The large-scale production of distributed photovoltaics is propelling PLC (Power Line Carrier Communication) modules into a certain incremental market. This certainty stems from the convergence of three factors: mandatory policy support, the uniqueness of the technological path, and the completion of commercial validation.
The core application scenarios for PLC modules in the photovoltaic field are module-level rapid shutdown and module-level monitoring. These two functions are directly driven by mandatory standards in major global markets.
In the North American market, NEC 2026 further revised the fast shutdown requirements of Article 690.12. According to SurgePV's NEC 2026 Fast Shutdown Compliance Guide, the 2026 version of NEC retains the existing voltage limit targets: conductors outside the array boundary must be reduced to no more than 30V within 30 seconds, and conductors inside the array boundary must be reduced to no more than 80V within 30 seconds or use certified PVHCS equipment . This means that each photovoltaic module needs to be equipped with a shutdown device with PLC communication capabilities.
In the European market, the EN50065-1 standard clearly specifies communication equipment applicable to the frequency range of 3kHz to 526.5kHz on low-voltage power lines. Its typical applications include DC bus communication between photovoltaic panels and inverters in photovoltaic power generation systems.
In the Chinese market, the new national standard GB/T 34932-2025 officially came into effect on April 1, 2026. Under the "four requirements" for dispatching, it mandates that new grid-connected equipment must support standard interfaces, collect data at a frequency of no less than one point every five minutes, and enforce identity authentication, data encryption, and access control. In 2026, the EU carbon tariff adjustment mechanism enters the mandatory compliance phase. Traditional inverter-level monitoring cannot meet the accuracy requirements for component-level carbon footprint tracing, making component-level power electronics and intelligent monitoring a crucial technological path for obtaining accurate carbon emission data .
The core policy shift is that PLC communication modules are transforming from "optional accessories" in photovoltaic systems into "compliance necessities." Whether it's North America's rapid shutdown, Europe's module-level monitoring, or China's "four capabilities," all require reliable data communication links between module-level devices.
The physical structure of a photovoltaic system dictates the choice of communication scheme. Each photovoltaic panel is connected to a DC power line, and each inverter is connected to the grid via an AC power line. PLC communication can fully reuse existing power lines for data transmission, eliminating the need for additional communication cables or wireless access points.
Metal roofs and complex electromagnetic environments pose significant challenges to the reliability of wireless communication, while PLCs, using power lines as the physical medium, possess strong anti-interference capabilities. Although RS485 bus solutions offer reliable communication, they require additional communication cabling within the photovoltaic array, increasing installation costs, construction time, and potential points of failure. In photovoltaic module-level shutdown and monitoring scenarios, PLCs offer virtually no equivalent alternatives.
The photovoltaic PLC module market has completed the crucial leap from "technology verification" to "mass shipment. " PLC chips have achieved mass production in the photovoltaic module-level power electronics field , and module-level shutdown devices and power optimizers with built-in PLC modules are being exported in bulk to overseas markets such as Southeast Asia, and are widely used in residential and commercial distributed photovoltaic scenarios. This large-scale market achievement demonstrates that PLC communication technology has undergone long-term operational verification in the complex electromagnetic environment of the photovoltaic DC side, maintaining a high level of communication online rate .
From a market perspective, each GW of photovoltaic power requires approximately 2 million photovoltaic panels. If each panel is equipped with one shutdown chip, the global annual demand exceeds 400 million panels. Currently, North America and Europe have mandated that distributed photovoltaic projects have module-level rapid shutdown capabilities. If China introduces similar mandatory standards, it will bring an even larger volume of incremental demand.
Qogrisys has established a clear product portfolio in the PLC module field, with both the S130N-ISI and 3121N-H modules being officially listed as recommended solutions for photovoltaic communication scenarios .
The S130N-ISI is based on the Leadcore VC6330 chip design, integrating a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 MCU and a 32-bit DSP, embedded Flash, 1MB SRAM, and rich communication interfaces. The module uses an LCC package, measuring only 20.6×12.6×2.5mm, and features an integrated on-chip wire driver, low power consumption, strong noise immunity, and an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C . This module supports dual communication protocols: China SGCC Q/GDW 11612 and IEEE 1901.1, and supports BPSK, QPSK, and 16QAM modulation .
The S130N-ISI's ultra-small size and low power consumption make it suitable for integration into space-constrained photovoltaic (PV) shutdown devices or power optimizers. These shutdown devices are powered by the PV panels themselves and need to continuously monitor PLC signals on the power line at microwatt-level power consumption; the S130N-ISI's low-power design aligns with this requirement.
The 3121N-H is developed based on the HiSilicon PS0211 chip, operating in frequency bands of 0.5-3.7MHz and 2.5-5.7MHz. The protocol is based on a subset of the IEEE 1901.1 standard, with an application layer rate of 80Kbps, and is equipped with a 200MHz ARM Cortex-M3 processor. A single CCO supports up to 200 STA nodes , supports dynamic routing and multi-path automatic addressing, and a typical 200-node Layer 2 network can be formed within 10 seconds .
The 3121N-H's multi-node networking capability adapts to the unified access requirements of multiple components and devices in distributed photovoltaic systems. In component-level monitoring solutions, the 3121N-H can serve as a PLC monitoring module within the component junction box, collecting voltage, current, and temperature data in real time and coupling it to the string via DC power lines. At the bus layer, this module can replace the traditional RS485 bus, enabling wireless bidirectional communication with inverters, data acquisition units, and cloud platforms.
Conclusion
Qogrisys has listed "new energy" as an independent application area, with its products clearly covering photovoltaic panels, photovoltaic inverters, energy storage, and charging piles. In scenarios such as smart streetlights, smart parking, and charging piles, Qogrisys's 3121N-H and S130N-ISI modules achieve reliable communication between devices through existing power lines, eliminating the need to lay separate communication lines for each terminal . Currently, Qogrisys is targeting emerging markets in Southeast Asia .
