solutions to the Indian market to contribute to the prosperity of the PV industry in India.