Ampt AMPT-GW Communications Gateway for Solar PV Converter User Manual Exhibit D Users Manual per 2 1033 b3

Ampt LLC Communications Gateway for Solar PV Converter Exhibit D Users Manual per 2 1033 b3

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AMPT GW User Manual HTML Version

Exhibit D Users Manual per 2 1033 b3



TheSPTOperatorManual

SmartPanelTechnology

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CONTENTS

Information&Disclaimer ..............................................................................................................................................5

ReadthisFirst ............................................................................................................................................................6

FCCcompliance..........................................................................................................................................................6

ImportantSafetyInformation .......................................................................................................................................7

SavetheseInstructions..............................................................................................................................................7

Markings ....................................................................................................................................................................9

Servicing.....................................................................................................................................................................9

MessagefromAmpt ....................................................................................................................................................10

WhySPT–WhygetAmpt? ..................................................................................................................................11

SmartPanelTechnologyOverview..............................................................................................................................12

Insimpleterms,theSPT: .....................................................................................................................................13

Here’showitworks: ............................................................................................................................................14

TheoryofOperation ............................................................................................................................................16

SPTFundamentals: ..............................................................................................................................................16

IntroductiontoLogicMatrix(summaryversion).................................................................................................17

Valuepropositionlist...............................................................................................................................................18

Testresults ..............................................................................................................................................................18

Internaltesting ....................................................................................................................................................18

Thirdpartyvalidation ..........................................................................................................................................18

Safetyandconveniencefeatures ............................................................................................................................19

Fullsystemdiagram.............................................................................................................................................19

Energyvspower ......................................................................................................................................................19

LCOE.....................................................................................................................................................................20

MaximumPowerPointTracking..............................................................................................................................21

GUI–graphicaluserinterface&SoftwareUserManual.........................................................................................22

Overview..............................................................................................................................................................22

Databaseandtrendanalysis...............................................................................................................................25

CompletesystemlayoutandWiringDiagram .........................................................................................................26

Communicationsystemlayout ................................................................................................................................26

DesigningyourSPTsystemsolution ....................................................................................................................27

Orderinginformation–SampleSalesOrder........................................................................................................28

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QuickInstallGuide.......................................................................................................................................................30

SPTInstallation ........................................................................................................................................................34

MechanicalmountingSPTtothePVmodule ......................................................................................................34

WiringSPTtothePVmodule...............................................................................................................................34

Completingthestringwiring ...............................................................................................................................34

HRDInstallation .......................................................................................................................................................35

MechanicalmountingtheHRD............................................................................................................................35

WiringtheHRD ....................................................................................................................................................35

Completingthehomerunwiring.........................................................................................................................35

GatewayandFieldComputer ..................................................................................................................................35

Locationdetermination .......................................................................................................................................35

Systemrequirements...............................................................................................................................................35

ACpower .............................................................................................................................................................35

InternetAccess ....................................................................................................................................................35

Mechanicalmounting ..........................................................................................................................................35

Electricalwiring....................................................................................................................................................35

SPTSystemCommissioning .........................................................................................................................................36

Mappingyoursystem ..............................................................................................................................................36

UsingtheHandHeldFC .......................................................................................................................................36

PoweruptheFC ......................................................................................................................................................36

Verifygatewayoperation ....................................................................................................................................36

TestingthesignalstrengthtotheGateway.........................................................................................................36

AccessingtheFCthroughtheinternet ................................................................................................................36

SettinguptheGUI ...................................................................................................................................................36

Definingusersandadministrativefunctions .......................................................................................................36

Choosingtheuserdefinedparameters ...............................................................................................................36

AlertThresholds...................................................................................................................................................36

Scriptchoices.......................................................................................................................................................36

Summarypage.....................................................................................................................................................36

Settingupthedatabase..........................................................................................................................................37

OperatingInstructions.................................................................................................................................................37

ReadingtheGUI.......................................................................................................................................................37

Controlfeatures.......................................................................................................................................................38

Normaloperation ....................................................................................................................................................38

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Whatyousee.......................................................................................................................................................38

Howtointerpret..................................................................................................................................................38

Howtomodify .....................................................................................................................................................38

Accessingthedatabase...........................................................................................................................................38

Sortingthedata ...................................................................................................................................................38

Definingusertemplates.......................................................................................................................................38

Interpretingalertmessages.....................................................................................................................................38

Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................................................................................39

SPToperationalissues .............................................................................................................................................39

GUIoperationalissues.............................................................................................................................................39

TechnicalData .............................................................................................................................................................40

SPTspecificationssheet...........................................................................................................................................40

SPTPhoto&MechanicalDrawing ...........................................................................................................................40

HRDspecificationssheet .........................................................................................................................................42

HRDIllustration........................................................................................................................................................42

HRDMechanicalDrawing ........................................................................................................................................42

FCspecificationssheet ............................................................................................................................................43

HandHeldFCspecificationssheet...........................................................................................................................44

GUIparametersandsystemrequirements .............................................................................................................45

TechnicalSupport ........................................................................................................................................................46

InformationRegardingtheSPT:...........................................................................................................................46

InformationRegardingthePVmodules: .............................................................................................................46

LimitedWarranty.........................................................................................................................................................47

WarrantyConditions............................................................................................................................................47

ExclusionofLiability.............................................................................................................................................47

forWarrantyReturns&InstallerReplacement:..................................................................................................47

Appendix:.....................................................................................................................................................................49

FAQ ..........................................................................................................................................................................49

InstallationMapping................................................................................................................................................49

WiringDiagrams ......................................................................................................................................................49

Orderingspareorreplacementparts ......................................................................................................................49

Returnprocedures...................................................................................................................................................49

WhitePapers ...........................................................................................................................................................49

Presentations...........................................................................................................................................................49

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INFORMATION&DISCLAIMER

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Nopartofthisdocumentmaybereproduced,retransmitted,orcopiedinanyformwithouttheexpressedand

writtenpermissionofAmpt.



