Gateway installation and management method, gateway installation and management program, recording medium, gateway installation and management device, gateway installation support method, gateway installation support program, and gateway installation support device

Abstract

This system enables even workers with limited expertise in gateway devices to easily and reliably install gateway devices at locations such as private residences. [Solution] A two-dimensional code C (code) indicating a gateway ID that identifies the gateway device 63 is attached to the gateway device 63. The gateway ID obtained by the contractor terminal 5 reading the two-dimensional code C with the camera 56 (scanner) is then transmitted from the contractor terminal 5 to the system management device 3 (steps S203-S205, S210). Furthermore, when the contractor terminal 5 receives a designation operation from the contractor to specify the installation location A6 of the gateway device 63 (step S209), the installation location A6 and the gateway ID are associated and registered in the database DB (first database) (steps S210, S301-S302).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a green technology for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by using a solar power generation device, and particularly to a technology that enables easy execution of operations required for managing a solar power generation device installed at an installation site such as a private residence.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in order to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a solar power generation device that converts sunlight into electricity for power generation is used. Particularly in recent years, a PPA service for promoting the installation of solar power generation devices at installation sites such as private residences has been advanced by PPA operators. This PPA operator conducts a business of purchasing surplus power that has not been consumed at the installation site of the solar power generation device from the power generated by the solar power generation device and selling it to the power company. In such a PPA service, in order to manage the solar power generation device at the installation site, it is necessary to appropriately collect information related to power generation by the solar power generation device. For specific examples, information such as the power generation amount, the amount of electricity sold, or the amount of electricity purchased is collected.

[0003] Therefore, it is conceivable to use a gateway device as shown in Patent Document 1 for information collection. This Patent Document 1 shows a gateway device that collects data from electronic devices such as PLC (Programable Logic Control) and FA devices in the field of FA (Factory Automation). Logic Control)やFA機器といった電子機器からデータを収集するゲートウェイ装置が示されている。

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, PPA services presented unique challenges different from those in the factory automation (FA) field. Specifically, to promote the widespread adoption of solar power generation equipment through PPA services, gateway devices need to be installed at a large number of installation sites (for example, thousands to tens of thousands). Therefore, it is not practical for PPA operators to perform the installation work for each installation site. Consequently, PPA operators are forced to outsource the installation work for gateway devices to local contractors in the area where the installations will take place. Due to these circumstances, the installation work for gateway devices at installation sites is carried out by contractors separate from the PPA operator. However, these contractors often lack specialized knowledge regarding gateway devices. As a result, the installation work for gateway devices can be time-consuming or prone to frequent errors.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to enable even workers with limited expertise in gateway devices to easily and reliably perform the installation work of a gateway device at a location such as a private residence. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The gateway installation management method according to the present invention is a gateway installation management method for managing construction work performed by workers who install gateway devices used for managing power generation by solar power generation equipment, and comprises the steps of: obtaining a gateway ID from a work terminal device used by a worker to perform construction work when the work terminal device acquires a gateway ID that identifies the gateway device to be installed by the worker; and registering the installation location specified by the work terminal device and the gateway ID in association with each other in a first database when the work terminal device receives a specification operation from a worker to specify the installation location for the gateway device, wherein the gateway device is assigned a code indicating the gateway ID, and the work terminal device obtains the gateway ID by reading the code with a scanner.

[0008] The gateway installation management device according to the present invention is a gateway installation management device that manages construction work by workers installing gateway devices used for managing power generation by solar power generation equipment. The device includes an identifier acquisition unit that acquires a gateway ID from a work terminal device used by a worker to perform construction work when the work terminal device acquires a gateway ID that identifies the gateway device to be installed by the worker, and an identifier registration unit that registers the installation location specified by the work terminal device and the gateway ID in association in a first database when the work terminal device receives a specification operation by the worker to specify the installation location for the gateway device. The gateway device is assigned a code indicating the gateway ID, and the work terminal device acquires the gateway ID by reading the code with a scanner.

[0009] According to the present invention (gateway installation management method and apparatus) configured as described above, a code indicating a gateway ID that identifies the gateway device is attached to the gateway device. The gateway ID obtained by reading the code with a scanner is then retrieved from the work terminal device. Furthermore, when the work terminal device receives a specification operation from a worker to specify the installation location of the gateway device, the installation location and the gateway ID are associated and registered in the first database. Therefore, the worker can perform the installation work of the gateway device required to manage the gateway device and its installation location in the database by reading the code with a scanner and specifying the installation location. As a result, even workers with little specialized knowledge of gateway devices can easily and reliably perform the installation work of installing gateway devices at installation locations such as private residences.

[0010] Furthermore, the gateway installation management method may be configured to include a step of displaying the installation location where the worker using the work terminal device will perform the construction work on the work terminal device's display, and the designation operation is performed by the worker selecting the installation location displayed on the display. In such a configuration, the worker can easily and reliably specify the installation location simply by selecting it from the display.

[0011] Furthermore, the gateway installation management method may be configured to include the steps of: obtaining input worker account information received by the work terminal device as worker account information issued to the worker; querying a second database that stores the worker to whom the worker account information has been issued and the installation site where the worker to whom the worker account information has been issued performs the construction work, thereby obtaining an installation site query result indicating the installation site associated with the input worker account information; and displaying the installation site indicated by the installation site query result on the display. In such a configuration, the installation site where the worker should perform the construction work can be accurately displayed on the display.

[0012] Furthermore, the gateway installation management method may be configured to include a step of accepting uploads of CSV files from a construction management device that stores a CSV file showing the association between workers for whom worker account information has been issued and the installation site where the worker for whom the worker account information has been issued performs construction work, and storing the CSV files in a second database. In such a configuration, workers and construction sites can be registered in the database by performing a simple task such as creating a CSV file and uploading it from the construction management device.

[0013] Furthermore, the gateway installation management method may include a step to determine whether the gateway ID obtained from the work terminal device is legitimate or not. If the gateway ID is determined to be legitimate, the installation location is displayed on the screen, while if the gateway ID is determined to be invalid, the installation location is not displayed on the screen. In such a configuration, the worker can be made to perform the installation work of installing the gateway device at the installation location only when the gateway ID is legitimate.

[0014] Furthermore, the gateway installation management method may be configured to include the steps of: querying a third database that stores the installation location and the connected equipment installed at the installation location in association with each other to obtain a connected equipment query result indicating the connected equipment associated with the installation location specified by the specified operation; checking the communication status between the gateway device specified by the specified operation and the connected equipment indicated by the connected equipment query result; and displaying the communication status on the display of the work terminal device. In such a configuration, the worker can easily grasp whether the construction work is being carried out appropriately by checking the communication status between the gateway device and the connected equipment.

[0015] Furthermore, the gateway installation and management method may be configured to display potential causes of poor communication status on the display. In such a configuration, the operator can easily understand the tasks required to resolve the poor communication status.

[0016] Various specific examples of connected devices can be envisioned. For example, the connected device could be a power conditioner or smart meter installed at the installation site.

[0017] Furthermore, the gateway installation management method may be configured to include a step of checking the communication status with the specified gateway device through a specified operation and displaying it on the display of the work terminal device. In such a configuration, the worker can easily understand whether the construction work is being carried out appropriately by checking the communication status with the gateway device.

[0018] Furthermore, the gateway installation and management method may be configured to display potential causes of poor communication status on the display. In such a configuration, the operator can easily understand the tasks required to resolve the poor communication status.

[0019] Furthermore, the gateway installation management method may be configured to further include a step of displaying a data monitor menu on the management terminal device's display, which shows the data collected by the gateway device registered in the first database. In such a configuration, the data collected by the gateway device installed at the installation site through the construction work can be confirmed via the data monitor menu.

