Locus Energy today announced the launch of PVIQ Excel Datalink, a software tool that provides direct access to performance data within Excel spreadsheets. The new tool allows asset owners and operators to easily analyze large datasets and to help ensure that solar PV assets are performing optimally. Excel Datalink is the newest element of Locus' PVIQ Suite®, a set of optimization tools that provides fleet managers with a much-needed means of evaluating performance of solar PV assets and identifying specific performance drivers.
PVIQ Excel Datalink allows users to automate the analysis and presentation of key performance data directly in Microsoft Excel. By making data queries directly from a spreadsheet workbook, fleet owners and operators can dramatically reduce the time required to prepare periodic performance reports. With PVIQ Excel Datalink, users can draw data from a wide range of performance models, augmenting users' ability to accurately analyze PV assets.
"With the launch of PVIQ Excel Datalink, customers will be able to significantly reduce the amount of valuable hours used for sifting through and analyzing complex data, as we have now automated that process," said Michael Herzig, CEO of Locus Energy. "We are excited to offer this very flexible tool, as it will allow users to increase efficiency and reduce costs, as we have seen with one of our key partners, SOLV."
Locus has been working with SOLV® (System Operations Live View), a division of Swinerton Renewable Energy, a solar PV O&M provider that manages utility-scale and commercial fleets, to integrate the PVIQ Excel Datalink and other elements of the PVIQ Suite. Locus Energy's analytic tools have simplified reporting and managing operations for SOLV, reducing operating costs and increasing production.
Since introducing Locus' data analytics software one year ago, SOLV has reported saving close to 60 hours per quarter per 20-megawatt plant by using Locus' customized PVIQ Excel Datalink to help ensure that solar PV assets are working properly. The time-savings have allowed SOLV to devote additional resources to optimizing plant performance and performing preventive maintenance.
In addition to reducing time in the field, PVIQ Excel Datalink has also helped SOLV reduce the number of hours devoted to routine reporting by 40 percent, and the time allotted to the management of performance guarantees by 20 percent.
"Since we have integrated PVIQ Excel Datalink into our systems, our analytics team has been able to easily develop detailed customized reports on a wide range of operating factors," said George Hershman, VP and Division Manager for Swinerton Renewable Energy. "This has not only significantly reduced the amount of time required to manually compile data, but we are also no longer bound by standard data reports."