Amptmakesnorepresentations,expressedorimplied,thatwithrespecttothisdocumentationoranyofthe

equipmentand/orsoftwareitmaydescribe,including(withnolimitation)anyimpliedwarrantiesofutility,

merchantability,orfitnessforanyparticularpurpose.Allsuchwarrantiesareexpresslydisclaimed.Amptshallnot

beliableforanyindirect,incidental,orconsequentialdamagesunderanycircumstances.(Theexclusionofimplied

warrantiesmaynotapplyinallcasesundersomestatutes,andthustheaboveexclusionmaynotapply.)

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Thefollowingspecificationsaresubjecttochangewithoutnotice,eventhougheveryattempthasbeenmadeto

makethisdocumentcomplete,accurateandup‐to‐date.Readersarecautioned,however,thatAmptreservesthe

righttomakechangeswithoutnoticeandshallnotberesponsibleforanydamages,includingindirect,incidental

orconsequentialdamages,causedbyrelianceonthematerialpresented,including,butnotlimitedto,omissions,

typographicalerrors,arithmeticalerrorsorlistingerrorsinthecontentmaterial.



AmptLLC

4850InnovationDrive

FortCollins,Colorado80525

Tel970‐372‐6950

www.ampt.com



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

READTHISFIRST

Thisoperatormanualcontainsalloftheinformationneededtoinstall,commission,andoperateanAmptSPT

distributedpowerconversiondevicewithinagrid‐tiedphotovoltaic(PV)installation.



Tohelpavoidproblemsduringthesysteminstallation,familiarizeyourselfinadvance,withtheinstallationprocess

byreadingtheentireInstallationGuidebeforestartingtheinstallation.



Bealert!ThereareextremelydangerousandlethalvoltagespresentatvariouspointsinaPVsystem.For

safetyreasons,itisrecommendedthatonlyqualifiedpersonnelinstallandoperatethisequipment.



FCCCOMPLIANCE



AmptSPT‐ThisequipmenthasbeencertifiedascompliantwiththelimitsforaClassBdigitaldevice,pursuantto

Part15oftheFCCRules.Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonableprotectionagainstharmfulinterference

inaresidentialinstallation.Thisequipmentgenerates,uses,andcanradiateradiofrequencyenergyandifnot

installedandusedinaccordancewiththeinstructions,maycauseharmfulinterferencetoradiocommunications.

However,thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccurinaparticularinstallation.



TheuseriscautionedthatchangesormodificationsnotexpresslyapprovedbyAmptLLC.couldvoidtheuser’s

authoritytooperatethisequipment.



***

AmptSPTFCCID#XLQ31570001

SPTModelNumber:31570001



ThislabelisfoundoneachAmptSPTenclosure.

Theboxistwopiecesandisnotmeanttobeuserservicedoropenedinanyway.



***

AmptGatewayFCCID#

GatewayModelNumber:31570002



ThislabelisfoundoneachAmptGatewayenclosure.

Theboxissmallerthanpalmsize,thusthefollowingtextisonlyprintedhere:

Thisdevicecomplieswithpart15oftheFCCrules.Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwo

conditions:(1)thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterference,and(2)thisdevicemustaccept

anyinterferencereceived,includinginterferencethatmaycauseundesiredoperation.

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Theboxistwopiecesandisnotmeanttobeuserservicedoropenedinanyway.



***

IMPORTANTSAFETYINFORMATION



SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS



ThismanualcontainsimportantinstructionsfortheAmptSPTdistributedpowerconversiondevicethatshallbe

followedduringinstallationandmaintenanceofthemoduleandaffiliatedhardwareandsoftware.TheSPThas

beendesignedandtestedaccordingtointernationalsafetyrequirements,butrequirescertainprecautionsare

observedwheninstallingand/oroperatingtheAmptSPTproduct.Toreducetheriskofpersonalinjuryandto

ensurethesafeinstallationandoperationoftheSPT,pleasebesureyoucarefullyreadandfollowallinstructions,

cautionsandwarningsinthisoperatormanual.



Warnings

AWarningidentifiesahazardtoequipmentorpersonnel.Itcallsattentiontoaprocedureorpractice,which,ifnot

correctlyperformed,couldresultindamagetoordestructionofpartoralloftheAmptequipmentand/orother

equipmentconnectedtotheAmptequipmentorpersonalinjury.

DANGERindicatesahazardoussituationwhich,ifnotavoided,willresultindeathorserious

injury.



WARNINGindicatesahazardoussituationwhich,ifnotavoided,couldresultindeathor

seriousinjury.



CAUTIONindicatesahazardoussituationwhich,ifnotavoided,couldresultinminoror

moderateinjury.



NOTICEindicatesasituationthatcanresultinpropertydamageifnotavoided.



InadditiontothesafetyandhazardsymbolsthefollowingisalsousedinthisOperatorManual:



Information‐Thissymbolaccompaniesnotesthatcallattentiontosupplementaryinformation

thatyoushouldknowandusetoensureoptimaloperationoftheAmptsystem.



GeneralWarnings:



AllelectricalinstallationsmustbedoneinaccordancewiththelocalandNationalElectrical

CodeANSI/NFPA70.



TheAmptproductcontainsnouser‐serviceableparts.Forallrepairandmaintenancealways

returntheunittoanauthorizedAmptServiceCenter.BeforeinstallingorusingtheAmptSPT,

readalloftheinstructions,cautions,andwarningsontheSPT,thePVarray,inthisInstallation

Page8of49

Guide.BeforeconnectingtheSPTtotheelectricalutilitygrid,contactthelocalutility

company.Thisconnectionmustbemadeonlybyqualifiedpersonnel.PVarraysproduce

electricalenergywhenexposedtolightandthuscancreateanelectricalshockhazard.

WiringofthePV‐arraysshouldonlybeperformedbyqualifiedpersonnel.

Page9of49



MARKINGS



SERVICING



Warnings:

1. Whenthephotovoltaic(PV)arrayisexposedtolight,itproducesaDCvoltage,andtheAmptequipmentis

energized.

2. Servicinginstructionsareforusebyqualifiedpersonnelonly.Toreducetheriskofelectricshock,donot

performanyservicingotherthanthatspecifiedintheseOperatingInstructions.

3. TheinstallationofAmptequipmentrequiresfollowingtheNationalElectricalCode(ANSI/NFPA70)wiring

methods.