[0020] Alternatively, the gateway installation management method may be configured such that the data monitor menu is not displayed on the management terminal's display until it confirms that the management terminal has received input for a designated administrator account, and then the data monitor menu is displayed on the management terminal's display once it confirms that the management terminal has received input for an administrator account. In such a configuration, the data monitor menu can be prevented from being displayed on the work terminal's display during construction work performed by an operator. As a result, only the information necessary for the construction work can be displayed to the operator, thereby reducing the likelihood of errors during construction work.

[0021] The gateway installation management program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the gateway installation management method described above. Therefore, even workers with limited expertise regarding gateway devices can easily and reliably perform the installation work of a gateway device at a location such as a private residence.

[0022] The recording medium according to the present invention records the gateway installation management program described above in a way that can be read by a computer. Therefore, even workers with limited expertise regarding gateway devices can easily and reliably perform the installation work of a gateway device at a location such as a private residence.

[0023] The gateway installation support method according to the present invention is a gateway installation support method for managing the construction work by an operator who installs a gateway device used for managing the power generation by a solar power generation device. The method includes a step of obtaining a gateway ID by reading, with a scanner, a code attached to the gateway device, indicating the gateway ID for identifying the gateway device; a step of receiving a designation operation by an operator who designates an installation location where the gateway device is to be installed; and a step of requesting registration in a database, in which the installation location designated by the designation operation is associated with the gateway ID.

[0024] The gateway installation support device according to the present invention is a gateway installation support device for managing the construction work by an operator who installs a gateway device used for managing the power generation by a solar power generation device. The device includes a scanner that obtains a gateway ID by reading a code attached to the gateway device, indicating the gateway ID for identifying the gateway device; an operation reception unit that receives a designation operation by an operator who designates an installation location where the gateway device is to be installed; and a registration request unit that requests registration in a database, in which the installation location designated by the designation operation is associated with the gateway ID.

[0025] According to the present invention (gateway installation support method and device) configured as described above, a code indicating a gateway ID for identifying the gateway device is attached to the gateway device. Then, the gateway ID is obtained by the scanner reading the code. Further, when receiving a designation operation by an operator who designates the installation location of the gateway device, the installation location and the gateway ID are associated and registered in the database. Therefore, an operator can execute the construction work of the gateway device required for associating the gateway device with the installation location and managing them in the database by reading the code with the scanner and designating the installation location. As a result, it becomes possible for an operator lacking expertise regarding the gateway device to easily and surely execute the construction work of installing the gateway device at an installation location such as a private residence.

[0026] The gateway installation support program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the above-described gateway installation support method. Therefore, even a worker lacking expertise regarding the gateway device can easily and surely execute the construction work of installing the gateway device at an installation site such as a private residence.

[0027] The recording medium according to the present invention records the above-described gateway installation support program in a manner readable by a computer. Therefore, even a worker lacking expertise regarding the gateway device can easily and surely execute the construction work of installing the gateway device at an installation site such as a private residence.

Effect of the Invention

[0028] As described above, according to the present invention, even a worker lacking expertise regarding the gateway device can easily and surely execute the construction work of installing the gateway device at an installation site such as a private residence.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1A] A block diagram showing a first example of a PPA service system capable of implementing the present invention. [Figure 1B] A block diagram showing a second example of a PPA service system capable of implementing the present invention. [Figure 2A] A block diagram showing an example of a service management device. [Figure 2B] A block diagram showing an example of a system management device. [Figure 2C] A block diagram showing an example of a construction management device. [Figure 2D] A block diagram showing an example of a construction contractor terminal. [Figure 3A] A diagram schematically showing an example of a management viewer used in the PPA service system. [Figure 3B] A diagram showing a menu that a user can use according to their account. [Figure 4A]A flowchart illustrating an example of construction management support provided by construction management companies. [Figure 4B] A schematic diagram showing the new construction site registration screen displayed in the management viewer for construction management support. [Figure 4C] This diagram schematically shows the construction site list change screen displayed by the management viewer for construction management support. [Figure 5A] A flowchart illustrating an example of construction work support provided by a contractor's terminal that assists in construction work performed by the contractor. [Figure 5B] A flowchart illustrating an example of construction work support provided by a system management device that assists construction contractors in their work. [Figure 5C] A schematic diagram showing the gateway new registration screen displayed in the management viewer to support construction work. [Figure 5D] A schematic diagram showing the operational status monitor screen displayed in the management viewer to support construction work. [Figure 6A] This diagram schematically shows the CSV data output list screen displayed in the management viewer for management purposes by the service provider. [Figure 6B] A schematic diagram showing the automatic output settings screen displayed in the management viewer for management purposes by the service provider. [Figure 6C] A schematic diagram showing the operational status monitor screen displayed in the management viewer for management purposes by the service provider. [Figure 6D] A schematic diagram illustrating account issuance and management displayed in the management viewer for administrative tasks performed by service providers. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation viewer for users at the installation site. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Figure 1A is a block diagram showing a first example of a PPA service system that can implement the present invention. The PPA service system 1 includes a service management device 2, a system management device 3, a construction management device 4, a contractor terminal 5, and a solar power generation system 6.

[0031] Service management device 2 is a computer used by service operator A2 to manage the operation of the PPA service business. System management device 3 is a computer used by system management company A3, which has been commissioned by service operator A2, to manage the installation and operation of the solar power generation system 6. Construction management device 4 is a computer used by construction management company A4, which has been commissioned by system management company A3, to manage the construction related to the installation of the solar power generation system 6. Note that service management device 2, system management device 3, and construction management device 4 do not need to be installed on the premises of each operator, and may be configured as cloud servers installed in a location separate from each operator's premises. Construction contractor terminal 5 is used by construction contractor A5, which has been commissioned by construction management company A4, to perform construction work related to the installation of the solar power generation system 6. The solar power generation system 6 is installed at installation site A6, such as a private residence.

[0032] The solar power generation system 6 comprises a solar power generation device 61 and a power conditioner 621. The solar power generation device 61 generates electricity by converting sunlight into electricity using solar panels. The solar power generation device 61 and the power conditioner 621 are connected by a power line Lp, and the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 61 is supplied to the power conditioner 621 via the power line Lp. The power conditioner 621 converts the electricity supplied from the solar power generation device 61 into electricity for household use. The power conditioner 621 is connected by a power line Lp to a distribution board A61 installed at installation site A6, and the electricity converted by the power conditioner 621 is supplied to the distribution board A61 via the power line Lp. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 1A, the power conditioner 621 has a function to measure the electricity supplied from the solar power generation device 61 (generated electricity) and outputs power generation related data Dg indicating the generated electricity.

[0033] In this way, the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 61 is supplied to the distribution board A61. The distribution board A61 is connected to various electronic devices A62 used at the installation site A6 by power lines Lp, and the electricity supplied from the power conditioner 621 to the distribution board A61 is supplied to the electronic devices A62 via power lines Lp. The electronic devices A62 operate using the electricity supplied from the distribution board A61.

[0034] A smart meter A63 is installed at installation site A6. The smart meter A63 is connected to the distribution board A61 by the power line Lp. Furthermore, the smart meter A63 is connected to external power transmission equipment (e.g., a pole-mounted transformer), which is not shown in the diagram, by the power purchase line Li and the power sales line Lo.

[0035] If the power supplied from the solar power generation device 61 to the distribution board A61 (generated power) is greater than the power supplied from the distribution board A61 to each electronic device A62 (power consumption), the surplus power is sold to the power company. In other words, the surplus power, which is generated power minus power consumption, is supplied from the distribution board A61 to the smart meter A63 via the power line Lp. This surplus power flows from the smart meter A63 to the external power transmission equipment via the power sales line Lo. In this way, the surplus power is sold to the power company. The smart meter A63 measures this surplus power as power sold and outputs power sales-related data Do indicating the power sold.

