AN E-SERVICE PANEL FOR ACCOMODATING EQUIPMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field e-service panel. More specifically, the present invention relates to an e-service panel for use in PV power plants, thermal and hydro power plants, cement plants, power distribution grids, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Even though the problems are faced at various places like thermal power plants, hydro power plants, cement plants, etc., but for the sake of easy understanding, we shall describe the problems faced at PV power plants only. It is known that PV power plants are configured for generating electricity from solar energy. The PV power plants comprises of a plurality of PV blocks for generating electricity from solar energy. Each PV block comprises of a plurality of PV modules which are coupled to inverters, step up transformers and circuit breakers, etc. More specifically, the DC voltage generated by PV modules is converted to AC voltage using inverters. The generated AC voltage is stepped up using step up transformers and finally fed to grid for commercial use via circuit breakers.
Inverters used for conversion of DC voltage to AC voltage are usually kept indoor while other equipments are kept outdoor. Inverters along with their control and monitoring equipments are kept in a small room or building termed as an inverter room. Further, the inverters are kept in the inverter room with requirements of lighting, ventilation and auxiliary power supply.
Generally, an inverter room consists of a number of units/equipments/systems such as inverters (for example two inverters for a PV block), auxiliary power supply unit, AC distribution system, lighting & ventilation distribution systems, UPS, battery and battery charger, annunciation distribution system, control panel or SCADA panel or PLC panel, isolation transformer panel, dry auxiliary transformer, etc., some of which are stand-alone units/equipments/systems and some are wall mounted.
Figure 1 shows the layout of a conventional inverter room (100). The layout shown in figure 1 has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, it can be noticed from figure 1, the various units/equipments/systems such as inverters (101, 102), PLC unit (106), lighting distribution
`
board (110), AC distribution board (105), annunciation panel (111), UPS (107), ventilation distribution board (109), battery and battery charger (103), dry auxiliary transformer (104) and isolation transformer panel (112) are scattered and located at a distance from each other. This causes an increase in the size of the inverter room (100) where the said units/equipments/systems are located thereby increasing the installation cost of the PV power plant. Further, such scattered placement of units/equipments/systems would involve excess wires/cables and increased man power which is undesirable. Such scattered placement of units/equipments/systems is always prone to disconnection or lose contact resulting in chaos.
Secondly, the above mentioned units/equipments/systems are connected to each other by means of interconnecting cables. Further, some of the units/equipments/systems may be free standing and some may be wall mounted, thus providing an interconnection between them causes an increase in the length of the interconnecting cables. For example, the ventilation distribution board (109) which may be wall mounted is connected to the PLC unit (106) which may be free standing thereby increasing the length of the cables used to connect them. In another example, the ventilation distribution board (109) is connected to the AC distribution board (105) which may be free standing thus again increasing the length of the interconnecting cables. In other words, since all the units/equipments/systems are located at a distance from each other, the length of the interconnecting cables increases. This again increases the installation cost as well as lead to increased complexity. Furthermore, the interconnecting cables are prone to aging and damage and hence the increase in the length of the cables requires careful monitoring and more maintenance. For example, if a critical interconnecting cable is cut due to some operator movement, etc., the entire solar PV Block can trip which would lead to loss of generation. Thus, careful monitoring and maintenance of cables is very critical. Critical monitoring and maintenance of cables again requires more manpower and increases the installation and maintenance cost. Moreover, increase in the length of the cables increases the execution time.
Thirdly, some units/equipments/systems may require a separate mounting frame/structure, for example, in case they are wall mounted which again results in an increase in the installation cost of the PV power plant.
`
Fourthly, for the inverter rooms as shown in figure 1, the interconnections between various units/equipments/systems are done at the site i.e. at the time of installation of the power plant, thus increasing the installation time and cost.
Lastly, the layout of the inverter room as shown in figure 1 is not aesthetically appealing.
Therefore, there always existed a need in the art to provide a technique which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional systems highlighted above.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to provide an e-service panel for accommodating all auxiliary power and control requirements.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an e-service panel for locating various scattered units/equipment/system at a consolidated location thereby increasing reliability.
Yet another object of the present invention is to reduce the space requirement in the inverter room, thereby reducing cost;
Further object of the present invention is to protect the equipments from getting affected from external environmental factors;
Furthermore object of the present invention is to reduce installation time and manpower;
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the cables/wires and associated complexity;
Yet another object of the present invention is to keep the connection between various units/equipments/systems intact.