4. CAUTION:Toreducetheriskoffire,connecttheoutputsoftheAmptEquipmentonlytoconductorswith

aminimumampacityof9.4ampereswhende‐ratedfortemperatureandconduitfill.Over‐current

protectiondevicesandconductorsshallbesizedinaccordancewiththeNationalElectricalCode

(ANSI/NFPA70).

5. AmptrequiresovercurrentprotectionfortheDCoutputcircuitintheinstallation.

6. AmptrecommendsthatadisconnectswitchbeincludedintheinstallationfortheDCinputandDCoutput

circuitasrequiredbythelocalauthorities.

Page10of49

7. 

MESSAGEFROMAMPT



ThefirstproductsthatAmptisintroducingarearesultoflookingatrequirementstorealizemaximumenergyat

thelowestcost–fromasystemlevelperspective.

Thisinitialpremiseisthatthemaximumenergycannotbeharvestedfullywithouttherightgranularity.Webelieve

thatthisrequirespowerconversiontobedoneatthemodulelevel.Ourcustomersrequireminimallostharvest

fromlocalsoiling,shading,orpanelimbalance–sowithregardstolocalpowerconversion,thereisnomore

suitableeconomicalternative.

Webelievethatthepowerconversionhastobeextremelyefficientoveraverywiderange–soourproductsare

over99%efficientovergreaterthan3:1inputrange.Toputthatintocontext,theAmptSPTconsumesonly,upto

2Woftheenergygeneratedbya200Wmodule–relativelyspeakingthatisthesamelossasexpectedfromenergy

travelingthrough3feetofconventionalwirecabling.

WebelievethathighspeedMPPisverycriticaltomaximizeharvest–wehaveover99.9%accurateMPPin100

milliseconds.Therefore,wecancapturethepowergainfromtheedgeofacloudandtherefractedirradiationona

module.

Webelievethatmaximizingthenumberofmodulesperstringisimportant.TheAmptproductisdynamically

controlled,andwecancommunicatewirelesslytoourfieldadaptablefirmware.

Webelievethatreliabilityisahugedriveofeconomics–sowehaveanenvironmentallyvalidated(not

superficiallymodeled)1000yearMTBF.

Webelievethathighaccuracyandstableinstrumentationcombinedwithrobustcommunicationiscrucialfor

large‐scalearraysandbeneficialforallsmallerarrays.Itlowersinstallationcosts,andradicallyreducesO&Mwhile

maximizingtheeconomicsofharvesting.Wehaveabetterthan1%fieldcalibrate‐ablemeasurementsystemthat

includesmultiplechannelsofcriticalelectricalandtemperatureparameters,aswellasidentityinformation–per

module.

Webelievethatcommunicationaloneisn’tsufficient.Theseapplicationsneedscalabilityandrobustnessthatdoes

notdependonproblematicconnections.Wedesignedahighlyrobustwirelesssystem.

Webelievethatifthesystemisdesignedwiththerightgranularity,withtherightcomponents,withtheright

interfacesandtherightarchitecturethatitbecomesunlimitedinitsabilitytooperateatanyscale.Wehave

designedthissystemtoallowscalingfromonemoduletoaboveamillionmodules.

ThankyouforContinuedSupport–welookforwardtoworkingwithyou!

WeareAmpt.



Page11of49



WHYSPT–WHYGETAMPT?



Whatismaximumpower?

Isitdefinedbytheenergyoutputoftheweakestmoduleinastring,

orthecombinedoutputofeverysinglemoduleoneverystring?

Isitdefinedbyanalyzingenergyharvesteachdayatonesite,

oreverysecondoneverypanelatonemillionsites?

Isitdefinedbythemonitoringofinformationwithinanarray,

orthecommunicationofknowledgethatleadstoimprovedperformancewithineverymodule?

Byansweringwhatnooneelsehasevenyetasked,Amptisnotjustincreasingenergy,

buthelpingyoutorealizeenergyyouneverknewpossible.



Congratulationsonputtingtheabsolutebestcommunicationsandpowerconversionequipment

availableonyourPVsystem!



Page12of49



SMARTPANELTECHNOLOGYOVERVIEW



AmpthasdevelopedSmartPanelTechnologyTM‐SPT‐astheoptimalsolutionforenergyharvestingfromanyPV

system.

ThefirstimplementationofAmptSPTisinastandalonedevicethatisplacedindirectconnectionwiththePV

moduletodeliverMPPT(MaximumPowerPointTracking)whichistheharvestedenergy.ConventionalPVsystems

havesolarmodulesseriesconnected,andaretherebylimitedbytheweakestmoduleinthestring.Thesestrings

arewiredtoabulkDC‐ACinverterwhichusesalgorithmstoattemptamaximumharvestgiventhepotentialfrom

eachstring.



Page13of49



TheAmptSPTputstheMPPTlogicwhereitbelongs,oneachsolarmodule,andallowseachmoduletoproduceits

maximumpower.TheneachSPTdevicecombinestoprovidethebulkinverterwithitshighestefficiencyinput

power.Theresult:thehighestenergyfromeachmodule,operatingwiththehighestefficiencyofthebulkinverter.

INSIMPLETERMS,THESPT:

 ReceivesthepowerfromthemoduleatitsMaximumPowerPointTracking(MPPT)regardlessof

normalorproblematicoperatingconditions

 DeliversmoduleMPPTpowerintoanyimpedancedeterminedbytheremainderofthestringandthe

inverter

 Solvestheproblemofhavingpanels(currentsources)inseriesbeinglimitedbytheweakestpanelin

thestring‐improvesstringsightingoptions

 Ensureseverypanelproduceswhateveritcanregardlessoftheremainderofthesystem

 Allowstheinvertertooperateatitshighestefficiencypoint

 Provideswirelesscommunicationoneachmodule,reportingmorethanjustpanelvoltage,current

andtemperature.Additionalinformationisresidentsuchasmoduleserialnumberand

manufacturinginformation

 Wirelesscommunicationalsoprovidesdiagnosticinformationformaintenance,andthroughradio

commandstheoutputcanbeturnedon/off



Page14of49



HERE’SHOWITWORKS:

EachsolarmodulewillhaveadedicatedAmptSPTdeviceconnectedtothemoduleoutputs.TheAmptSPTdevices

thenareconnectedinseriestoeachotherandwillmakeupa“string”ofmodules.Eachstringisthencombinedin

paralleltoconnectwiththebulkinverter(intoday’sconventionalarray).