[0036] If the power supplied from the solar power generation device 61 to the distribution board A61 (generated power) is less than the power supplied from the distribution board A61 to the electronic equipment A62 (power consumption), the power company will purchase power from each device. In other words, the deficit power, which is power consumption minus generated power, is supplied from the smart meter A63 to the distribution board A61 via the power line Lp. This deficit power flows into the smart meter A63 from the external power transmission equipment via the power purchase line Li. In this way, the deficit power is purchased from the power company. The smart meter A63 measures this deficit power as purchased power and outputs power purchase-related data Di indicating the purchased power.

[0037] Furthermore, the solar power generation system 6 includes a gateway device 63. The gateway device 63 is connected to the power conditioner 621 via a network Nm. The network Nm is configured using Modbus and facilitates communication between the gateway device 63 and the power conditioner 621. The gateway device 63 obtains power generation-related data Dg output by the power conditioner 621 from the power conditioner 621 via the network Nm. The gateway device 63 also obtains additional information from the power conditioner 621 via the network Nm, such as the serial number and units of the power conditioner 621.

[0038] Furthermore, the gateway device 63 is connected to the smart meter A63 via the network Nw. The network Nw is configured as Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) and facilitates communication between the gateway device 63 and the smart meter A63. The gateway device 63 obtains power sales-related data Do and power purchase-related data Di output by the smart meter A63 from the smart meter A63 via the network Nw. In addition, the gateway device 63 obtains additional information from the smart meter A63, such as its serial number and units, via the network Nw.

[0039] The gateway device 63 is connected to the system management device 3 via network Nc. Network Nc consists of a mobile line or the internet and facilitates communication between the gateway device 63 and the system management device 3. The gateway device 63 transmits power generation-related data Dg, power sales-related data Do, and power purchase-related data Di to the system management device 3 via network Nc.

[0040] Figure 1B is a block diagram showing a second example of a PPA service system that embodies the present invention. The difference between the PPA service system 1 in Figure 1B and the PPA service system 1 in Figure 1A is that a power meter 622 is added, and the gateway device 63 is connected to the power meter 622 by a network Nm.

[0041] A power meter 622 is installed between the power conditioner 621 and the distribution board A61. The power conditioner 621 and the power meter 622 are connected by a power line Lp, and the power meter 622 and the distribution board A61 are also connected by a power line Lp. Power is supplied from the power conditioner 621 to the distribution board A61 via the power meter 622. The power conditioner 621 does not have the function of outputting generated power; the power meter 622 measures the generated power. In other words, the power meter 622 measures the power that passes through it from the power conditioner 621 to the distribution board A61 as generated power. The power meter 622 then outputs power generation related data Dg indicating the generated power.

[0042] Furthermore, the gateway device 63 is connected to the power meter 622 via the network Nm, rather than to the power conditioner 621. In other words, the gateway device 63 collects power generation-related data Dg output by the power meter 622 from the power meter 622 via the network Nm.

[0043] In the following, devices connected to the gateway device 63 via Modbus, such as the power conditioner 621 shown in Figure 1A and the power meter 622 shown in Figure 1B, will be collectively referred to as Modbus devices 62. In other words, in the PPA service system 1 of Figure 1A, the power conditioner 621 corresponds to a Modbus device 62, and in the PPA service system 1 of Figure 1B, the power meter 622 corresponds to a Modbus device 62.

[0044] Figure 2A is a block diagram showing an example of a service management device. The service management device 2 is a computer and comprises an arithmetic unit 21 and a storage unit 22. The arithmetic unit 21 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the storage unit 22 is a storage device such as an HHD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 22 stores a system management program P (system management application).

[0045] The service management device 2 includes a communication unit 23. The communication unit 23 is connected to the system management device 3 via the network Nc and communicates with the system management device 3. The communication unit 23 stores the system management program P downloaded from the system management device 3 via the network Nc in the storage unit 22.

[0046] The service management device 2 includes a display 24. The display 24 displays a screen corresponding to a command from the calculation unit 21. In other words, the calculation unit 21 executes a system management program P to display a screen on the display 24 that is used for the service operation work of the service operator A2. For example, the display 24 can display a screen that plots power generation-related data Dg, power sales-related data Do, or power purchase-related data Di in time series. Therefore, the service operator A2 can check the time changes in generated power, sold power, or purchased power on the screen of the display 34.

[0047] The service management device 2 is equipped with a UI 25. The UI 25 is a user interface that accepts user input operations. For example, the UI 25 can be configured using a mouse or keyboard.

[0048] Figure 2B is a block diagram showing an example of a system management device. The system management device 3 is a computer and comprises an arithmetic unit 31 and a storage unit 32. The arithmetic unit 31 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the storage unit 32 is a storage device such as an HHD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The system management program P is stored in the storage unit 32. Furthermore, the database DB is stored in the storage unit 32.

[0049] The system management device 3 includes a communication unit 33. The communication unit 33 is connected to the communication unit 23 of the service management device 2 via the network Nc and communicates with the service management device 2. The communication unit 33 is also connected to the gateway device 63 via the network Nc and communicates with the gateway device 63. The communication unit 33 receives power generation-related data Dg, power sales-related data Do, and power purchase-related data Di from the gateway device 63 via the network Nc and stores them in the storage unit 32.

[0050] The system management device 3 is equipped with a display 34. The display 34 displays a screen corresponding to the commands of the calculation unit 31. In other words, the calculation unit 31 executes the system management program P and displays a screen on the display 34 that is used for the system management operations of the system management company A3. For example, the display 34 can display a screen that plots power generation-related data Dg, power sales-related data Do, and power purchase-related data Di in time series. Therefore, the system management company A3 can check the time changes in generated power, sold power, or purchased power on the screen of the display 34.

[0051] The system management device 3 is equipped with a UI 35. The UI 35 is a user interface that accepts user input operations. For example, the UI 35 can be configured using a mouse or keyboard.

[0052] Figure 2C is a block diagram showing an example of a construction management device. The construction management device 4 is a computer and comprises a processing unit 41 and a storage unit 42. The processing unit 41 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the storage unit 42 is a storage device such as an HHD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0053] The construction management device 4 includes a communication unit 43. The communication unit 43 is connected to the communication unit 33 of the system management device 3 via the network Nc and communicates with the system management device 3. The communication unit 43 stores the system management program P downloaded from the system management device 3 via the network Nc in the storage unit 42.

[0054] The construction management device 4 is equipped with a display 44. The display 44 displays a screen in accordance with the commands of the calculation unit 41. In other words, the calculation unit 41 executes the system management program P and displays the screen used for the construction management work of the construction management company A4 on the display 44.

[0055] The construction management device 4 is equipped with a UI45. The UI45 is a user interface that accepts input operations from the user. For example, the UI45 can be configured using a mouse or keyboard.

[0056] Figure 2D is a block diagram showing an example of a contractor's terminal. The contractor's terminal 5 is a mobile computer such as a smartphone, and is equipped with an arithmetic unit 51 and a storage unit 52. The arithmetic unit 51 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the storage unit 52 is a storage device such as an HHD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0057] The contractor terminal 5 is equipped with a communication unit 53. The communication unit 53 is connected to the communication unit 33 of the system management device 3 via the network Nc and communicates with the system management device 3. The communication unit 53 stores the system management program P downloaded from the system management device 3 via the network Nc in the storage unit 52.

[0058] The contractor terminal 5 is equipped with a display 54. The display 54 displays a screen in accordance with the commands of the arithmetic unit 51. In other words, the arithmetic unit 51 executes the system management program P to display the screen used for the contractor A5's construction work on the display 54. This display 54 is a touch panel display, and the contractor A5 can perform input operations by touching the display 54 with their finger.

[0059] The contractor terminal 5 is equipped with a UI 55. The UI 55 is a user interface that accepts input operations from the user. In the contractor terminal 5, which is a mobile computer, the display 54 and the UI 55 are integrated by a touch panel display. Furthermore, the contractor terminal 5 is equipped with a camera 56 for capturing images and reading codes.