Further object of the present invention is to prevent fire hazards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an e-service panel for accommodating equipment, said panel comprising: a closure unit being compartmentalized into first, second and third columns; a vertical partition member being provided in the second column dividing the second
`
column of the closure unit into front and rear sections; and at least four chambers being fixed at a front face of the partition member at the front section; wherein the first and third columns being allocated for accommodating cables to be routed to the front and rear sections and to the chambers.
According to an aspect of the present invention, wherein the rear section is completely assigned for accommodating a PLC unit.
According to another aspect of the present invention, wherein the partition member comprising a holding means on its rear face for mounting the said PLC unit.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, wherein each chamber accommodates one equipment chosen from a) isolation transformer panel, b) AC distribution board incomer unit, c) AC distribution board outgoing unit d) ventilation distribution board, e) lighting distribution board, f) annunciation panel, and g) UPS, wherein each chamber accommodates different equipment.
According to another aspect of the present invention, further comprising: an opening being created in a wall shared between two adjoining chambers for interconnecting the equipments located within the said chambers.
According to furthermore aspect of the present invention, wherein the equipments located within the said chambers are interconnected to each other through the first and third columns.
According to another aspect of the present invention, further comprising: an opening being created in the vertical partition member for connecting the PLC unit located at the rear section with one or more equipments located at the front section.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, wherein the PLC unit located at the rear section is connected with one or more equipments located at the front section through the first and third columns.
According to further aspect of the present invention, wherein the front section being divided into at least two layers, wherein each layer includes at least one chamber.
`
According to furthermore aspect of the present invention, wherein the top surface of the closure unit having at least one slot for accommodating at least one exhaust fan for dissipating heat.
According to another aspect of the present invention, wherein: the AC distribution board incomer unit is operatively coupled to a dry auxiliary transformer unit located outside the panel; the AC distribution board outgoing unit being operatively coupled to isolation transformer panel, ventilation distribution board, lighting distribution board, annunciation panel and UPS; and the PLC unit being operatively coupled to the annunciation panel, the AC distribution board incomer unit, AC distribution board outgoing unit, ventilation distribution board and lighting distribution board.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, wherein the walls of the chambers, partition member and columns are provided with fireproof lining.
According to further aspect of the present invention, wherein the said panel being adapted to be installed at solar PV plants, thermal power plants, hydro plants, cement plants and power distribution grids.
The following paragraphs are provided in order to describe the best mode of working the invention and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the aspects/embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention wherein:
Figure 1 shows the layout of a conventional inverter room;
Figure 2 shows the layout of an inverter room according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
Figure 3 shows the perspective view of the closure unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows the front section of the closure unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 shows the front section of the closure unit according to an another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 shows the rear section of the closure unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 shows the interconnection block diagram of the e-service panel units/equipments/systems according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 shows the AC distribution board unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 9 shows the e-service panel scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in the e-service panel.
Accordingly, the panel has been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
`
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system/arrangement/product that comprises a list of components which does not include only those components but may include other components/arrangement not expressly listed or inherent to such product. Precisely, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
Referring now to the drawings, there are shown various illustrative embodiments of the e-service panel (205) according to the present invention. It should be understood that the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms; specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below.
The present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following paragraphs describe an embodiment of the present invention with reference to figures 2-9.
Figure 2 shows the layout of an inverter room (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As mentioned earlier with reference to figure 1 in the background section of the present invention, an inverter room usually consists of various units/equipments/systems such as inverters (101, 102), PLC unit (106), lighting distribution board (110), AC distribution board (105), annunciation panel (111), UPS (107), ventilation distribution board (109), battery and battery charger (103), dry auxiliary transformer (104) and isolation transformer panel (112), which are scattered in the inverter room.
In the inverter room (200), most of the above mentioned units/equipments/systems have been accommodated in a single place i.e. in the e-service panel (205). In other words, the scattered units/equipments/systems have been housed in a single panel which is a free standing panel. More specifically, lighting distribution board, AC distribution board, annunciation panel, UPS, ventilation distribution board, isolation transformer panel and PLC unit have been
`
accommodated in the e-service panel (205). Providing such an e-service panel (205) in the inverter room (200) overcomes the problems associated with the conventional inverter rooms.
