Applications include:
Determining accurate soiling losses for PV performance guarantees
Monitoring soiling losses to enable detection of other system-level issues
Optimizing washing schedules for best return-on-investment
Determining typical soiling rates for forecasting models
Collecting pre-construction prospecting data at new sites
The system includes advanced features ensuring accurate and reliable results not possible with simpler or home-built systems, including:
PV Reference Module Hold at Voc or Isc: The measurement unit switches the reference module into the user’s choice of open-circuit (Voc) or short-circuit (Isc) in between measurements, minimizing module degradation due to hot spot formation (crystalline-silicon modules) or ion transport (thin film modules).
Power-Based Measurements: Both the short-circuit current and power of reference modules are measured, allowing accurate soiling determination even when soiling is spatially non-uniform.
Measure Snow Losses: An optional heated reference cell allows accurate measurement of irradiance and measurement of power losses due to modules being covered with snow.
Capture Exact Soiling Effects: A PV module identical to those used in the user’s PV array is used as the “soiled” reference module. The soiled reference module can be mounted directly on the user’s array mounting structure if desired — even for tracking systems.