[0060] Figure 3A schematically shows an example of a management viewer used in a PPA service system. The management viewer 7 in Figure 3A is displayed on the display according to the system management program P. In other words, the service management device 2 displays the management viewer 7 on the display 24 by executing the system management program P using the calculation unit 21. The system management device 3 displays the management viewer 7 on the display 34 by executing the system management program P using the calculation unit 31. The construction management device 4 displays the management viewer 7 on the display 44 by executing the system management program P using the calculation unit 41. The contractor terminal 5 displays the management viewer 7 on the display 54 by executing the system management program P using the calculation unit 51.

[0061] In this context, when the arithmetic units 21, 31, 41, and 51 are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "arithmetic units" without any designation. Similarly, when the displays 24, 34, 44, and 54 are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "displays" without any designation. Furthermore, when the UIs 25, 35, 45, and 55 are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "UIs" without any designation.

[0062] The management viewer 7 displayed on the screen includes a display window 70 that shows the contents. Furthermore, the management viewer 7 includes an operation status monitor menu 71, a CSV data output menu 72, a construction site registration menu 73, a menu for construction contractors 74, a system management menu 75, and an account issuance management menu 76. The display window 70 displays the contents corresponding to the menu selected from the various menus 71 to 76.

[0063] When the UI receives an operation to select the operational status monitor menu 71, the calculation unit displays the operational status in the display window 70. For example, power-related data such as power generation-related data Dg, power sales-related data Do, or power purchase-related data Di are displayed in the display window 70.

[0064] When the UI receives an operation to select the CSV data output menu 72, the calculation unit displays a screen in the display window 70 for downloading power-related data in CSV format.

[0065] When the UI receives an operation to select the installation site registration menu 73, the calculation unit displays a screen in the display window 70 for registering the installation site A6 where the installation work for the gateway device 63 will be carried out.

[0066] When the UI receives an operation to select the contractor menu 74, the calculation unit displays a screen in the display window 70 to support the contractor's construction work. Specifically, the display window 70 displays a screen for registering the gateway device 63 that will be the target of the construction work and a screen showing the communication status of the gateway device 63.

[0067] When the UI receives an operation to select the system management menu 75, the calculation unit displays a screen in the display window 70 for configuring settings for management by the service management device 2.

[0068] When the UI receives an operation to select the account issuance management menu 76, the calculation unit displays the screen for managing account issuance in the display window 70.

[0069] This management viewer 7 is used by the service operator A2, system administrator A3, construction management company A4, and construction contractor A5. However, the menus available in management viewer 7 differ depending on the user. Specifically, each user is issued an account, and the menus available differ depending on which account is used to log in to management viewer 7.

[0070] Figure 3B shows the menus that a user can access depending on their account. In Figure 3B, black hatched circles indicate menus that are available, and white circles indicate menus that are available with restrictions.

[0071] When logging into Management Viewer 7 with an administrator account, all menus 71-76 are available. This administrator is the person responsible for the overall management of PPA Service System 1. When logging into Management Viewer 7 with System Administrator A3's account, menus 71-74 and 76 are available, and menu 75 is available with restrictions. Specifically, the use of system management menu 75 is limited to issuing administrator accounts. When logging into Management Viewer 7 with Service Operator A2's account, menu 71 is available, and menu 72 is available with restrictions. Specifically, the use of CSV data output menu 72 is limited to settings. When logging into Management Viewer 7 with Construction Management Operator A4's account, menus 71, 73, and 74 are available. When logging into Management Viewer 7 with Construction Contractor A5's account, menu 74 is available.

[0072] By the way, in order to widely distribute the PPA service system 1, it is necessary to install gateway devices 63 at each of the numerous installation locations A6 (for example, several thousand to tens of thousands). Therefore, it is not practical for the service operator A2 to carry out the installation work of gateway devices 63 at each installation location A6 itself. Accordingly, the service operator A2 entrusts the installation work of the gateway devices 63 to the construction management company A4, and the construction management company A4 further entrusts the installation work to construction companies A5 (such as general contractors) in the region to which the installation locations A6 belong. In response, the system management company A3 supports the construction management by construction management company A4 and the installation work by construction companies A5 through the system management device 3. Next, we will explain this point.

[0073] Figure 4A is a flowchart showing an example of construction management support provided by a construction management company; Figure 4B is a schematic diagram showing the new construction site registration screen displayed in the management viewer for construction management support; and Figure 4C is a schematic diagram showing the construction site list change screen displayed by the management viewer for construction management support.

[0074] Construction management company A4 manages contractor A5, who is entrusted with the installation work of the gateway device 63 at installation site A6, for all installation sites A6 that are under the responsibility of construction management company A4. In particular, the construction management support shown in Figure 4A assists in registering installation sites A6 and contractor A5, who will perform the installation work at installation site A6, into a database DB. This construction management support is executed by the calculation unit 41 of the construction management device 4 according to the system management program P.

[0075] In step S101, the calculation unit 41 of the construction management device 4 checks whether the UI 45 has accepted the login operation with the account of construction management company A4. If the login operation with the said account is confirmed (YES in step S101), the calculation unit 41 displays the management viewer 7 on the display 44, showing the menus 71, 73, and 74 that are permitted for the account of construction management company A4 (step S102).

[0076] As a result, the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 4B is displayed on the display 44. In the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 4B, the new registration menu is selected from the pull-down menu of the construction site registration menu 73. Therefore, the display window 70 shows the new registration screen 731 for registering a new installation site A6 and a construction contractor A5 that will perform the installation work at the said installation site A6. The new registration screen 731 includes a directory input field 732 for entering the directory of a CSV file in which the installation site A6 and construction contractor A5 are entered in a predetermined format, and a construction site registration button 733 for registering the said CSV file.

[0077] Incidentally, the CSV file is created by construction management contractor A4. Specifically, construction management contractor A4 downloads a sample CSV file from system management device 3 to construction management device 4. By entering the information into this sample, a CSV file is created with the information entered according to a predetermined format. This CSV file corresponds to the construction site list 735 shown in Figure 4C, which will be described later.

[0078] As shown in Figure 4C, the installation site list 735 shows items such as group, contractor, installation site, GWID, B-route authentication ID and password, and Modbus device profile. The group indicates the region to which installation site A6 belongs, the contractor indicates the contractor performing the installation work at installation site A6, the installation site indicates the name that identifies installation site A6, the GWID indicates the gateway ID that identifies the gateway device 63 installed at installation site A6. Note that the GWID is blank at this stage because it will be registered in the installation site list 735 by the installation work support (Figure 5A) described later. The ID and password indicate the ID and password for B-route authentication, respectively. The Modbus device profile indicates the profile of the Modbus device 62 connected by network Nm at installation site A6.

[0079] The B-route authentication ID and password are necessary for the gateway device 63 to communicate with the smart meter A63, and are issued by the power company upon application by the owner of the installation site A6. Service operator A2 obtains the B-route authentication ID and password from the owner of installation site A6 and informs construction management company A4. Construction management company A4 enters the B-route authentication ID and password provided by service operator A2 into a CSV file.

[0080] When a directory is entered into the directory input field 732 shown in Figure 4B, the calculation unit 41 determines that a CSV import has been requested ("YES" in step S103 of Figure 4A) and imports the CSV file for that directory. Next, the calculation unit 41 determines whether the format of the imported CSV file is appropriate. Specifically, it checks whether the Modbus device profile settings are appropriate and whether the number of digits and character types of the B-route authentication ID and password are appropriate. If the calculation unit 41 determines that the format of the CSV file is appropriate, it activates the update registration button 736. This makes it possible to select the installation destination registration button 733.

