The 3S-SMS-P SEVEN Portable Soiling Sensor is a patented, field-ready device that lets you measure PV soiling ratio quickly and accurately without permanent installation. In this video, you will see the updated measurement method: readings are taken on a soiled module first, and then on the same module after cleaning, giving a more precise soiling ratio for real, on-site decisions.
What will you see in the video?
This hands-on demo shows the full field workflow, including:
- The portable sensor and its components
- How to place the sensor on a soiled panel, take the first reading, and store the result
- How to repeat the measurement on the same panel after cleaning
- How the device calculates and displays the soiling ratio
- Practical tips for getting stable, repeatable readings in outdoor conditions
Why use a portable soiling sensor instead of a fixed system?
A portable solution is ideal when you need fast, spot-check measurements across different areas of the plant, such as:
- Comparing zones with different dust exposure
- Verifying soiling levels after storms or seasonal changes
- Deciding whether cleaning is economically justified
- Validating cleaning effectiveness immediately on site
No mounting, no wiring, and no waiting—just reliable soiling data when you need it.
How do you take a measurement with the SEVEN portable soiling sensor in the field?
A typical measurement takes only a few minutes:
- Enter the panel color, soil color and soil tone on the LCD screen.
- Place the sensor on the soiled module.
- Start the measurement and save the result.
- Clean the same module surface.
- Measure again on the cleaned module.
- Read the calculated soiling ratio on the screen.
Repeat this in multiple blocks to build a site-wide soiling map.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1- What is the working principle of the portable soiling sensor?
The Portable Soiling Sensor calculates the soiling ratio on the panels by utilizing the reflection and scattering properties of light based on optical principles.
2- Do I need permanent installation or datalogger/SCADA integration?
No. The 3S-SMS-P is fully portable and works independently, making it perfect for rapid field checks.
3- How often should I measure soiling?
That depends on site conditions. Many plants measure weekly or after major dust events to optimize cleaning frequency.
4- Can I use the portable soiling sensor on tracker plants?
Yes. Because it measures directly on the target module, it works for fixed-tilt and tracker installations alike.
5- Does the portable soiling sensor require maintenance?
The Portable Soiling Sensor requires periodic calibration to ensure accurate and reliable measurements. It is recommended that your sensor be calibrated after 500 hours of operation. Additionally, the battery life of the Portable Soiling Sensor is between 2 and 3 years, after which the battery should be replaced.
6- How long does the 3S-SMS-P take to measure soiling ratio?
The lamps should be allowed to stabilize for 5 minutes after being powered on before starting the measurements. Clean and soiled measurements on the panel takes 1 minute each, making it 6 miutes in total. The whole process takes less than 15 minutes.
7- How much is the portable soiling sensor?
The 3S-SMS-P Portable Soiling Sensors comes with an introductory price of 1500 EUR.