Accordingly, the components of the e-service panel are illustrated in figures 3-6. The e-service panel (205) of the present invention is a free standing panel comprising: a closure unit (300) being compartmentalized into first (301, 401, 501, 601), second (302, 403, 503, 603) and third columns (303, 402, 502, 602); a vertical partition member (304) being provided in the second column (302) dividing the second column (302) of the closure unit (300) into front (305, 400, 500) and rear sections (306, 600); and at least four chambers (307, 308, 309, 310) being fixed at a front face (310) of the partition member (304) at the front section (305, 400, 500); wherein the first (301, 401, 501, 601) and third (303, 402, 502, 602) columns (e.g cable alley) being allocated for accommodating cables to be routed to the front (305, 400, 500) and rear (306, 600) sections and to the chambers (307, 308, 309, 310).
The different chambers (307, 308, 309, 310) have been assigned for power circuits and contactor based control circuits. In an embodiment as shown in figure 4, four chambers (404, 405, 406, 407) have been assigned for power circuits and contactor based control circuits.
In an alternative embodiment as shown in figure 5, the chambers can be six (504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509). Each chamber accommodates one equipment chosen from a) isolation transformer panel (410, 514), b) AC distribution board incomer unit (408, 512), c) AC distribution board outgoing unit (411, 513), d) ventilation distribution board (409, 511), e) annunciation panel (510), and f) UPS (515), such that each chamber accommodates different equipment. In some cases, the chamber may accommodate lighting distribution board (707) also.
As shown in figure 6, the rear section (306, 600) of the e-service panel (205) has been assigned for the PLC unit (606). The different units/equipments/systems placed in the chambers of the front section (305, 400, 500) are appropriately coupled to each other. Further, the PLC unit (606) located at the rear section (306, 600) is also appropriately coupled to the units/equipments/systems placed in the front section (305, 400, 500) for providing monitoring and/or control of the units/equipments/systems placed in the front section (305, 400, 500).
`
Now again coming to figures 3-5, the front section (305, 400, 500) of the e-service panel (205) has been utilized to house all the power circuits and contractor based control circuits required for 1 to 2 MW solar block.
Figure 6, shows the rear section (306, 600) of the e-service panel (205) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rear section (306, 600) has been completely assigned for the PLC unit (606). This type of design has been adopted for providing proper shielding of the PLC circuit from the power circuit. The rear section (306, 600) may or may not be divided into one or more compartments. If divided, the one or more compartments in the rear section (306, 600) are utilized completely for the PLC unit (606). Further, the partition member (304) comprises a holding means/plate on its rear face (311, 604) for mounting the said PLC unit (606).
Further, it can be noticed from figures 3-6, both the left and right sides of the e-service panel (205) are provided with cable alleys for housing the terminal blocks required for power circuit, control circuit and PLC circuit. Also, it can be noticed from figures 4-6, the top hood of the e-service panel (205) has been provided with slots for accommodating exhaust fans (412, 413, 516, 517, 607, 608) for providing heat dissipation. However, it is not mandatory to have two exhaust fans, but at least one exhaust fan is required to cool the system present in the panel.
As it can be noticed from figures 3-5, the front section (305, 400, 500) is being divided into at least two layers, wherein each layer includes at least one chamber. For example, as shown in figure 4, the front section (400) has been bifurcated into two layers i.e. upper and lower layers. Similarly, as shown in figure 5, the front section (500) is bifurcated into three layers: upper middle and lower layers. Furthermore, it can be noticed from figures 4 and 5 that each layer has been further bifurcated into two chambers. However, a person skilled in the art without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention can create further layers accommodating suitable chambers. Not restricting to, we here below define the layers and its implications taking into account six chambers.
In one of the examples as shown in figure 5, the front section (500) has been divided into six chambers (504-509) suiting to 1 to 2 MW solar block auxiliary power requirements. The number
`
of chambers in the front section (305, 400, 500) can be more or less than six i.e. the number of chambers in the front section (305, 400, 500) can be modified or decreased or increased to make it suitable for any lower or higher MW block size auxiliary power and control requirements.
