As countries pursue net-zero carbon emissions, decarbonizing energy sources plays a critical role. Singapore-based solar photovoltaic (PV) systems integrator Mirai Electronics, utilizing Advantech's EdgeHub and WISE-IoT visualization services, develops a next-generation solar PV monitoring and metering system. This system reduces the operational burden of managing solar power plants and assists the Singapore government and enterprises in constructing renewable energy systems. By increasing the use of green energy, these entities are able to achieve their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sustainability goals.

Founded in 1998, Mirai initially focused on electronic distribution before expanding into energy services in 2003, aligning with the growing trend toward renewable energy. By 2019, Mirai shifted its focus to solar PV, offering comprehensive services from site planning and system installation to remote operations and maintenance. Currently, Mirai operates over 400 solar power plants across Singapore, establishing itself as a market leader in the country’s solar PV sector.

As the company expanded, its traditional on-site monitoring system began facing operational bottlenecks, requiring additional manpower and time to manage the distributed solar power plants effectively. Customer demands for cloud-based management platforms further heightened the need for smart applications.

In response, Mirai adopted Advantech's EdgeHub, centralizing data from solar plants across multiple locations to the cloud for remote management and monitoring. This solution not only alleviates operational burdens but also aligns with customer expectations. Mirai leverages Advantech’s IoT Gateway Software EdgeLink and the SCADA visualization software WebAccess/SCADA to collect data from various PV sites. The data is uploaded to EdgeHub, where it can be integrated with different systems or third-party data as per client needs, using WISE-IoT’s VisualSuite for visualization. This enables customers to develop extended services such as predictive maintenance and asset management. Furthermore, EdgeHub's ability to manage both data and devices allows for remote monitoring of gateway connectivity, system configurations, and security settings, reducing time and labor costs for operations management.

EdgeHub’s high flexibility and scalability support various hardware and communication protocols, enabling Mirai to easily meet diverse customer needs, delivering the following four key benefits:

Benefit 1: Enhanced Operational Efficiency through Remote Maintenance

When a gateway requires firmware updates or system configuration adjustments based on end-user requirements, Mirai previously had to send engineers on-site, limiting them to servicing a maximum of two locations per day. With EdgeHub’s remote capabilities, engineers can now update firmware and adjust settings without physically visiting the site.

Benefit 2: Improved Billing Efficiency and Accuracy

Prior to EdgeHub, Mirai manually calculated energy generation data for billing. Now, meter data is directly uploaded to the system, converting data into customer invoices automatically. This saves time and reduces the risk of human error, thereby increasing data accuracy and customer trust.

Benefit 3: Supporting Customers' ESG Goals

By integrating data from the Singapore Meteorological Service with solar PV generation data, Mirai evaluates the performance of solar PV equipment. The system calculates carbon reduction equivalent to the amount of energy generated by solar power, including tree-planting equivalents, providing customers with data for ESG reports.By integrating data from the Singapore Meteorological Service with solar PV generation data, Mirai evaluates the performance of solar PV equipment. The system calculates carbon reduction equivalent to the amount of energy generated by solar power, including tree-planting equivalents, providing customers with data for ESG reports.

Benefit 4: More Precise Cost Control for System Deployment

EdgeHub offers flexible deployment options, with cloud-based solutions allowing Mirai to adjust usage according to the size of the solar plant, leading to more accurate cost management.

Since partnering with Mirai, Advantech has provided comprehensive support, from products and services to technical and human resources, helping Mirai meet every customer need. Moving forward, this partnership will continue to expand the solar PV market in Singapore.