WhensolarraysareabsorbedbythePVmodule,energyisproduced.TheSPTmaximizestheharvestableenergy

fromeachPVmodule,andconvertsittoausefuloutputthatisthendeliveredtothestring(regardlessofthe

environmentaloroperationalconditionsaffectingthatparticularpanel).Thestringsarethencombinedasanarray

anddeliveredtothebulkinverteratitspre‐determinedimpedancerequirement.Itisimportanttonotethatthe

conventionalbulkinverterdynamicallyissearchingforMPPT(maximumpowerpointtracking),andmaychangeits

impedancerequirementsevery4+seconds.TheAmptSPThoweverisadjustingitsMPPT8timespersecondto

againmaximizetheharvestableenergyproducedoneachPVmodule.

InconventionalPVinstallations(withouttheAmptSPT),withseriesconnectedmodules,oneweaklinkinastring

causessignificantenergyharvestdegradation,andwilllowertheproducedpowerproduced.Ifthereissufficient

obstructiontotheamountofsolarinsolationabsorbedbyasinglemodule(oroverseveralmodules),itispossible

thattheentirestringcollapses(electrically),andnetszeropoweroutput.

TheAmptSPTsolvesthisproblembymaximizingthepowerharvestateachmoduleregardlessoftheconditions,

andconvertsthattoaviableoutputtherebyeliminatingtheweakestlinkphenomenon.WithAmptSPT,evenalow

powerproducingmoduleisvaluable,andcontributestothenetpowergenerated.

Ofcourse,ifthemoduleisdamagedorobstructedtothepointwhereitsinternalcircuitcannotproducepower,

AmptSPTcannotcorrectthiscondition.Withthewirelesscommunicationlinkthough,theowneroperatorcan

identifythiscondition,andmakethenecessarycorrections.Inthemeantimethough,thebalanceofthestringis

stilloperationalandgeneratingasmuchpowerasrequiredbythebulkinverter.

EachSPTisaccessiblebyahostcomputerthroughawirelessAND“gateway”interface.Thisgatewayallowsthe

owner/operatortospeakspecificallytoeachSPT,andprovidesabi‐directionalwirelesscommunicationlinkwhich

isthevehicleforcommand/controlanddataacquisition.

TheANDGUI(graphicaluserinterface)isthenutilizedtoobservetheperformanceandcontroltheSPToperations.

ExamplesofthisGUIareshownbelow:



Page15of49



TheGUIhasalotofdatapresentedandwilllikelychangeforincreasedusability,butatpresentdemonstratesthe

kindofinteractionandreportingavailable.

Asyoucansee,eachmodule(andcorrespondingSPT)ismappedoutpertheirinstalledlocation.Note:eachSPTis

barcoded,andduringthefieldcommissioningprocess,abarcodescannercanbeutilizedtologicallymapoutthe

organizationofmodules.ItisalsopossiblethatthebarcodereadercaninterfacetotheSPTthroughaseparate

gateway,andtherebycontrolitson/offstateforfieldpersonnelsafety.

That’sit.Withasimpleinstallation,theAmptSPTproductsoperateimmediatelyandautomaticallyenhancethe

powergeneratedbythePVinstallation.Ongoingmonitoringandcommandcontrolfeaturesareavailabletothe

owneroperation,butregularinteractionisnotrequiredtogetmaximumpower.

Page16of49

THEORYOFOPERATION



SPTFUNDAMENTALS:



• TheSPTmoduleputsMPPwhereitbelongs,oneverypanel,andproducesthemaximumpowerthatis

availableregardlessofpanelcondition,andregardlessoftheremainderofthesystem.Ifthereispartial

shade,dirtorpanelimbalance,everypanelstillputsoutitsmaximumpower.

• TheSPTmodulereceivesthepowerfromthepanelatMPP.Itdeliversthepowertoanyimpedance

determinedbytheremainderofthestringandtheinverter.Thissolvestheproblemofhavingpanels(current

sources)inseriesbeinglimitedbytheweakestpanelinthestring.

• TheconventionalbulkpowerinvertermayimpressanyvoltageitwantsandbecausetheSPTisdeployedasa

localizedDC‐DCconverter,thepanelfieldwillsimplyoutputMPPfromeverypanel.Thisallowstheinverterto

operateatitshighestefficiencypoint.

• Goingforward,SPTbasedinstallationscanenablebetterbulkinverterdesignsthatdeliverhigherefficiency,

greaterreliability,smallerandlighterastheywouldnolongerberequiredtoincludeanMPPstage.

• OneofthemostsignificantelementsoftheSPTistheinherentwirelesscommunicationscapabilities,which

enablesinstantaneouscommunicationandcontrol.Theradioandubiquitouswirelessmeshnetworkformed

bySPTmoduleswillnotonlyreportpanelvoltage,currentandtemperature,butalsoprovideoperational

benefitsbytogglingthepaneloutputsonandoff.

• Otherinformationcouldalsoresidetheresuchasserialnumberandmanufacturinginformation.

• Thewirelessradiowillalsoprovidediagnosticinformationformaintenanceandtrendanalysisthusallowing

intelligentdecisionsonwhatrequiresserviceandwhen.



TheAmpt SPTisdesignedtomitigateirregularities

betweenthemodulesinanarrayandthebulk

inverter.Specifically,theSPTcanfixitsoutputto

matchtheoptimalinverterinputvoltageand

broadentheperformancerangeofconventional

PVmodules&invertercombinations.Byproviding

localizedDC‐DCconversionalongwithwireless

communication,theSPTenablesinstantaneous

controlandfeedbacktothesystemandthereby

maximizesenergyharvesting.

