光伏系統輸出的測量

　　在太陽能光伏發電的帶動下，從可再生能源中獲取能源的市場正在蓬勃發展。在最簡單的水平上，一個單獨的住宅配備了一個光伏系統，為自己使用發電，并將多余的反饋給國家電網。最高級別是公用事業規模的光伏發電廠和太陽能農場，有助于改善電網的彈性，并幫助各國政府實現減少二氧化碳排放的全球目標。

　　與此同時，智能電網的概念正在出現，為國家電力基礎設施提供急需的升級。智能電表和非高峰電價的部署將有助于公用事業達到高峰需求而不過度提高總產能。技術如“需求響應”和“交互能量將幫助我們有效地利用可再生能源發電。

　　智能電網成功的關鍵是可見性、可控性和雙向通信。這些關鍵方面的基礎是需要準確地監測能源生產和消費，以及收集分析數據。

　　Figure 1： From UK rooftop to Colorado solar farm， energy monitoring is an essential requirement. Photo credit （right）： Steve Wilcox， NREL.

　　At the heart of measuring and monitoring， the performance of energy generation and consumption is the current sensor. This article will consider a select number of typical devices to show how they can be used in smart meters and energy-monitoring systems connected to photovoltaic panels.

　　Allegro offers a range of linear Hall-Effect sensors and integrated current sensors covering a number of applications， including the output side of the PV cell inverter， and for non-intrusive measurements and monitoring alongside smart meters.

　　Analog Devices， a pioneer in electronic energy metering， offers its CN0241 high-side current-sensing circuit with input overvoltage protection plus an evaluation package.

　　Finally， the 78M6613， 78M6618， and 78M6631 AC power-monitoring SoC devices from Maxim Integrated provide an alternative approach for single- and three-phase systems， also based on current-sensing technology.