Solar SCADA Modernization: Bringing More than 30 Sites onto One Platform
Updated: Oct 14
How Tamazari used Ignition to unify Ecoplexus solar operations, improve performance visibility and reduce monitoring costs
SUMMARY
Managing a solar portfolio becomes harder when every site presents a different picture. Ecoplexus faced that challenge across more than 30 solar sites, where disconnected data acquisition systems limited visibility, customization and access to operational information.
Ecoplexus consolidated its sites onto a single Ignition SCADA platform. The project gave operators a consistent view across the portfolio, expanded access to performance data and reduced costs associated with monitoring and data access.
CLIENT BACKGROUND
Ecoplexus develops, designs, finances, constructs, operates and owns renewable energy systems serving commercial, government and utility markets. Managing its solar assets required information that could support daily operations, investor reporting and evaluation by potential site buyers.
CHALLENGE
Ecoplexus’s existing data acquisition systems came from multiple vendors and lacked the consistency and analytical depth needed for a large solar portfolio. Operators had limited control over interface customization and feature requests, while subscription fees added recurring costs for monitoring and data access.
Adding controls and expanding data access through previous providers was prohibitively expensive. Meanwhile, potential buyers needed more detailed site-performance information, and financial analysis required better underlying data.
With a tight timeline for bringing existing sites together, Ecoplexus needed a standardized platform that could accommodate differences between sites and support future growth.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Consolidate more than 30 solar sites onto one SCADA platform.
Provide consistent interfaces with customization for operational needs.
Expand access to live and historical performance data.
Support operations, investor reporting and buyer analysis.
Reduce dependence on monitoring subscriptions and restrictive data-access arrangements.
Give Ecoplexus a system it could operate, maintain and extend.
SOLUTION
Implemented Ignition by Inductive Automation as a common platform for solar monitoring, control and data analysis. Its configurable environment allowed Ecoplexus to standardize the operator experience while tailoring interfaces, reports, security and tag history to its requirements.
The solution also changed how Ecoplexus accessed and managed its information. An open architecture gave the company greater ownership of the system and the ability to expand data collection and controls without relying on the previous monitoring subscription model.
IMPLEMENTATION
The implementation brought the existing sites into a unified operations and maintenance environment. A portfolio dashboard allowed operators to review the fleet at a glance, then select individual sites to investigate network health, operating status, inverter performance, alarms and reports.
Customized human-machine interfaces and historical data views supported more detailed investigation. Operators could trend information, examine plant performance and export data for customers or internal teams. Templates, reporting and security were configured around Ecoplexus’s operational requirements.
RESULTS
Ecoplexus gained a common operating view across more than 30 solar sites, replacing fragmented monitoring with a consistent platform. Reported improvements included:
Better operational visibility: Operators could assess the portfolio and investigate individual sites through one environment.
Deeper analysis: Expanded data collection and historical trending supported plant-performance investigations.
Greater flexibility: Ecoplexus gained more control over interfaces, tag history and system customization.
Lower monitoring costs: The solution removed the need for the previous monitoring subscription model.
Stronger reporting: More accessible operational data supported investor reporting and information sharing.
LONG-TERM VALUE
The modernization gave Ecoplexus a platform it could own, maintain and adapt as its portfolio evolved. Greater access to historical and operating data also established a stronger foundation for future predictive analysis.
For renewable energy operators, the project demonstrates how SCADA standardization can improve both everyday asset management and the information available for commercial decisions.
KEY LEARNINGS
Standardization and site-specific customization can work together.
Data accessibility matters to operations, investors and prospective asset buyers.
Platform ownership and recurring monitoring costs deserve attention alongside technical capabilities.
A portfolio dashboard is most useful when operators can move directly into site and equipment details.
Ready to connect your operational systems? Tamazari helps organizations modernize legacy SCADA, standardize applications across sites and turn operational data into useful dashboards and reporting.
About Tamazari
Tamazari is a woman-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned Washington-based technology modernization and execution consultancy serving utilities, fleet operators, public agencies and critical infrastructure organizations across the U.S. Our work spans energy IT, SCADA, GIS, ERP/SAP, enterprise modernization, telecom infrastructure, data centers and fleet telematics.