[0081] Then, when the UI45 receives the operation to select the construction site registration button 733, the calculation unit 41 uploads this CSV file to the system management device 3 via the communication unit 43 (step S104). As a result, the system management device 3 registers the CSV file received by the communication unit 33 in the database DB of the storage unit 32. In this way, a CSV file showing the correspondence between the installation site A6 and the construction contractor A5 that will perform the construction work at the installation site A6 (i.e., the construction site list 735) is registered in the database DB.

[0082] In the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 4C, the "List / Change" menu is selected from the pull-down menu of the construction site registration menu 73. Therefore, the display window 70 displays a construction site list 735 that associates installation site A6 with the construction contractor A5 that will perform the construction work at installation site A6. In other words, the construction site list 735 corresponds to the contents of the CSV file registered in step S104. Also, the display window 70 displays an update registration button 736.

[0083] When UI45 receives a change operation for the construction site list 735, the calculation unit 41 makes the corresponding changes to the construction site list 735. Then, when UI45 receives an operation to select the update registration button 736, the communication unit 43 uploads the changes made by the change operation to the system management device 3. The system management device 3 reflects the changes received by the communication unit 33 in the construction site list 735 stored in the database DB of the storage unit 32. In this way, the construction site list 735 registered in the database DB of the storage unit 32 is changed. In addition, the management viewer 7 displays an operation item for deleting elements from the construction site list 735, and when UI45 receives an operation to select an operation item, the element corresponding to that operation item is deleted from the construction site list 735.

[0084] Figure 5A is a flowchart showing an example of construction work support by a contractor's terminal that assists in construction work by a contractor; Figure 5B is a flowchart showing an example of construction work support by a system management device that assists in construction work by a contractor; Figure 5C is a schematic diagram showing the gateway new registration screen displayed on the management viewer for construction work support; and Figure 5D is a schematic diagram showing the operation status monitor screen displayed on the management viewer for construction work support. The construction work support in Figure 5A is executed by the calculation unit 51 of the contractor's terminal 5 according to the system management program P, and the construction work support in Figure 5B is executed by the calculation unit 31 of the system management device 3 according to the system management program P. Furthermore, the construction work support in Figures 5A and 5B is performed, for example, when the contractor installs the gateway device 63 at installation site A6 and connects it to the Modbus device 62 and smart meter A63.

[0085] In step S201, the calculation unit 51 of the contractor terminal 5 checks whether the UI 55 has accepted the operation to log in with the contractor A5's account. If the login operation with the said account is confirmed ("YES" in step S201), the calculation unit 51 displays the management viewer 7 on the display 54, which shows the menus 74 that are permitted for the contractor A5's account (step S202).

[0086] As a result, the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 5C is displayed on the display 54. In the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 5C, the gateway new registration screen 741, which corresponds to the new registration menu among the contractor menus 74, is displayed in the display window 70. The gateway new registration screen 741 includes a camera image display section 742, a gateway ID input field 743, a group selection pull-down menu 744a, a construction site selection pull-down menu 744b, and an ID registration button 745.

[0087] When the calculation unit 51 determines that the camera 56 has captured an image of the two-dimensional code C (e.g., QR code®) attached to the gateway device 63 ("YES" in step S203), it accesses the URL indicated by the two-dimensional code C via the communication unit 53. This URL is assigned to the database DB of the system management device 3, and in step S204, the contractor terminal 5 accesses the database DB of the system management device 3. This enables the contractor terminal 5 to perform queries (inquiries) to the database DB of the system management device 3. In other words, the system management device 3 executes the subsequent steps of the construction work support shown in Figure 5A in response to queries to the database DB from the contractor terminal 5.

[0088] In step S205, the calculation unit 51 attempts to read the gateway ID of the gateway device 63 indicated by the two-dimensional code C. Specifically, the two-dimensional code C is generated by encoding the above URL and a string indicating the gateway ID listed as a query parameter. The calculation unit 51 reads the gateway ID by decoding the query parameter contained in the two-dimensional code C. If the reading of the gateway ID is successful, the calculation unit 51 inputs and displays the gateway ID in the gateway ID input field 743. The calculation unit 51 also displays the image containing the two-dimensional code C captured by the camera 56 on the camera image display unit 742. The display window 70 displays text prompting the contractor to confirm whether the gateway ID indicated in the image on the camera image display unit 742 matches the gateway ID indicated in the gateway ID input field 743. Therefore, if there is an error in the display in the gateway ID input field 743, the contractor can input the gateway ID into the gateway ID input field 743 by correcting the display. Furthermore, if reading the gateway ID fails, the operator can check the image on the camera image display unit 742 and enter the gateway ID into the gateway ID input field 743.

[0089] The calculation unit 51 transmits the gateway ID entered in the gateway ID input field 743 to the system management device 3 and queries the database DB to check whether the gateway ID is a valid ID (step S206). If the system management device 3 replies that the gateway ID is not a valid ID (if the answer is "NO" in step S206), the calculation unit 51 terminates the construction work support shown in Figure 5A. On the other hand, if the system management device 3 replies that the gateway ID is a valid ID (if the answer is "YES" in step S206), the process proceeds to step S207.

[0090] In step S207, the calculation unit 51 sends the account used for login in step S201 from the communication unit 53 to the system management device 3 and queries the database DB to check whether the contractor has access rights to the account. If the system management device 3 replies that the contractor does not have access rights (if the answer is "NO" in step S207), the calculation unit 51 terminates the construction work support shown in Figure 5A. On the other hand, if the system management device 3 replies that the contractor has access rights (if the answer is "YES" in step S207), the process proceeds to step S208.

[0091] In step S208, the calculation unit 51 transmits the contractor's account used for login in step S201 from the communication unit 53 to the system management device 3 and queries the database DB for installation location A6 associated with the contractor of that account. In response, the system management device 3 transmits the installation location information for installation location A6 associated with the contractor of that account from the communication unit 33 to the contractor terminal 5 using the installation location list 735 (CSV file) registered in the database DB. The installation location information includes at least the group (region) and name of installation location A6. The calculation unit 51 then adds the installation location information to the group selection pulldown menu 744a and the installation location selection pulldown menu 744b.

[0092] This allows the contractor to select the region of installation location A6 from the group selection pull-down menu 744a and the name of installation location A6 from the installation location selection pull-down menu 744b. When the UI 55 receives the operation to select the ID registration button 745 (YES in step S209), the calculation unit 51 sends a registration request to the system management device 3 requesting registration of the gateway ID displayed in the gateway ID input field 743 (step S210). This registration request includes the gateway ID displayed in the gateway ID input field 743, the group selected in the group selection pull-down menu 744a, and the name of installation location A6 selected in the installation location selection pull-down menu 744b.

[0093] As shown in Figure 5B, when the calculation unit 31 of the system management device 3 confirms receipt of the registration request by the communication unit 33 (YES in step S301), it registers the above information included in the registration request into the construction site list 735 (CSV file) stored in the database DB of the storage unit 32. In other words, the calculation unit 31 registers the gateway ID included in the registration request in the GWID column corresponding to the group and installation site A6 name included in the registration request.

[0094] In step S303, the calculation unit 31 transmits installation device information regarding the Modbus equipment 62 and smart meter A63 installed at installation site A6, where the gateway ID was registered in step S302, to the gateway device 63 at installation site A6 via the communication unit 33. The installation device information is verified using the installation site list 735 (CSV file) stored in the database DB of the storage unit 32. This installation device information includes the Modbus equipment profile, B-route authentication ID and password.

[0095] Based on the installed equipment information, the gateway device 63 attempts to communicate with the Modbus device 62 and the smart meter A63 connected to it. This allows the gateway device 63 to diagnose the communication status between the gateway device 63 and the Modbus device 62, and between the gateway device 63 and the smart meter A63. When the communication unit 33 receives the diagnosis result from the gateway device 63 (YES in step S304), the calculation unit 31 transmits the diagnosis result from the communication unit 33 to the contractor terminal 5 (step S305).