The placements of certain equipments in the appropriate chambers are very critical and are selected based on certain conditions. Accordingly, it is preferred to accommodate ventilation distribution board (409, 511) and annunciation panel (510) (if required) in the upper layer and accommodate isolation transformer panel (410, 514) in the lower layer. Due to the nature of the heaviness, the isolation transformer panel (410, 514) is accommodated in the lower layer. Further, as the function of the annunciation is to provide alarm, it is preferred to locate the same in the upper layer. Precisely, the annunciation panel (510) needs only visual interface and does not require any manual operation and is thus accommodated in the upper layer.
Further, the spare contacts in the annunciation panel (510) have been wired to PLC unit (606) which is placed on the opposite side in the rear section (306, 600) at similar height, thus, minimizing the internal wiring and interference with power circuit wiring. The ventilation distribution board (409, 511) is a sensitive unit/equipment/system and any mal-operation may lead to tripping or load shedding of the inverters (201, 202). Hence, the ventilation distribution board (409, 511) is located in the upper layer to avoid manual intervention. Also, the ventilation distribution board (409, 511) is controlled by the PLC unit (606) which is placed on the opposite side in the rear section (306, 600) at similar height, thus, minimizing the internal wiring and interference with power circuit wiring.
In case of six chambers, the middle layer has been utilized for AC distribution board. The AC distribution board comprises of incomer unit (512) and outgoing unit (513). Chamber (506) houses the incomer unit (512) i.e. incoming MCCBs from feeder transformer and chamber (507) houses the outgoing unit (513). Further, the outgoing unit (513) houses a plurality of MCBs for further distribution of AC supply. In other words, chamber (507) houses a plurality of MCBs for outgoing feeder. However, in respect of four chambers, the AC incomer unit (408) is accommodated in the upper layer and the AC outgoing unit (411) is accommodating in the lower layer.
`
Further, if UPS (515) is present it is accommodated in the lower layer.
From the above, it can be noticed that the front section (305, 400, 500) of the e-service panel (205) has been designed by keeping in view the following requirements:
 Mitigation of fault spreading;
 Minimization of mal-operation of sensitive circuits due to inadvertent operation by an operator;
 Heat dissipation-As heat travels to the top, suitable exhaust fans have been provided on the top hood;
 Minimization of electromagnetic interference to noise sensitive compartments;
 Heavy components at lower height for Panel weight optimization;
 Operable height for MCCBs and MCBs;
 Minimization of internal power and control circuit wiring; and
 Segregation between power and control circuits. Middle and lower layers have been allocated to Power circuit and upper layer mainly to control circuit.
Now again referring to figure 6 which shows the rear section (306, 600) of the e-service panel (205) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rear section (306, 600) has been completely used for the PLC unit (606). The reason being so, as PLC unit (606) is full of sensitive electronic cards and works on 24 V DC, it is located on the rear side to provide proper isolation and shielding from the power circuits located in the front section (305, 400, 500) and their switching noise. Further, from figures 3-6, it can be noticed that cable alleys are provided for accommodating terminal blocks such that the cables can be terminated from outdoor as well as internal circuits in the panel. Furthermore, bottom of the e-service panel (205) has been provided with gland plate for optical fiber cable.
Figure 7 shows the interconnection block diagram of the units/equipments/systems located in the e-service panel (205) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, figure 7 shows the interconnection of the panel units/equipments/systems with other outdoor equipments according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
As shown in figure 7, the AC distribution board (709) supplies power to majority of units/equipments/systems located in the e-service panel (205) as well as to other units/equipments/systems located outside the e-service panel (205). The AC distribution board (709) receives incoming supply for further distribution from dry auxiliary transformer (710). As stated above, the AC distribution board (709) comprises of an incomer unit and an outgoing unit (the same is also highlighted in figure 8). The dry auxiliary transformer (710) provides power supply to the incomer unit (not shown in figure 7) and the incomer unit provides power supply to the outgoing unit (not shown in figure 7) for further distribution.
Further, from figure 7, it can be noticed that AC distribution board (709) feeds AC power to ventilation distribution board (711), UPS (703), annunciation panel (704), isolation transformer panel (706) and lighting distribution board (707). UPS (703) provides uninterrupted power supply to inverter (701).
The AC distribution board (709) feeds power to ventilation feeders located in the ventilation distribution board (711). The ventilation feeders further supply power to the ventilation fans (712) which are located outside the e-service panel (205). Further, the AC distribution board (709) feeds power to lighting feeders located in the lighting distribution board (707). The lighting feeders further supply power to lighting fixtures which are located outside the e-service panel (205).
