About the SCADA Point Count
SCADA point count calculation determines the number of monitoring and control data points required for a solar + BESS plant's supervisory control system — used to size the SCADA server, select communication hardware, and estimate integration cost with the SLDC/RLDC.
How to calculate it
- 1Enumerate data sources: each inverter, meter, weather station, AJB, ACDB, DCDB, transformer, battery rack, BMS, PCS, and environmental sensor contributes data points.
- 2Typical point count per device: string inverter ~50 points (voltage, current, power, energy, alarms, status); central inverter ~150 points; energy meter ~30 points; weather station ~20 points; BMS rack ~80 points.
- 3Total points = Σ(devices × points per device). Add 20% for future expansion.
- 4SCADA server sizing: up to 5,000 points — standard SCADA software license; 5,000–50,000 points — enterprise SCADA; > 50,000 — distributed historian.
- 5Communication: Modbus TCP/RTU for inverters; IEC 61850 for substation protection; IEC 60870-5-104 for SLDC/RLDC interface.
Worked example
A 1 MWp plant: 20 string inverters × 50 points = 1,000; 2 energy meters × 30 = 60; 1 weather station × 20 = 20; 2 AJBs × 10 = 20; 1 ACDB × 15 = 15. Total: 1,115 points + 20% = 1,338 points. Standard single-server SCADA is adequate. For a 1 MWh BESS add-on: BMS (5 racks × 80 = 400 points), PCS (150 points), BESS meter (30 points) = 580 more → total 1,918 points.
What you can calculate
- Total I/O points
- RTU modules
- IEC 60870-5-104
- Bay count
Frequently asked questions
What communication protocol do Indian DISCOMs require for SCADA integration?
Most state DISCOMs and SLDCs require IEC 60870-5-104 (IEC 104) for TCP/IP-based SCADA communication from solar plants to the control room. Some older installations use IEC 60870-5-101 (serial). For protection relay integration, IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging is increasingly specified for 33 kV and above. Always obtain the DISCOM's SCADA integration specification before designing the communication architecture.
Is remote monitoring mandatory for solar plants in India?
For plants above 1 MW connected to the grid, most state DISCOMs and CERC require real-time remote monitoring with data telemetry to the SLDC/RLDC. MNRE also mandates monitoring for subsidised projects (PM Surya Ghar, PM-KUSUM, RESCO). For rooftop systems below 500 kW, monitoring is not mandated but is required for PM Surya Ghar subsidy compliance and for performance-based O&M contracts.
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