Catalogs >
OTT HydroMet >
Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects
8Pages

Catalog excerpts

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects - 1

optimal solutions and systems Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects Learn what is important in solar irradiance measurements in solar energy projects. Find optimal solutions and systems for PV, CPV and CSP projects. Solar radiation is the input for all solar energy generation systems. Measuring solar irradiance provides knowledge to make important decisions on future energy yield, efficiency, performance and maintenance – crucial factors for investments! This brochure provides helpful guidelines for Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal projects, including practical information on site prospecting and the efficiency monitoring of solar power plants.

Open the catalog to page 1

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects - 2

Glossary of Terms Irradiance Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) radiant flux received by a surface per unit area, irradiance is measured in W/m2 DNI is the amount of solar radiation received per unit area by a surface that is held perpendicular (normal) to the rays that come in a straight line from the direction of the sun at its current position in the sky. DNI is measured by a pyrheliometer with a field of view of 5 °, mounted on an automatic sun tracker. Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI) DHI characterizes the amount of energy coming from the sky after being scattered in the atmosphere. DHI...

Open the catalog to page 2

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects - 3

Site Prospecting and Energy Forecast Where to build a solar power plant? Which technology will have the lowest levelized Recommended system cost of energy (LCOE) and bring maximum return on investment (ROI)? What is the optimal size of the power plant on a given site? Knowing the amount and distribution of solar irradiance with low uncertainties will help to answer such questions. The amount of solar radiation available over time under the local environmental conditions is a key input for choosing the optimal location, technology and size of a solar energy project. Feasibility studies and...

Open the catalog to page 3

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects - 4

Fixed Photovoltaic (PV) Installations Recommended system Rooftop installations, Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems and SMP3 or SMP10 pyranometer for POA measurements, LOGBOX datalogger For both roof and ground-mounted installations solar radiation measurements An additional pyranometer for GHI is optional Recommended small ground-mounted PV plants (kW range) significantly improves the monitoring of the performance of the solar energy system. In most smaller PV installations, if any monitoring is done, it is usually a comparison of the output from one PV panel to another PV...

Open the catalog to page 4

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects - 5

Recommended basic system Medium and large commercial PV installations (MW range) In medium and large installations (>1 MW) the uncertainties in the efficiency of energy generation have considerable impact on the project´s profitability. A measurement uncertainty of as low as a couple of percent for a plant of nominal capacity of several MW can mean a significant difference in energy production A minimum of two ISO 9060 Secondary Standard Recommended system pyranometers, one for POA and one for GHI measurement (CMP10 or SMP10) For larger plants, additional pyranometers should be installed,...

Open the catalog to page 5

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects - 6

Tracking Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Recommended system PV systems with one- or two-axis tracking can considerably increase the output of solar panels by ensuring higher received irradiance during the day. To monitor the Two ISO 9060 Secondary Standard pyranometers (CMP10 or SMP10), one for GHI measurement and one mounted on panel tracker for POA measurement performance of the system the POA irradiance should be measured, along with the GHI, using high quality pyranometers (ISO 9060 Secondary Standard). The pyranometers can be mounted on the solar panel tracker or on a dedicated high...

Open the catalog to page 6

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects - 7

Recommended system Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Systems Thermal systems use the direct normal irradiance (DNI) from the sun to generate heat, which can be used as the energy source for steam turbine electricity generators. These systems use mirrors to concentrate solar radiation. Unlike PV cells, they can take advantage of the full spectrum of solar radiation, including ultraviolet and near infrared light, leading to high efficiencies. For such systems it is extremely important to monitor the broadband solar radiation with high precision, because sky conditions SOLYS2 automatic sun...

Open the catalog to page 7

Solar Irradiance Monitoring in Solar Energy Projects - 8

Choosing the Right System Application KIPP & ZOIMEIXI 5 I N C E 1 B 3 □ Go to www.kippzonen.com for your local distributor HEAD OFFICE Kipp & Zonen B.V. Delftechpark 36, 2628 XH Delft P.O. Box 507, 2600 AM Delft The Netherlands +31 15 2755 210 info@kippzonen.com www.kippzonen.com

Open the catalog to page 8