Fronius Quick guide - LGC Metering with Fronius Smart Meter and Fronius Solar.web AU Technical Article [EN]

LGC Metering with Fronius Smart Meter and
Fronius Solar.web

Measuring PV generation and creating reports for large-scale generation
certificates

Quick Guide
© Fronius Australia Pty Ltd., RJT
Version 2.0/2019

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Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3

Calculating LGC........................................................................................................................................... 3

Setup for LGC metering .............................................................................................................................. 4

Options for LGC setup: .................................................................................................................................. 4

1. Monitoring via Fronius Datamanager box ........................................................................................ 4

2. Consumption monitoring and LGC metering with Fronius ............................................................... 5

Creating reports for LGC claims via Fronius Solar.web ......................................................................... 6

Create new report .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Report configuration ...................................................................................................................................... 7

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TLEG

=

Total power generated by the power station

FSL

=

Fossil fuel component of the power generated by the power station

AUX

=

Auxiliary power consumed during the production or maintenance

MLF

=

Marginal loss factor

DLEG

=

Eligible generation = TLEG – AUX (assuming FSL = 0)

INTRODUCTION

This Quick Guide outlines how the Fronius Smart Meter and Fronius Solar.web can be used to measure PV
generation. These measurements can be used to create large-scale generation certificate (LGCs) reports for
grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems above 100KVA.

For general information on the installation and commissioning of Fronius inverters, Fronius Smart Meters and
Fronius Solar.web, please see our Fronius SnapINverter Quick Installation Guide.

CALCULATING LGC

The general formula to calculate LGC is below:

    󰇡    󰇛  󰇜󰇢

Where:

The Fronius Smart Meter measures this eligible generation data (including any auxiliary losses experienced
during the power conversion process and night-time usage) and extracts these values into a CSV file directly
from Fronius Solar.web.

To be eligible to claim 100% of the metered electricity generation (DLEG) for LGCs, both the meter and CTs
must meet a specific accuracy class and fall within a maximum allowable overall error discrepancy. These
values are specified in the NER Accuracy Rules, p. 996; S7.2.3 and vary according to the annual generation
volume per connection point.

Figure 1: NER Accuracy Rules, page 996; S7.2.3

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Activation Path:
“Consumption Path”

SETUP FOR LGC METERING

One Fronius Smart Meter can be used for either consumption monitoring or LGC metering but not both at the
same time. To simultaneously perform both actions, two meters will be needed. In this scenario, the setup and
Fronius Solar.web integration will look slightly different to Figure 3 (option 2 below).

Below, in option 1, you will find information on how the Fronius Smart Meter can be used for LGC metering via
connecting to a separate Fronius Datamanager box. Option two of this section will provide information on how
LGC metering and consumption monitoring can be archived.

Options for LGC setup:

1. Datamanager card in the inverter not used for Smart Meter + Datamanager Box for LGC monitoring

2. Datamanager connected to Smart Meter for Consumptions monitoring + Datamanager Box for LGC
monitoring

1. Monitoring via Fronius Datamanager box

The Fronius Smart Meter can also be connected to the Fronius Datamanager box via the RS485 connection.

The Fronius Datamanager box has the same Datalogger as found in the Fronius Datamanager Card 2. The
Datamanager box is a separate unit, the Datamanager Card 2 is built into all full version Fronius SnapINverters.
The Fronius Datamanager box is therefore also shown as Datalogger ID and integration within Fronius
Solar.web is the same as the integration of inverters.

Fronius Solar.web allows the creation of a separate system only for LGC data collection and the inverter e.g.
Fronius Solar LGC

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Figure 2: Fronius Smart Meter - connection via RS485

Activation Path:
“Consumption Path”

2. Consumption monitoring and LGC metering with Fronius

Due to the different installation locations for consumption monitoring and LGC metering, both features cannot
be achieved with one Fronius Smart Meter at the same time. In this scenario, two Fronius Smart Meters are
needed and must be installed at different locations. The installation location for consumption monitoring at the
feed in location, if it was to be installed with the solar supply switch on the grid side of the Fronius Smart Meter,
this would be “Consmuption Path”. The installation location for LGC metering (“LGC meter”) should always be
set in the “Consumption Path” to provide the correct LGC report data.

Figure 3: Setup - consumption meter and LGC meter

Please note: The consumption meter must be connected to the inverter and the LGC meter must be connected

to a separate Fronius Datamanager box.
Currently, two Fronius Smart Meters cannot be integrated into the same Fronius Solar.web system. This

requires the creation of two separate systems within Fronius Solar.web.

/ One system for PV production and consumption monitoring e.g. Fronius Solar Monitoring
/ One system for LGC metering e.g. Fronius Solar LGC Monitoring

Both can be created within the one Fronius Solar.web account e.g. under one email address.
The consumption meter must be connected to the inverter as the PV production values (shown in the energy

balance view) are measured by the data sent from the inverter; this data is not required for the LGC creation.
The consumption meter must be connected to the inverter, as the PV production values for the energy balance

view are measured and sent from the inverter and they are essential for the consumption calculation, and in
turn, the LGC creation.

If the distance between the consumption meter and the inverter is too far to run a cable, the same connection
can also be established via Wi-Fi and 2x RS485 to Wi-Fi converters (supplied by third party manufactures e.g.
Selectronics and Supply Partners). Please contact our Application Engineers for more information and support.

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CREATING REPORTS FOR LGC CLAIMS VIA FRONIUS SOLAR.WEB

The CSV file as shown in Figure 6 can be easily created via the new report function on Fronius Solar.web. The
steps are outlined below. Please note; you will need a Solar Web Premium account for this (currently free of
charge).

Create new report

The report function can be accessed via the reports tab on the Overview page.

Figure 4: Fronius Solar.web - Reports

Select create new report in the Reports section.

Figure 5: Fronius Solar.web - Create new report

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Report configuration

The report function offers a range of different options and values to choose from. Below are two possible
scenarios which would generate the required data and report for LGC claims.

Figure 6: Report Setup

1. Report type: Select custom report. This will provide the option to choose only the required channels
(energy from/to grid). Alternatively, you can also select energy balance, but this will include values for
PV production, consumption and consumed directly which are not required for LGC claims.

2. File format: Select CSV

3. Data source: Select either detailed values (data at five minute intervals) or daily sums (data at daily
rates).

4. Report name: Type in your desired report name

5. Generation type: Select between automatic or manual

a. Automatic: This will generate periodic data; an interval period (daily, weekly or monthly) must

be selected

b. Manual: Select the desired time range for the report

6. Channels: The options will vary slightly depending on whether automatic or manual generation type
has been selected. For LGC claims, select from the energy balance channel (see Figure 9 below).

a. Energy from grid
b. Energy to grid

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Figure 7: Energy balance options

For more information and advice, contact our Application Engineers:

/ Rod Dewar [e-mail]
/ Sebastien Ng [e-mail]

End of document

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