Page17of49



INTRODUCTIONTOLOGICMATRIX(SUMMARYVERSION)

Page18of49

VALUEPROPOSITIONLIST



 Temperaturecoefficientpowerlosses‐TemperatureEffect/FillFactorManagement

 Panelobstruction/shading(leaf/snow/haze/birdgifts)‐Dynamicstringadjustmenttocapitalizeon

unbalancedpanelproduction

 Panelpowervariation(mismatch/aging/broken/defect)‐diverseutilizationandimbalancecorrection

 Installedefficiency(placement/wiring/opens)‐MoreKWhr/KWproduction(12‐15%moreharvesting)

 Bi‐polarbalancing‐+/‐operationsforAdvancedEnergyInverterapplications

 VariableInverteroperatingalgorithmsandefficiency–deliversMPPTtoinverterhighestpointof

efficiency

 Improvesstringsightingoptions(notsoPOAlimited)

 Conventionalinverterlimitations‐Greatercompatibilitybetweenconventionalinvertersandallmodule

types(fromC‐SI,througha‐SI,CDTe,CIGSandfuturedesigns)

 Realtimecommandandcontrol‐WirelessCommunicationsSystem&Diagnostics–nolongerrelianton

dispatchedanalysisanderrorcorrection

 ImprovesSafety‐enablinginstantaneouson/offcyclingfortheentireSystem/atargetedString/or

individualPanelModule

 EnablesSoftstartforsomeinvertertypes



TESTRESULTS

INTERNALTESTING



1. 90MhoursDemonstratedMTBF@40°Ccontinuous



Note:InitiallyAmptcalculatedMTBF,however,thedemonstratedperformanceisabetterindicator

ofarchitecturalperformance.



(MBTFof90Mhrsmeansafailurerateof0.01%PER25YEARS(warrantyperiod)assuming10hours

ofoperationperdayat40Cambient).

THIRDPARTYVALIDATION



1. Sandia

2. SWTDI(NMSU) ???

3. BEW ???

Testreportswillbemadeavailableuponrequest



Page19of49

SAFETYANDCONVENIENCEFEATURES



Currently,oneproblemfacinginstallersandmaintenanceprovidersofPVSystemsissafety.Sinceconventionally,

allpanelsareconnectedinseriesandinstallationandmaintenanceworkisdoneduringperiodsofirradiance,the

voltageacrossthepanelsmightreachdangerouslevelsexposingfieldpersonneltoarealdangerofelectrocution.

Amptprovidesa“convenience”modewhichsupportsan“on/off”modeofoperation.Thismodeofoperation

essentiallyenablesordisablestheSPToutputandcanfacilitatesysteminstaller/operatorsduringinstallation,

diagnostics,andmaintenancetasks.Itisimportanttorecognizethatthisisaelectricalcircuitlogicchangeandis

nottobeconfusedwithahardswitch.Thisconveniencefeatureisdesignedtoenhancetheprotectionofmodule

handlers,includingtheinstaller,maintenanceproviderandpotentiallyemergencypersonnel(ie.Fire

Department)."

FULLSYSTEMDIAGRAM



ENERGYVSPOWER

Energyisthecapacityofasystemtodowork.

Poweristherateofdoingwork.



Page20of49

LCOE



Page21of49



MAXIMUMPOWERPOINTTRACKING



Page22of49



GUI–GRAPHICALUSERINTERFACE&SOFTWAREUSERMANUAL



OVERVIEW

TheAmptsoftwareisawebbasedmanagementapplicationforviewingthereal‐timeperformanceand

managementofyoursolarinstallationatthearray,string,andmodulelevel.

INTRODUCTION:

TherearetwoviewsavailableformanagingyourSolarArray;summaryandstringview.TheSummaryview

providesanoverviewofthestateofthesolararray.ItincludescurrentDCenergyoutputinWatts,Volts,and

Amps,powerbystring,SPTstatus,andestimatedACPower.

TheStringviewprovidesdetailedinformationontheperformanceofeachSPT.Itprovidesperformance

informationatthestringlevel;DCenergyoutputinWatts,Volts,andAmps.Bothviewsautomaticallyrefresh

aboutevery15seconds.

DETAILS

SUMMARYVIEW

TheSummarypage(figure1)presentsinformationatthearraylevel.Thebuttonacrossthetop“Lock/Unlock

WholeStation”allowsyoutodisablecommandstothesystem.Thisisusefulasasafetyprecautionwhenservicing

thestation.Totherightisthetimetheinformationyourviewingwaslastupdated.Thisisbasedonyourlocal

computer’stime.Thestringsareorganizedaroundthephysicalandlogicallayoutascloselyaspossibleandlistthe

statusofthemodule,onoroff,andstatusoftheMaximizePowerPointfeature,MPP,onoroff.Clickingonthe

stringandmoduleareawilltakeyoutotheStringView.

Belowthestringandmoduleareaisabarchartshowingthepoweroutputforeachstringinthearray.Thepower

outputdetailsforthearrayareshownontherightedge;includingestimatedkWhours.Atthebottomisagraph

ofEnergy,powerandtemperature.Thescaleforthetemperatureislistedontherightedgeofthegraph.Youcan

positionyourmouseoverthelinestoseethetimeandvalueofthemeasurement.Thetimescaleofthegraphcan

bechangedusingthecontrolstotherightofthegraph.Youcanchangethetimeintervalaswellasgobackand

forwardtimeperiods.

Page23of49



FIGURE1

STRINGVIEW

SimilartotheSummaryview,thestringsareorganizedaroundthephysicalandlogicallayoutascloselyaspossible.

InStringviewthestatusofthemoduleisshownindetail.There’salegendonthenextpagethatcoversthe

meaningofdifferentbackgroundcolors.

 MaxPower–MaximumpoweroutputfromSolarModulewithSPTTechnology

 Vmp‐IN–VoltageoutputfromSPTModule

 I‐Out–AmpsoutputfromSPTModule

 V‐Out–SolarModulevoltageoutput

 Temp–TemperatureinsidetheSPTModule

 OverV–OverVoltagesettingforSPTModule

 ModON–SPTModulestatus(on/off)

 MppON–MaximizePowerPointTechnologystatus(on/off)

 ID–UniqueidentifierfortheSPTModule

Page24of49



FIGURE2

TotherightofthestringlayoutisPoweroutputdetailsforeachstring;Power,Voltage,Current,andEnergy.There

aremultiplecontrolsonthefarrightedge.

