Description
- Monitoring the intensity of visible light and aging
- Measuring the performance of solar panels
- Measuring solar radiation outdoors
- Estimating photovoltaic performance
| Modell: | 10.0 |
| Output range: | 0-1999 W/m² |
| Measurement range: | 940 nm |
| Bandwidth: | 400-1100 nm |
| Resolution: | 1 W/m² |
| Conversion speed: | 3.0 displays /Sek. |
| Display: | 3.5-digit LCD |
| Digit size: | 10,2 mm high |
| Operating temperature: | 0°C – 37,8°C |
| Operating humidity: | 5% – 80% |
| Accuracy: | ±5% REF.NIST |
| Dimensions: | L: 61 x W: 22 x H: 108 mm |
| Weight: | 150 g |
| Operating Voltage: | 9 V (Block Battery) |
| Detector: | Silicon photodiode |
| Lens: | UV Glas |
| Diffusor: | Teflon |
Sensor:
AIGaN photodiode with filter.
Operating the meter:
To operate your solar meter, point the sensor window on the top of the meter directly at a source. Press and hold the pressure switch on the front of the device. For best results, note the distance of the measurement to the source to ensure repeatable results.
The battery operating voltage is adjustable from 9 V down to 6.5 V. Below 6.5 V, the numbers on the LCD display begin to fade, indicating the need for a battery replacement. With typical usage, a standard 9V battery lasts about 2 years.
Correct use of the Solarmeter®:
- Wear tinted glasses or sunglasses when checking for intense sunlight.
- Point the sensor directly at the sun to see the maximum solar radiation as a reference.
- Point the sensor in the same direction as the solar panel to see the irradiance hitting the module.
- If necessary, realign the solar panel to obtain the best average position.
- The direction of maximum solar radiation at midday naturally varies throughout the year.
Correctly estimate the power of the solar panel:
Obtain the following information from the manufacturer of the module array before starting:
Effective active area for the solar cells in square meters ____ m²
Efficiency of the solar cells as a percentage of input to output power ____ %.
DC-AC conversion efficiency of the solar cell modules in the panel ____ %.
Also record the temperature near the back of the panel ____ °C
It is best to do this when the sun is shining directly on the module around midday. The probability of a measurement error will increase at an angle of more than approx. 35° direct sunlight.
Example calculation with a photovoltaic meter that displays 1000 W/m perpendicular to a 10 m module with 10 m active area, 14 % cell efficiency, 95 % converter efficiency, 40 C:
1000 W/m² x 10 m² = 10000 watts of incoming solar power
– 10000 W x 0.14 cell efficiency = 1400 watts
– 1400 W x 0.95 Conversion efficiency = 1330 watts
The typical temperature coefficient loss for solar cells is -0.5% per degree C above 25°… or 7.5% for 40° in this example (15° x 0.5% = 7.5% loss or 92.5% of the above value. So
– 1330 W x 0.925 = 1230 watts.
Finally, a small wiring and component loss of ~1 % reduces the panel power to ~1218 W.
Energy generation over time:
The above value of 1218 watts is an “instantaneous” figure. Energy is expressed in watt (or kilowatt) hours. So if the solar radiation remained constant for one hour at midday, the energy generated would be 1218 WH. To estimate the power over the whole day, take readings every hour and apply the examples above. Then add the value of each hour x number of hours for the daily watt hours. Of course, the value increases in the summer, peaking around June 21 in the northern hemisphere… and decreases in winter, reaching its lowest point around the solstice on December 21. In the southern hemisphere, the opposite is true.
Care and maintenance:
- Do not expose the measuring device to extreme temperatures, moisture, shocks or dust. If the device is accidentally exposed to excessive humidity or wet conditions, unusually high readings may occur. If you allow the device to dry naturally or place it in a bag with silica gel, normal function will be restored.
- Use a very soft cloth to clean the meter. Keep the sensor free from oil, dirt, etc.