[0096] As shown in Figure 5A, when the calculation unit 51 of the contractor terminal 5 sends a registration request from the communication unit 53 to the system management device 3 (step S210), the operation status monitor 746 shown in Figure 5D is displayed on the management viewer 7 (step S211). The operation status monitor 746 includes a diagnostic result display unit 747 and an error cause candidate display unit 748. The diagnostic result display unit 747 displays the diagnostic result of the gateway device 63 that was the subject of the communication status diagnosis. The error cause candidate display unit 748 displays candidate causes for the diagnostic result being an error.

[0097] The diagnostic result display unit 747 includes a group display field 747a, an installation location name display field 747b, a gateway ID display field 747c, a system alarm display field 747d, a cloud-to-cloud communication radio wave status display field 747e, a cloud-to-cloud communication connection status display field 747f, a Wi-SUN communication radio wave status display field 747g, a Wi-SUN communication connection status display field 747h, a Modbus communication connection status display field 747i, and a detailed confirmation field 747j.

[0098] The group display field 747a displays the group (region) to which the gateway device 63's installation location A6 belongs. The installation location name display field 747b displays the name of the gateway device 63's installation location A6. The gateway ID display field 747c displays the gateway ID (GWID) of the gateway device 63. The system alarm display field 747d displays whether or not there is an abnormality in the solar power generation system 6 at the gateway device 63's installation location A6.

[0099] The inter-cloud communication radio wave status display section 747e and the inter-cloud communication connection status display section 747f indicate the communication status between the system management device 3 and the gateway device 63. This communication status includes the strength of the communication radio waves and whether or not a connection has been established via the communication radio waves. In other words, the inter-cloud communication radio wave status display section 747e indicates the strength of the communication radio waves between the system management device 3 and the gateway device 63, and the inter-cloud communication connection status display section 747f indicates whether or not a connection has been established between the system management device 3 and the gateway device 63.

[0100] The Wi-SUN communication radio wave status display section 747g and the Wi-SUN communication connection status display section 747h indicate the communication status between the gateway device 63 and the smart meter A63. This communication status includes the strength of the communication radio waves and whether or not a connection has been established via the communication radio waves. In other words, the Wi-SUN communication radio wave status display section 747g indicates the strength of the communication radio waves between the gateway device 63 and the smart meter A63, and the Wi-SUN communication connection status display section 747h indicates whether or not a connection has been established between the gateway device 63 and the smart meter A63.

[0101] The Modbus communication connection status display section 747i indicates the communication status between the gateway device 63 and the Modbus device 62. In other words, the Modbus communication connection status display section 747i indicates whether the connection between the gateway device 63 and the Modbus device 62 has been successfully established.

[0102] Furthermore, when UI45 receives an operation to select the detailed confirmation field 747j, the detailed diagnostic results for the gateway device 63 are displayed in the display window 70.

[0103] Furthermore, if any one of the following—the cloud-to-cloud communication connection status display 747f, the Wi-SUN communication connection status display 747h, or the Modbus communication connection status display 747i—shows an abnormality (communication establishment failure), then the system alarm display 747d will also show an abnormality. In other words, the system alarm display 747d will show a normal status only when all of these indicate normality (communication establishment success).

[0104] The error cause candidate display unit 748 displays, in text format, the possible causes of the abnormality in the object diagnosed as abnormal (in this example, the Modbus communication connection status). In other words, the error cause candidate display unit 748 shows contractor A5 the possible repair work to resolve the abnormality. Note that the display format of the error cause candidate display unit 748 is not limited to text; it may also use designs such as pictures or marks.

[0105] Then, whenever the communication unit 53 receives a diagnostic result from the system management device 3 for the gateway device 63 (if "YES" is selected in step S212), the calculation unit 51 updates the display on the operation status monitor 746 on the display 54 according to the diagnostic result (step S213). The calculation unit 51 also updates the last data acquisition time on the operation status monitor 746.

[0106] Contractor A5, who is performing the installation work to install the gateway device 63 at installation site A6, can perform the installation work while checking the operational status monitor 746 displayed on the display 54 of the contractor terminal 5. Contractor A5 restarts the gateway device 63 after performing the repair work according to the display of the error cause candidate display unit 748. The restarted gateway device 63 sends the diagnostic results to the system management unit 3, and the system management unit 3 sends the diagnostic results received from the gateway device 63 to the contractor terminal 5. The operational status monitor 746 displayed on the display 54 of the contractor terminal 5 is then updated. This process is repeated until the display in the system alarm display field 747d becomes normal, thereby completing the installation (installation work) of the gateway device 63 at installation site A6 by contractor A5. Contractor A5 then reports the completion of the installation work to the service operator A2.

[0107] Once the installation of the gateway device 63 is complete, the gateway device 63 collects operational status data (i.e., power generation-related data Dg, power sales-related data Do, and power purchase-related data Di) indicating the operating status of the solar power generation system 6 and uploads it to the database DB. Therefore, the service management device 2 can display the operational status data on the display 24 by querying the database DB. As a result, the service operator A2 can perform management tasks for the operational status of the solar power generation system 6 while checking the display 24. A specific example of management tasks using the service management device 2 is as follows.

[0108] Figure 6A schematically shows the CSV data output list screen displayed in the management viewer for management operations by the service operator. In the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 6A, the automatic output list menu is selected from the pull-down menu of the CSV data output menu 72. Therefore, the display window 70 shows the CSV data output list screen 721, which shows a list of CSV data collected by the system management device 3 from the gateway devices 63 of each installation location A6. When the UI 25 receives an operation to the CSV data output list screen 721, such as selecting a checkbox on the CSV data output list screen 721 and selecting the button indicating manual download, the calculation unit 21 downloads the CSV data selected by the checkbox from the system management device 3 via the communication unit 23.

[0109] Figure 6B schematically shows the automatic output settings screen displayed in the management viewer for management operations by the service operator. In the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 6B, the automatic output settings menu is selected from the pull-down menu of the CSV data output menu 72. Therefore, the automatic output settings screen 722 for configuring CSV data output settings is shown in the display window 70. When the UI 25 receives an operation to the automatic output settings screen 722, which involves selecting data output conditions such as execution timing, target period, and target group, and then selecting the button indicating to save the settings, the calculation unit 21 saves these data output conditions to the storage unit 22. Thereafter, the calculation unit 21 automatically outputs CSV data according to these data output conditions.

[0110] Figure 6C schematically shows the operational status monitor screen displayed in the management viewer for management operations by the service operator. In the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 6C, the operational status monitor menu 71 is selected. Therefore, the operational status monitor screen 711 is displayed in the display window 70. The operational status monitor screen 711 shows the group (region) to which installation site A6 belongs, the contractor that performed the installation work at installation site A6, the name of installation site A6, the gateway ID (GWID) of the gateway device 63 installed at installation site A6, and the diagnostic results side by side. The diagnostic results show the same content as the system alarm display field 747d, the inter-cloud communication radio wave status display field 747e, the inter-cloud communication connection status display field 747f, the Wi-SUN communication radio wave status display field 747g, the Wi-SUN communication connection status display field 747h, and the Modbus communication connection status display field 747i described above.

[0111] Figure 6D is a schematic diagram illustrating account issuance management displayed in the management viewer for management operations by the service provider. In the management viewer 7 shown in Figure 6D, the account issuance management menu 76 is selected. Therefore, the account management screen 761 is displayed in the display window 70. The account management screen 761 displays user account information such as the name of the user to whom the account has been issued, the user's address, and the user's email address. Furthermore, the account management screen 761 displays operation items for editing and deleting alongside the user account information. Therefore, when the UI 25 receives an operation to select an operation item, the calculation unit 21 executes the operation (edit or delete) on the user account information according to the content of the operation item. The account management screen 761 also includes a button labeled "New User Registration". Therefore, when the UI 25 receives an operation to select this button, the calculation unit 21 adds a new user account according to the operation received by the UI 25.