 SetOverV–SetOverVoltagelimitforalltheSPTModules.

 ON–TurnstheSPTModuleonallowingcurrentandvoltagetopassthroughdevice.

 OFF‐TurnstheSPTModuleoffblockingcurrentandvoltageoutput.

 WARNING***Moduleisstillproducingvoltageandlookingforapathwaytoground.***

 MPPON–EnabletheMaximizePowerPointfeatureoftheSPTModule

 MPPOFF–DisabletheMaximizePowerPointfeatureoftheSPTModule

 DownloadDbData–Downloadthedatathatiscurrentlybeingviewedinthegraphatthebottom.

GUILEGEND

TheSPTmodulebackgroundcolorvariesbasedonthepoweroutputofthemodule.



Page25of49

0to39.9W40to79.980to119.9W120To159.9WOver160W

AreddishbackgroundmeansSPTisnottalkingtothegatewayandfieldcomputer.

Ie.Nodataisbeingcapturedforthatmodule.



BrownindicatesthatamodulepositionisreservedGUIbutnoSPTinstalled.



DATABASEANDTRENDANALYSIS



Page26of49



COMPLETESYSTEMLAYOUTANDWIRINGDIAGRAM



COMMUNICATIONSYSTEMLAYOUT

Page27of49



DESIGNINGYOURSPTSYSTEMSOLUTION



Page28of49



ORDERINGINFORMATION–SAMPLESALESORDER



Page29of49

Page30of49



QUICKINSTALLGUIDE

Forthosewhoalreadyknowthebasicsandjustwanttogetgoing.

INSTALLATIONSEQUENCEOFEVENTS

1. Unpackingandinspection

2. Propersystemgroundingpriortoinstallation

3. Installationofthefieldcomputer

a. Mounting

b. ACPower

c. InternetconnectionviaEthernet

d. ConnectiontotheGateway

e. Connectiontoalaptop

4. SPTmountingandmechanical

a. Mountingchoices

i. Planeofarray

ii. Perpendiculartoplaneofarray

iii. Other

b. InstallingtheSPTtothebracket

c. Installingthebrackettothemountingstructure

i. Hardwareandtorques

ii. Grounding

d. Usingthehandhelddevicetorecordserialnumbers

5. HRDmountingandmechanical

6. Electricalconnectionsandcommunicationwithhandheld

a. ProperconnectionwithMCconnectors

b. ModuletoSPT

i. Establishingcontactwiththehandhelddevice

ii. TurningontheSPT

iii. Measuringmodulecharacteristics

iv. TurningofftheSPT

c. SPTtoSPTCabling

d. SPTtoHRDbox

e. Cablehandlingandsecuring

7. GraphicalUserInterface



UNPACKINGANDINSPECTION



CarefullyunpackandinspecteachSPT,HRDandcablefordamage.

Inspecteachfieldcomputerfordamage

InspecteachMCconnectorbeforemakinganyelectricalconnections.Properconnectorsshouldbeclean

andfreefromdamage.Insertpictureshere.

Page31of49



PROPERSYSTEMGROUNDING



INSTALLATIONOFTHEFIELDCOMPUTER



a. Mounting

b. ACPower

c. InternetconnectionviaEthernet

d. ConnectiontotheGateway

e. Connectiontoalaptop



SPTMOUNTINGANDMECHANICAL

MountandgroundrackingorsupportstructureperNECArticle690andmanufacturer’sinstructions.

EnsurethatsupportstructureisgroundedbeforemountingmodulesorSPTs



Planning

UseonlystainlesssteelfastenerstosecuretheSPTbrackettothemountingstructure

Chooseflatbracketsor“L”bracketsfortheinstallation.

InserttheSPTinthebracketbypushinguntilthepushpinholesalign

Installmountingpushpins

PlantomountSPTatleastoneinch(2.5cm)fromthebackofthemodulesurfacetoallowforadequate

coolingairflow.

PlantomountSPT,modulecables,andSPTconnectioncablinginalocationthatwillnotbesubjectto

physicaldamage,andwillnotbesubjecttosnoworotherdebrisslides.(reword)



Mountingintorailswith3/8or1/4slots

Page32of49

Ifmountingtoastructurewithrailslots,insert3/8or1/4inchhardwareintherailslotbeforemodulesor

“L”feetorstanchionsaresecured.EachSPTrequirestwobolts,twonuts,twoflatwashers,andtwolock

washers.Whizznutsarenotrecommendedasthegalvanizedcoatingofthebracketmaybecompromised.

Secureeachbracket,makingsurethateachlockwasherisfullycompressed.Torque3/8inchfastenersto

XXXinch‐poundsand1/4inchfastenerstoYYYinch‐pounds.



Mountingintorailsorbraceswithoutslots

Checkwithrackingormodulesupportmanufacturerforsuggestedmountingprocedure.

Checkwithalocalstructuralengineerand/ortherackingmanufacturerifanymodificationstothe

structure(ie.Drillingholes)

Usethebracketasaguideforanypre‐drilledholes.

Insert3/8or¼inchhardwareintherailslot.EachSPTrequirestwobolts,twonuts,twoflatwashers,and

twolockwashers.Whizznutsarenotrecommendedasthegalvanizedcoatingofthebracketmaybe

compromised.

Secureeachbracket,makingsurethateachlockwasherisfullycompressed.Torque3/8inchfastenersto

XXXinch‐poundsand¼inchfastenerstoYYYinch‐pounds.



HRDMountingandMechanical



Electricalconnectionsandcommunicationwithhandheld



Mountandgroundmodulepermodulemanufacturer’sinstructions.

ConnectthemoduleleadstotheSPT

InspectMCconnectorforwatertightseal

Establishcommunicationwiththehandheldunit.

PlaceSPTin“On”mode.

Page33of49

CheckmoduleVocfortemperatureandirradianceadjustedvaluefrommodulenameplatereading.

PlaceSPTin“Off”mode

RepeatfornextSPT’sinstring

ConnectSPT‐SPTcable.

