Competitor Analysis of Europe PV Monitoring Technologies: Cognitive Market Research

Product Overview and Scope of Europe PV Monitoring Technologies Market

Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a significant sustainable energy source that contributes a large portion of the energy generated from renewable resources. With the increasing demand for solar energy in recent decades, there has been a significant focus on monitoring technologies to improve performance. A wireless platform has been integrated with the solar PV monitoring system to acquire data from various sensors and nodes through wireless data transmission. However, several challenges such as large data management, signal interference, long-range data transmission, and security could impact the performance of solar PV monitoring. As the global need for solar energy has increased, the development of an advanced monitoring method has become a pressing requirement. 
Various environmental factors, including soiling, temperature, and irradiance, can affect the operation and functionality of solar PV systems. Therefore, employing an efficient solar PV monitoring system can enhance the accuracy and performance of the solar PV system. Monitoring involves observing and recording parameters from the solar PV power plant in real-time. An efficient monitoring technology improves performance efficiency by providing updated information and implementing preventive measures when flaws are detected. It also alerts users when unexpected events occur in a solar PV system. Solar PV power plant monitoring can be performed at the module, string, or system level. System-level monitoring provides exclusive information about the system, while panel and string monitoring helps pinpoint the root cause of the problem. Every panel and string must be monitored to improve the overall efficiency of a solar PV power plant, as even a change in output from a single panel can affect the efficiency of the entire system. Consequently, numerous monitoring methods have been introduced in recent decades. This monitoring technology is applicable in residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale solar installations. 
The market for PV monitoring systems is experiencing growth due to factors such as increasing demand for sustainable energy sources, and growing concerns about environmental sustainability. Additionally, favorable government policies and the promotion of solar installations are expected to drive the demand for PV monitoring systems, creating lucrative opportunities for the market during the forecast period.

Business Segment/ Overview:

ABB Group is a Switzerland base manufacturer of electrical equipment and automation products. ABB’s Electrification Business Area is a global leader in electrical products and solutions, operating in more than 100 countries, with over 200 manufacturing sites. The company operates through 19 divisions including electrification, industrial automation, robotics, discrete automation, motion and others. The company offers several automation solutions for wind energy such as wind turbine controller, Symphony condition monitoring, wind automation solution in the market. The company's business areas complement each other and pursue opportunities to collaborate.

ABB Group Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area, and Competitors
 

Sr. No.	Item	Description
1	Company Name	ABB Group
2	Website	www.new.abb.com
3	Established Date	1988
4	Headquartered	Switzerland
5	Market Position/ History	ABB Group was established in 1988 and the company is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. The company made 15 acquisitions in its first year then in 1989, ABB purchased an additional 40 companies. In course of time, the company expanded its presence across the regions. Further, the company has acquired several companies such as Kuhlman Electric Corporation, Baldor Electric, Thomas & Betts, Power-One, Bernecker + Rainer Industrie-Elektronik and many others. The company has 50,500 employees working across locations. ABB operates in more than 100 countries across the world
6	Sales Area	Worldwide
7	Manufacturing Location	Switzerland
8	No. of Employees	~105,000 (as of December 2023)
9	Competitors	Schneider Electric Delta Energy Systems Fronius International Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Victron Energy Luxor Solar Aleo Solar
10	CEO	Björn Rosengren
11	Ownership Type	Public
12	Contact Information	Affolternstrasse 44, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland Tel: +41 43 317 7111 Fax: +41 43 317 4420

PV Monitoring Technologies Product/Service Types Specification
 

Product/Service	Description
CMS-660 - Solar string monitoring	Features Direct measurement of current and temperature from the sensors 2 digital inputs for integrating SPD and switch disconnector status CMS sensors can measure any type of current up to 80A (DC, AC, or mixed), allowing monitoring of two strings with one sensor Up to 32 flexible monitoring points for customizable placement Local network and device status information provided by LEDs Easy integration into plant or inverter monitoring systems guaranteed by Modbus RTU protocol Benefits: Up-to-date system status at any time – Improve the maintenance of the system, immediately detecting unusual system status Minimum space requirements – CMS-660 collects all main information coming from the PV plant in one device through ultra-compact sensors Smart commissioning – Just few minutes to put into operation the CMS system, thanks to its smart and intuitive configuration Simplified installation – Save up to 30 % installation time thanks to quick mounting without any special tool Factory assembled – CMS-660 is also available directly inside solar string combiner boxes with factory-assembled components.
VSN730 System Monitor	The VSN730 System Monitor is tailored for small—to medium-sized commercial PV applications. It is a data collection and communication system, that provides essential monitoring capabilities. Key Features: Data Logger: Supports up to 10 ABB string inverters and integrates with a VSN800 Weather Station. Communication: Equipped with RS-485 and RS-232 interfaces, it ensures reliable data transmission in various environments. Remote Management: Allows for configuration and troubleshooting via the Aurora Vision platform, minimizing the need for physical site visits. Installation: Comes prewired in an outdoor-rated enclosure, facilitating easier installation for contractors.

S.W.O.T Analysis

Strength

• Research and development: t ABB, our R&D is driven by 19 divisions
• and focused on developing and commercializing technologies that are strategically important to our future growth. As of December 31, 2023, ABB had approximately 7,500 employees working in R&D centers across more than 30 countries in six continents, of which about 55 percent were focused on digital and software development.
• Brand Recognition: ABB is a well-known brand across the globe for products having applications in a wide range of industries like electronics, automotive, transportation, and others.
• Robust Product portfolio: The company is offering diversified product portfolio including, Robotics, Machine Automation, Drive Products, System Drives, Service, NEMA Motors, IEC LV Motors, Large Motors & Generators, Traction, and others.
• Inorganic Development: The company strongly focuses on inorganic development through investments in mergers, acquisitions, and partnership activities.

Weakness

• High employee turnover rate

Opportunity

• Growing integration of AI in different sectors is an opportunity for the growth of the market.
• Shifting customer preferences towards energy efficiency
• Expansion into the emerging markets

Threats

• The energy sector is heavily regulated, and AI technologies may face additional scrutiny due to concerns over data privacy, security, and the use of automated decision-making. ABB must ensure its AI systems comply with complex regulatory frameworks, which could slow down deployment or increase costs.
• AI is rapidly evolving, and new advancements in algorithms or AI models could render existing solutions less competitive. ABB will need to stay ahead of technological developments to ensure its AI solutions remain cutting-edge and relevant.