Furthermore, from figure 7, it can be noticed that, the PLC unit (705) is connected to the AC distribution board (709) and annunciation panel (704) for monitoring operations thereof. Also, the PLC unit (705) is connected to the ventilation distribution board (711) and lighting distribution board (707) for monitoring and controlling operations thereof.
Moreover, as shown in figure 7, plant dependent panels (702) for example field devices are connected to the annunciation panel (704) as well as the UPS (703).
As stated above, figure 8 illustrates the AC distribution board (800) comprising the AC distribution board incomer unit (801) and AC distribution board outgoing unit (802) coupled to each other. The location of the incomer unit and outgoing unit is decided based on the number of chambers and the preference location of other essential equipments.
`
Figure 9 shows the e-service panel (205) scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 9, the AC distribution board comprises of an incomer unit (905) and an AC outgoing unit (906). The incomer unit (905) is coupled to the AC outgoing unit (906) by means of bus bar. The incomer unit (905) comprises of MCCBs for receiving incoming power supply from the dry auxiliary transformer. The AC outgoing unit (906) comprises of a plurality of MCBs for further distribution of power to the various units/equipments/systems located within the e-service panel (205) and units/equipments/systems located outside the e-service panel (205).
From figure 9, it can be noticed that AC outgoing unit (906) comprises of seventeen MCBs. The number of MCBs in the AC outgoing unit (906) can be more or less than seventeen depending on the type of application. The first and fourth MCBs supply power to the ventilation distribution board (904) or ventilation feeders which provide power to the ventilation fans. The second MCB provides power to isolation transformer panel (903) which further provides power to the string monitoring units (SMUs). The string monitoring units are located in the field in close proximity to PV modules for monitoring the PV modules. Further, the third MCB supplies power to the annunciation panel (901), fifth MCB supplies power to the switch gear system and the sixth and seventh MCBs supply power to the UPS (902) for giving interrupted power supply to the inverters.
Furthermore, eighth, ninth and sixteenth MCBs are spare, tenth MCB supplies power to the e-service panel fans, eleventh MCB supplies power to inverter transformer, twelfth MCB supplies power to the battery and battery charger, thirteenth-fifteenth MCBs supplies power to indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures, and seventeenth MCB supplies power to an Ethernet switch.
Moreover, as shown in figure 9, the annunciation panel (901), is provided with one or more relays that receive input signal from field devices and provide two outputs: one for annunciation and other for the PLC unit for monitoring the operations of the annunciation panel.
In addition, in respect of interconnections between various components, an opening may be created (not shown in figures) in a wall shared between two adjoining chambers for interconnecting the equipments located within the said chambers. In the alternative, the equipments can be coupled to each other through the first (301, 401, 501, 601) and third columns
`
(303, 402, 502, 602) i.e. cable alleys. Also, an opening may be created in the vertical partition member (304) for connecting the PLC unit (606) located at the rear section (306, 600) with one or more equipments located at the front section (305, 400, 500). In the alternative, the PLC unit (606) can be coupled to one or more equipments through the first (301, 401, 501, 601) and third columns (303, 402, 502, 602) i.e. cable alleys.
In an important aspect of the present invention, the walls of the chambers, partition member and columns are provided with fireproof lining. In the alternative, the material of the chambers, partition member and columns is selected to be fire proof.
KEY FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
In the embodiment of the present invention as described above, all the auxiliary power and control requirements of a PV block are met by a single standalone e-service panel (205); hence the present invention provides a simple and cost effective technique that overcomes the problems associated with conventional inverter rooms.