SecuremoduleandSPT‐SPTcablestosupportstructureormoduleframewithUVratedwiretiesand/or

stainlesssteelclipsorstrainrelief



f. MounteachSPTaseachmoduleisinstalled.ModulesperformancemaybetestedwiththeSPTas

eachmoduleisinstalled.

g. ChoosetomounttheSPT’seitherparallel,perpendicular,orinafashionthattakesadvantageofthe

modulesupportstructure.TheSPTissuppliedwithaflatandan“L”shapedbracket.Bracketshave

3/8”and¼”pre‐drilledtotheplaneofthearray.

h. 

i. Mountingchoices

i. Planeofarray

ii. Perpendiculartoplaneofarray

iii. Other

j. InstallingtheSPTtothebracket

k. Installingthebrackettothemountingstructure

i. Hardwareandtorques

ii. Grounding

Page34of49



SPTINSTALLATION

MECHANICALMOUNTINGSPTTOTHEPVMODULE



RACKINGSYSTEMS

MOUNTINGDIRECTLY

USINGFLATORLPLATE



WIRINGSPTTOTHEPVMODULE



COMPLETINGTHESTRINGWIRING

Page35of49



HRDINSTALLATION

MECHANICALMOUNTINGTHEHRD



WIRINGTHEHRD



COMPLETINGTHEHOMERUNWIRING

GATEWAYANDFIELDCOMPUTER

LOCATIONDETERMINATION



SYSTEMREQUIREMENTS

ACPOWER

INTERNETACCESS

MECHANICALMOUNTING

ELECTRICALWIRING

Page36of49



SPTSYSTEMCOMMISSIONING

MAPPINGYOURSYSTEM

USINGTHEHANDHELDFC

POWERUPANDDOWN

READINGTHEDISPLAY

TURNINGMODULESONANDOFF

RECORDINGSERIALNUMBERS

DOWNLOADINGDATA

POWERUPTHEFC

VERIFYGATEWAYOPERATION

TESTINGTHESIGNALSTRENGTHTOTHEGATEWAY

ACCESSINGTHEFCTHROUGHTHEINTERNET

SETTINGUPTHEGUI

DEFININGUSERSANDADMINISTRATIVEFUNCTIONS

CHOOSINGTHEUSERDEFINEDPARAMETERS

ALERTTHRESHOLDS

SCRIPTCHOICES

INSTALLATIONMODE

COMMERCIALOPERATIONMODE

RESIDENTIALOPERATIONMODE

UTILITYOPERATIONMODE

MAINTENANCEMODE

SUMMARYPAGE

MAPPINGOUTYOURARRAY

CROSSCHECKINGYOURMODULEPOSITIONS

Page37of49

SETTINGUPTHEDATABASE

OPERATINGINSTRUCTIONS

READINGTHEGUI



Page38of49



CONTROLFEATURES

NORMALOPERATION

WHATYOUSEE

HOWTOINTERPRET

HOWTOMODIFY

ACCESSINGTHEDATABASE

SORTINGTHEDATA

DEFININGUSERTEMPLATES

INTERPRETINGALERTMESSAGES

Page39of49



TROUBLESHOOTING

SPTOPERATIONALISSUES

GUIOPERATIONALISSUES

Page40of49



TECHNICALDATA

SPTSPECIFICATIONSSHEET



SPTPHOTO&MECHANICALDRAWING



Page41of49



Page42of49

HRDSPECIFICATIONSSHEET



HRDILLUSTRATION



HRDMECHANICALDRAWING



Page43of49

FCSPECIFICATIONSSHEET



ManufacturedbyDMPElectronicsInc

 ModeleBox‐3300

 CPUMSTIPDX‐600(1GHz)

 MemoryOnboard256MBDDR2

 GraphicsXGIZ9swith32MBDDR2

 External15‐pinD‐typefemaleVGAconnector

 EthernetIntegrated10/100MbpsLAN

 Built‐inPXEdisklessbootfunction

 2ndEthernetchipRealtekRTL8100B10/100

 Base‐TEthernet(optional)

 I/O44pinIDEx1

 MicroSDx1

 CFSlotx1

 USBPortx3(2infront)

 RJ‐45x1

 PS/2x1Keyboard/Mouseshared

 MiniPCISocketx1(optional)

 RS232x2(optional)

 AudioMicinandLineout

 Power+5V@2A(10W)

 Dimensions115x115x35mm

 Weight505g

Page44of49



HANDHELDFCSPECIFICATIONSSHEET

ManufacturedbyMotorola

PhysicalCharacteristics

 Dimensions:6in.Lx3.3in.Wx1.7inD(15.24cmLx8.4cmWx4.4cmD)

 Weight(includingStandard1.5Xbattery:14.9oz./422g)

 Display:Transflectivecolor640x4803.5”fullVGAwithbacklight

 TouchPanel:Glassanalogresistivetouch

 Backlight:LEDbacklight

 MainBattery:RechargeableLithiumIon3.7V,3600mAhSmartBattery

 ExpansionSlot:microSDslot(maximum2GB)

 NetworkConnections:Ethernet(viacradle);full‐speedUSB,hostorclient

 Notification:VibratorandLED

 KeypadOptions:26‐keyNumeric;44‐keyQWERTY

 Audio:Speaker,receiver,microphone,headsetjack

PerformanceCharacteristics

 CPU:XScale™PXA270624MHzprocessor

 OperatingSystem:Microsoft®WindowsMobile®6.0

 Memory:128MBRAM;256MBFlash

 Interface:RS‐232,USB1.1

UserEnvironment

 OperatingTemperature:14°Fto122°F/‐10°Cto50°C

 StorageTemperature:‐40°Fto140°F/‐40°Cto60°C(w/obattery)

 Humidity:95%non‐condensing

 DropSpecification:5ft.droptoconcrete,atambienttemperature73°F/23°C;

 Sealing:IP54

 IrDA:Integrated

 Clock:Integratedrealtimeclock

Baselinefeatures:

 EachHandHeldComputerwillbecapableofcommunicatingwiththeSPT/IJBandFieldComputer

throughouttheexpected20yearsinatypicalinstallationlifetime

 WWANRadio:GSM:3GHSDPA;CDMA:EVDORevA

 GPS:IntegratedAssisted‐GPS(A‐GPS)

