OTT HydroMet updates Kipp & Zonen DustIQ Soiling System
The soiling monitoring system Kipp & Zonen DustIQ just received a firmware update to make it even better, says OTT HydroMet. DustIQ is an optical sensor to measure the amount of dust, sand, and other shading objects on PV panels. It is used to determine the soiling ratio, optimize cleaning schedules, increase the profitability of PV installations – especially in arid and desert areas.
According to OTT HydroMet, pre-update …
Measurements taken outdoor in various desert regions across the world show that the DustIQ underestimated the degree of transmission loss with its earlier factory calibration dust slopes. Those various sites report that the outdoor dust slope is a factor reaching from 1.8 and 2.6 higher than the factory calibration. Based on these reports, an average factor 2 is found. Independent research also confirms that the DustIQ with the earlier factory calibration dust slope is underestimating transmission loss.
Now, with the firmware update to version 22000 the factory calibration dust slope is corrected with this factor 2. For example, a sensor reading 98.5% soiling ratio (1.5% transmission loss) before the update will now show an increased soiling ratio output of 97.0% (3.0% transmission loss).
With the new firmware update, among other advantages, the DustIQ adapts to surrounding conditions faster and enables an easier field calibration:
- Better response to soiling with increased sensitivity
- Easier and faster field calibration procedure
- Plain communication thanks to numerical error code display
- New function to tare the DustIQ
- Increased functionality to allow device reset, start tare and start of field calibration
You can find the manual including all information on how to install the new firmware and other documents related to the DustIQ Soiling Monitoring System on the OTT HydroMet website.
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