[0112] Furthermore, the operating status of the solar power generation system 6 can be checked by the user at the installation site A6. Figure 7 schematically shows an example of a confirmation viewer for the user at the installation site. The confirmation viewer 8 in Figure 7 is displayed on the screen of a mobile device such as a smartphone owned by the user. In other words, the processing unit (processor) of the mobile device executes the system management program P, causing the confirmation viewer 8 to be displayed on the screen.

[0113] When the system management program P (system management app) is launched, the login screen 81 is displayed in the confirmation viewer 8. When the user enters their email address and password and selects the button indicating "Sign In" on the login screen 81, the user can selectively display the power sales confirmation screen 82, the power purchase confirmation screen 83, and the graph confirmation screen 84 in the confirmation viewer 8. The power sales confirmation screen 82 displays the amount of electricity sold to the power company and the amount consumed at home. The power purchase confirmation screen 83 displays the amount of electricity purchased from the power company and consumed at home. The graph confirmation screen 84 shows the amount of electricity generated by the solar power generation device 61 (solar panels) in chronological order. In other words, the calculation unit 51 of the contractor terminal 5 displays the power sales confirmation screen 82, the power purchase confirmation screen 83, and the graph confirmation screen 84 on the display 54 based on the power generation related data Dg, power sales related data Do, and power purchase related data Di downloaded from the database DB of the system management device 3.

[0114] According to the embodiment described above, a two-dimensional code C (code) indicating a gateway ID that identifies the gateway device 63 is attached to the gateway device 63. The gateway ID obtained by the contractor terminal 5 reading the two-dimensional code C with the camera 56 (scanner) is then transmitted from the contractor terminal 5 to the system management device 3 (steps S203-S205, S210). Furthermore, when the contractor terminal 5 receives a designation operation from the contractor to specify the installation location A6 for the gateway device 63 (steps S209-S210), the installation location A6 and the gateway ID are associated and registered in the database DB (first database) (steps S301-S302). Therefore, the contractor can perform the installation work of the gateway device 63 required to manage the gateway device 63 and installation location A6 in the database DB by reading the two-dimensional code C with the camera 56 and specifying the installation location A6. As a result, even contractors with limited expertise regarding the gateway device 63 can easily and reliably perform the installation work of the gateway device 63 at installation locations A6, such as private residences.

[0115] Furthermore, the installation location A6 where the contractor using the contractor terminal 5 will perform the installation work is displayed on the display 54 of the contractor terminal 5 (pull-down menus 744a, 744b) (step S208). The contractor then performs the operation to specify the installation location A6 by selecting the installation location A6 displayed on the display 54. In this configuration, the contractor can easily and reliably specify the installation location A6 simply by selecting it from the display 54.

[0116] Furthermore, the input account (input worker account information) received by the contractor terminal 5 in step S201 is transmitted from the contractor terminal 5 to the system management device 3 (step S207). Then, by querying the database DB (second database) which stores a list of installation locations 735 that associates the contractor to whom an account has been issued with the installation location A6 to which the worker to whom the account has been issued will perform the installation work, the installation location A6 associated with the contractor of the input account (installation location query result) is obtained. This installation location A6 is then displayed on the display 54 (pull-down menus 744a, 744b) (step S208). With this configuration, the installation location A6 to which the contractor should perform the installation work can be accurately displayed on the display 54.

[0117] Furthermore, the system management device 3 accepts CSV file uploads from the construction management device 4, which stores the CSV file showing the construction site list 735, and stores the CSV file in the database DB (second database). In this configuration, the construction site list 735 can be registered in the database DB by performing a simple task on the construction management device 4, such as creating a CSV file and uploading it from the construction management device 4 to the system management device 3.

[0118] Furthermore, the system management device 3 determines whether the gateway ID obtained from the contractor's terminal 5 is legitimate or not (step S206). If the gateway ID is determined to be legitimate (if the answer is "YES" in step S206), the installation location A6 is displayed on the display 54 (step S208). On the other hand, if the gateway ID is determined to be invalid (if the answer is "NO" in step S206), the installation location A6 is not displayed on the display 54. In this configuration, the contractor can only be made to perform the installation work of installing the gateway device 63 at installation location A6 if the gateway ID is legitimate.

[0119] Furthermore, the database DB (third database) stores the installation site list 735. This installation site list 735 associates installation site A6 with the Modbus equipment 62 installed at installation site A6. In addition, the installation site list 735 associates installation site A6 with the smart meter A63 installed at installation site A6. Specifically, in the installation site list 735, the Modbus equipment 62 is represented by a Modbus equipment profile and associated with installation site A6, and the smart meter A63 is represented by a B-route authentication ID and password and associated with installation site A6. In response, the system management device 3 queries the database DB for the Modbus equipment 62 and gateway device 63 associated with installation site A6, which were requested to be registered in step S210 (steps S301, S303). The system management device 3 then checks the communication status between the Modbus device 62 and gateway device 63 indicated by the inquiry result and the gateway device 63 for which registration was requested in step S210 (steps S303-S304). The system management device 3 then displays the communication status on the diagnostic result display unit 747 of the display 54 of the contractor's terminal 5 (step S305). In this configuration, the contractor can easily determine whether the construction work is being carried out appropriately by checking the communication status between the Modbus device 62 and smart meter A63 and the gateway device 63.

[0120] Furthermore, if the communication status is poor, possible causes of the problem are displayed on the error cause candidate display unit 748 on the display 54. With this configuration, the contractor can easily understand the work required to resolve the communication status problem.

[0121] Furthermore, the system management device 3 checks the communication status with the gateway device 63, which was requested to be registered in step S208, and displays the result on the diagnostic result display unit 747 of the display 54 of the contractor's terminal 5. In this configuration, the contractor can easily determine whether the construction work is being carried out appropriately by checking the communication status between the system management device 3 and the gateway device 63.

[0122] Furthermore, if the communication status is poor, possible causes of the problem are displayed on the error cause candidate display unit 748 on the display 54. With this configuration, the contractor can easily understand the work required to resolve the communication status problem.

[0123] Furthermore, a management viewer 7, which displays the data collected by the gateway device 63 registered in the database DB (first database), is displayed on the display 24 of the service management device 2 (management terminal device) (Figures 6A to 6D). In this configuration, the data collected by the gateway device 63 installed at installation site A6 during construction work can be confirmed by the management viewer 7.

[0124] Both the service management device 2 and the contractor terminal 5 display the management viewer 7 on displays 24 and 54, respectively, according to the same system management program P. However, the menus that can be displayed on the management viewer 7 are limited according to the permissions shown in Figure 3B. Specifically, the operation status monitor menu 71 (data monitor menu) is not displayed on the service management device 2's display 24 until the input of a designated administrator account is confirmed. On the other hand, once the input of an administrator account is confirmed, the operation status monitor menu 71 is displayed on the service management device 2's display 24. In this configuration, the operation status monitor menu 71 is not displayed on the contractor terminal 5's display 54 when the contractor is performing construction work. As a result, only the information necessary for the construction work can be displayed to the contractor, thereby reducing the occurrence of errors in the contractor's construction work.

[0125] Furthermore, a two-dimensional code C indicating a gateway ID that identifies the gateway device 63 is attached to the gateway device 63. The gateway ID is obtained when the camera 56 (scanner) reads the two-dimensional code C. When the contractor specifies the installation location A6 for the gateway device 63 (step S209), the installation location A6 and the gateway ID are associated and registered in the database DB. Therefore, the contractor can perform the installation work of the gateway device 63 required to associate the gateway device 63 with the installation location A6 and manage it in the database DB by reading the two-dimensional code C with the camera 56 and specifying the installation location A6. As a result, even contractors with little specialized knowledge of the gateway device 63 can easily and reliably perform the installation work of installing the gateway device 63 at an installation location A6 such as a private residence.

