Rainwise: PVmet Solar Energy Efficiency Monitor

Rainwise has recently released the PVmet Solar Energy Efficiency Monitor, a weather station specifically designed to improve accurate monitoring of PV plant performance parameters. The monitoring system is said to be the first weather station to be recognized by SunSpec Alliance for compatibility with industry plant management systems and has already sold 500 units to two of the top inverter manufacturers worldwide.

Problem

Understanding photovoltaic module and array performance characteristics is important for predicting and maximizing actual electrical production and panel maintenance. The current standard method for testing the performance of PV modules and arrays monitor performance in a single standard reporting condition set at an artificial uniform ambient temperature of 25ºC. This standard reporting condition is unrepresentative of actual operating conditions where 50ºC is more common and does not accurately address variable weather factors involved in outdoor performance.

Solution

RainWise has developed the PVmet Solar Energy Efficiency Monitor weather station to acquire continuous and accurate environmental data on installed panels. Representative of the series, the mid-range model PVmet 200 includes a global solar irradiance sensor, a plane-of-array irradiance sensor, two back-of-module temperature sensors, an ambient air temperature sensor and a wind speed/direction sensor. All models in the PVmet series come with sensor options to provide optimum environmental data necessary for maximizing actual on-site performance modeling, bringing together monitoring attributes not available anywhere else in a single, ready to use weather station.

Applications

Residential, commercial and utility-scale PV power plants.

Platform

Housed in a compact and easy to install unit, the PVmet sensors provides accurate and continuous panel environmental data necessary for predicting optimum performance modeling and maintenance scheduling. Unique to the PVmet are the back-of-module temperature sensor and two key irradiance sensors that provide information fundamental to performing key panel efficiency calculations. It is also in three different models with options. Modbus RS-485 Communication and Sunspec Ver. 1.1 Compliant.

Availability

Currently available.

Tags: inverters