The following are the key features of the present invention:
 The e-service panel (205) consists of different chambers and each chamber serves/caters to a particular requirement;
 The e-service panel (205) includes feeders for supplying auxiliary power to inverters, step-up transformers, string monitoring units and other miscellaneous equipments;
 The e-service panel (205) also includes feeders for providing ventilation and lighting supply to the inverter room and its peripheral area;
 The e-service panel (205) control hardware and software achieves automatic control of inverters, exhausts, ventilation, depending on inverter operational status, ;thereby leading to large savings of auxiliary power consumption;
 The e-service panel (205) control hardware and software monitors the inverter room temperature and controls the room ventilation system, thereby saving auxiliary power;
 The e-service panel (205) control hardware and software automatically controls the inverter room lighting by movement sensing in the inverter room, thereby not only saving auxiliary power but alleviating the need for manual switch ON/OFF of lights;
`
 The e-service panel (205) control hardware is also integrated with smoke/fire detector in the inverter room for remote annunciation in case of fire;
 The e-service panel (205) control hardware and software enables remote control of inverters and HT breaker from main control room;
 The e-service panel (205) reduces the space requirement in the inverter room thereby reducing the installation cost;
 The e-service panel (205) reduces cable requirement to interconnect the equipments by placing all the equipments in an arranged manner and in a single panel. Since the interconnection is done inside the panel, the interconnecting cables are less prone to aging and damage hence increasing the life of cables and reducing cost;
 The e-service panel (205) also reduces the risk of loss of generation due to cable plug out or cable cut at the time of manual visit in the room;
 The e-service panel (205) also reduces the complexity occurred due to scattering of units/equipments/systems in the inverter room. Since the length of the interconnecting cables is reduced, the execution time also reduces;
 The e-service panel (205) is a ready to use panel i.e. all the units/equipments/systems including PLC are installed in the front and rear sections at the time of manufacturing the panel. Also the interconnections among the installed units/equipments/systems are done at the time of manufacturing the panel. This leads to saving of installation time; and
 The PLC unit is installed at the time of plant erection and commissioning thereby leading to a better control of the plant equipments.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a standalone panel i.e. an e-service panel (205) for housing majority of units/equipments/systems taking care of all the requirements of a typical inverter room. This leads to:
 Substantial reduction of space requirement in the inverter room, thereby leading to reduction of cost;
 Reduction of execution time;
 Reduction of cables and associated complexity; and
`
 Reduction of maintenance activities/time during O & M, thereby ensuring better plant availability;
 Enhanced reliability; and
 Better monitoring and control.
The scope of the present invention is not limited to PV power plants only. A person skilled in the art can easily extend the scope and use of the invention to any other suitable field such as thermal power plants, hydro power plants, cement plants, power distribution grids, etc. The present invention is described with reference to the figures and specific embodiments; this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various alternate embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such alternative embodiments form part of the present invention.

We Claim:
1. An e-service panel for accommodating equipment, said panel comprising:
a closure unit being compartmentalized into first, second and third columns;
a vertical partition member being provided in the second column dividing the second column of the closure unit into front and rear sections; and
at least four chambers being fixed at a front face of the partition member at the front section;
wherein the first and third columns are being allocated for accommodating cables to be routed to the front and rear sections and to the chambers.
2. The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear section is completely assigned for accommodating a PLC unit.
3. The panel as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the partition member comprising a holding means on its rear face for mounting the said PLC unit.
4. The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein each chamber accommodates one equipment chosen from a) isolation transformer panel, b) AC distribution board incomer unit, c) AC distribution board outgoing unit d) ventilation distribution board, e) lighting distribution board, f) annunciation panel, and g) UPS,
wherein each chamber accommodates different equipment.
5. The panel as claimed in claims 1 and 4, further comprising: an opening being created in a wall shared between two adjoining chambers for interconnecting the equipments located within the said chambers.
6. The panel as claimed in claim 4, wherein the equipments located within the said chambers are interconnected to each other through the first and third columns.
7. The panel as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 4, further comprising: an opening being created in the vertical partition member for connecting the PLC unit located at the rear section with one or more equipments located at the front section.
`
8. The panel as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 4, wherein the PLC unit located at the rear section is connected with one or more equipments located at the front section through the first and third columns.
9. The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front section being divided into at least two layers, wherein each layer includes at least one chamber.
10. The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the closure unit having at least one slot for accommodating at least one exhaust fan for dissipating heat.
11. The panel as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 4, wherein:
the AC distribution board incomer unit is operatively coupled to a dry auxiliary transformer unit located outside the panel;
the AC distribution board outgoing unit being operatively coupled to isolation transformer panel, ventilation distribution board, lighting distribution board, annunciation panel and UPS; and
the PLC unit being operatively coupled to the annunciation panel, the AC distribution board incomer unit, AC distribution board outgoing unit, ventilation distribution board and lighting distribution board.
12. The panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the walls of the chambers, partition member and columns are provided with fireproof lining.
13. The e-service panel as claimed in claims 1-12, wherein the said panel being adapted to be
installed at solar PV plants, thermal power plants, hydro plants, cement plants and power distribution grids.