[0126] In the embodiments described above, the calculation unit 31 of the system management device 3 executes the "gateway installation management method" of the present invention by executing the system management program P, the calculation unit 51 of the contractor terminal 5 executes the "gateway installation support method" of the present invention by executing the system management program P, the solar power generation device 61 corresponds to an example of the "solar power generation device" of the present invention, the gateway device 63 corresponds to an example of the "gateway device" of the present invention, the contractor terminal 5 corresponds to an example of the "work terminal device" of the present invention, the installation site A6 corresponds to an example of the "installation site" of the present invention, the database DB corresponds to an example of the "first database" of the present invention, the two-dimensional code C corresponds to an example of the "code" of the present invention, the camera 56 corresponds to an example of the "scanner" of the present invention, the database DB corresponds to an example of the "second database" of the present invention, and Modbus equipment Each of 62 and smart meter A63 corresponds to an example of the "connection device" of the present invention, the database DB corresponds to an example of the "third database" of the present invention, the operation status monitor menu 71 corresponds to an example of the "data monitor menu" of the present invention, the system management program P corresponds to an example of the "gateway installation management program" of the present invention, the system management device 3 corresponds to an example of the "gateway installation management device" of the present invention, the communication unit 33 corresponds to an example of the "identifier acquisition unit" of the present invention, the calculation unit 31 corresponds to an example of the "identifier registration unit" of the present invention, the system management program P corresponds to an example of the "gateway installation support program" of the present invention, the contractor terminal 5 corresponds to an example of the "gateway installation support device" of the present invention, the UI 55 corresponds to an example of the "operation reception unit" of the present invention, and the communication unit 53 corresponds to an example of the "registration request unit" of the present invention.

[0127] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the system management program P is downloaded from the system management device 3 to the contractor terminal 5. However, the download of the system management program P may be performed not from the system management device 3 of the system management company A3, but from, for example, the server computer of the company providing the service for the contractor terminal 5 (smartphone). The same applies to the download of the system management program P to the construction management device 4.

[0128] Furthermore, the specific method of uploading data showing the correspondence between installation site A6 and construction company A5 to the system management device 3 is not limited to uploading a CSV file as in the example above. In other words, data may also be uploaded using an API (Application Programming Interface) provided in the system management device 3. For example, data may be uploaded by linking data in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. [Industrial applicability]

[0129] This invention is applicable to green technologies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions through the use of solar power generation equipment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0130] 3…System management device 31...Arithmetic section 33… Communications Department 5…Contractor terminal 51...Arithmetic section 53... Communications Department 55…UI 56... Camera 61…Solar power generation equipment 62…Modbus equipment 621... Power conditioner 622…Power meter 63…Gateway device 71... Operation Status Monitor Menu A6…Installation location A63... Smart Meter C... 2D code DB...Database P... System Management Program

Claims

1. A gateway installation management method for managing the construction work performed by workers installing gateway devices used for managing power generation by solar power generation equipment, When the work terminal device used by the worker for the construction work acquires a gateway ID that identifies the gateway device installed by the worker, the worker obtains the gateway ID from the work terminal device. When the work terminal device receives a designation operation by the worker to specify the installation location for the gateway device, it registers the installation location specified by the designation operation and the gateway ID in the first database. Equipped with, The gateway device is assigned a code indicating the gateway ID. The aforementioned work terminal device is a gateway installation management method that obtains the gateway ID by reading the code with a scanner.

2. The process further includes displaying the installation location where the worker using the work terminal device will perform the construction work on the display of the work terminal device, The gateway installation management method according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned designation operation is performed by the operator selecting the installation location displayed on the display.

3. The process of obtaining the input worker account information received by the work terminal device as worker account information issued to the worker, The process involves querying a second database that stores the worker to whom the aforementioned worker account information has been issued and the installation site where the worker to whom the aforementioned worker account information has been issued performs the construction work, thereby obtaining an installation site query result indicating the installation site associated with the input worker account information. Furthermore, The gateway installation management method according to claim 2, wherein the installation location indicated by the installation location inquiry result is displayed on the display.

4. The gateway installation management method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of receiving an upload of a CSV file from a construction management device that stores a CSV file indicating the association between a worker to whom the worker account information has been issued and the installation site where the worker to whom the worker account information has been issued performs the construction work, and storing the CSV file in the second database.

5. The process further includes determining whether the gateway ID obtained from the aforementioned work terminal device is legitimate or not. The gateway installation management method according to claim 2, wherein if the gateway ID is determined to be legitimate, the installation location is displayed on the display, and if the gateway ID is determined to be invalid, the installation location is not displayed on the display.

6. The process involves querying a third database that stores the aforementioned installation location and the connected equipment installed at the aforementioned installation location in association with each other, thereby obtaining a connected equipment query result that indicates the connected equipment associated with the aforementioned installation location specified in the aforementioned specified operation. A step of confirming the communication status between the gateway device specified by the specified operation and the connected device indicated by the connected device inquiry result, The steps include displaying the communication status on the display of the work terminal device. The gateway installation and management method according to claim 1, comprising:

7. The gateway installation management method according to claim 6, wherein if the communication status is poor, candidate causes of the poor status are displayed on the display.

8. The gateway installation management method according to claim 6, wherein the connected device is a power conditioner or smart meter installed at the installation site.

9. The gateway installation management method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming the communication status with the gateway device specified by the specified operation and displaying it on the display of the work terminal device.

10. The gateway installation management method according to claim 9, wherein if the communication status is poor, candidate causes of the poor status are displayed on the display.

11. The gateway installation management method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a data monitor menu on the display of a management terminal device that displays data collected by the gateway device registered in the first database.

12. The gateway installation management method according to claim 11, wherein the data monitor menu is not displayed on the display of the management terminal device until it has confirmed that the management terminal device has accepted input for a predetermined administrator account, and the data monitor menu is displayed on the display of the management terminal device once it has confirmed that the management terminal device has accepted input for the administrator account.

13. A gateway installation management program that causes a computer to execute the gateway installation management method described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A recording medium for recording the gateway installation management program described in claim 13 in a way that can be read by a computer.

15. A gateway installation management device that manages the construction work performed by workers installing gateway devices used for managing power generation by solar power generation equipment, When the work terminal device used by the worker to perform the construction work acquires a gateway ID that identifies the gateway device installed by the worker, an identifier acquisition unit acquires the gateway ID from the work terminal device. When the work terminal device receives a designation operation by the worker to specify the installation location for the gateway device, the identifier registration unit registers the installation location specified by the designation operation and the gateway ID in association with each other in the first database. Equipped with, The gateway device is assigned a code indicating the gateway ID. The aforementioned work terminal device is a gateway installation management device that acquires the gateway ID by reading the code with a scanner.

16. A gateway installation support method for managing the installation work performed by workers installing gateway devices used for managing power generation by solar power generation equipment, The steps include: obtaining the gateway ID by reading the code attached to the gateway device with a scanner, indicating the gateway ID that identifies the gateway device; A step of receiving a designation operation from the worker who specifies the installation location for the gateway device, A step of requesting registration in a database, which associates the installation location specified by the aforementioned operation with the gateway ID. A gateway installation support method equipped with the following features.

17. A gateway installation support program that causes a computer to execute the gateway installation support method described in claim 16.

18. A recording medium for recording the gateway installation support program described in claim 17 in a way that can be read by a computer.

19. A gateway installation support device that manages the construction work performed by workers installing gateway devices used for managing power generation by solar power generation equipment, A scanner that reads a code attached to the gateway device and identifies the gateway device, and obtains the gateway ID, An operation reception unit that receives a designation operation by the worker to specify the installation location for the gateway device, A registration request unit requests registration to a database, associating the installation location specified by the aforementioned operation with the gateway ID. A gateway installation support device equipped with the following features.

Images