 WLANRadio:Tri‐modeIEEE®802.11a/b/g

 ColorCameraResolution:2megapixel

Page45of49

 ElectricalSafety:CertifiedtoUL/cUL60950‐1,IEC/EN60950‐1

 FCCClassBEMICertified

 Environmental:RoHS‐compliant

GUIPARAMETERSANDSYSTEMREQUIREMENTS

Page46of49



TECHNICALSUPPORT

BychoosinganAmptproduct,youhavealsochosencomprehensivetechnicalsupport&service.Inordertoattend

toyourneedsinasflexibleamanneraspossible,weofferyouthefollowingservices:

 TheAmptTechnicalSupport&ServicePhoneHotline:970‐372‐6947

 Replacementservice:970‐372‐6950

 On‐siteservice:970‐372‐6950

 Comprehensivewarrantyprogram



Withthisofferyouenjoyadefinitiveadvantage:Amptsupportsyoufromtheinitialplanningphaseonward–and,

ofcourse,duringtheentireoperatingtimeofthePVsystem.

InordertobetterassistyouwhencontactingAmpt,pleaseprovidethefollowinginformation.Thisinformationis

requiredforserviceassistance.

INFORMATIONREGARDINGTHESPT:

 Serialnumber

 ModelNumber

 Shortdescriptionoftheproblem

 BlinkingCodeordisplaymessage

 WhaterrorcodeisindicatedviatheAmptGUI?

 DClinevoltage

 Canyoureproducethefailure?Ifyes,how?

 Hasthisproblemoccurredinthepast?

 Whatweretheambientconditionswhentheproblemoccurred?

INFORMATIONREGARDINGTHEPVMODULES:

• ManufacturernameandmodelnumberofthePVmodule

• Outputpowerofthemodule

• Opencircuitvoltage(Voc)ofthemodule

• Numberofmodulesineachstring

Page47of49



LIMITEDWARRANTY

TheAmptSPTiswarrantedagainstdefectsinworkmanshipandmaterialsforaperiodof1yearfromdateof

shipment,providedthattheproductremainsunmodifiedandisoperatedundernormalandproperconditions.

TheAmptSPT25yearoperationalwarrantycoversanyrepairorreplacementpartcostsincurredduringtheagreed

period,beginningonthedevice’spurchasedate,subjecttotheconditionslistedbelow.

WARRANTYCONDITIONS



IfanAmptSPTdevicebecomesdefectiveduringthe25yearAmptwarrantyperiod,oneofthefollowingservices,

asselectedbyAmpt,willbeperformedatnochargeformaterialsorlaborcosts:

RepairatAmpt,or

RepairOn‐Site,or

ExchangeforaReplacementDevice

Inthecaseofanexchange,theremainderofthewarrantyeligibilitywillbetransferredtothereplacementdevice.

Amptgenerallywillprovideanequivalentreplacementdevice,packagedappropriatelyfortransport,within48

hours.ThedefectivedeviceistobepackedinthistransportpackagingforreturntransporttoAmpt.

EXCLUSIONOFLIABILITY

Warrantyclaimsandliabilityfordirectorindirectdamageareexcludedifarisingfrom:

 TransportDamage,

 IncorrectInstallationorCommissioning,

 failuretoObservetheMaintenanceRegulationsandIntervals,

 Modifications,ChangesorAttemptedRepairs,

 IncorrectUseorInappropriateOperation,

 InsufficientVentilationoftheDevice

 failuretoObservetheApplicableSafetyRegulations,

 forceMajeure(e.g.lightning,overvoltage,storm,fire),or

 CosmeticShortcomings(whichdonotinfluencethesupplyofenergy)

Further‐reachingoradditionalclaimsduetodirectorindirectdamage,includingclaimsforcompensationfor

damagesduetolossofprofitsorduetocostsarisingfromdisassemblyandmounting,areexcluded.

FORWARRANTYRETURNS&INSTALLERREPLACEMENT:



AmptwillcompensateinstallersforexpensesassociatedwithreplacingSPTproductsunderwarrantyperthe

followingregistrationandwarrantyprocess:

Page48of49

1.InstallermustcontactthetechnicalsupportteamatAmpttoregisterthesupportissueandseek

assistance.AmptTechnicalsupportwillprovidetroubleshootingassistanceandiscommittedtoresolving

theclaiminoneofthefollowingways;

a.Situationwillberesolvedtotheinstaller’ssatisfactionoverthephoneorviatheAmptwireless

communicationlinktotheSPT

b.AmptoroneoftheAmptcertifiedfieldservicetechnicianswillbedispatchedtothesitefor

additionaltroubleshootingandrepairoftheSPT

c.Amptwilldeterminethattheunitshouldbereplacedandwillprovidetheinstallerwithan

RMAnumbertoproceedwithwarrantyreplacementoftheunit

2.OncetheRMAnumberhasbeenissuedbyAmpt,therearetwooptions;

a.TheinstallercanuseanexistingunitfrominventorytoreplacethefailedSPT

or

b.Amptcansendoutanadvancereplacementunit

3.Ineithercase,thereplacedunitmustbereturnedtoAmptforissueconfirmation,rootcauseanalysis

andcorrectiveactionplanning

4.AnyexceptionstothisprocessmustbeapprovedinadvancebyanauthorizedAmptrepresentative



Page49of49



APPENDIX:



FAQ

INSTALLATIONMAPPING

WIRINGDIAGRAMS

ORDERINGSPAREORREPLACEMENTPARTS

RETURNPROCEDURES

WHITEPAPERS

1. RobustLargeScalePVSystemsHavingDistributedDC/DCConversion–ByRobertPorter

Propertransferfunctiontoachievestable,predictable,andreliableoperation

PRESENTATIONS

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Ampt AMPT-GW Communications Gateway for Solar PV Converter User Manual Exhibit D Users Manual per 2 1033 b3

Ampt LLC Communications Gateway for Solar PV Converter Exhibit D Users Manual per 2 1033 b3

Exhibit D Users Manual per 2 1033 b3

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