Why is a Pyranometer Necessary for Solar Power Plants?

What is a Pyranometer?

Pyranometers are sensors used to measure and evaluate radiation levels.

They are of critical importance in areas where photovoltaic systems are installed. Pyranometers are used to measure the performance of solar systems. For solar power plants (SPPs), the following sensors are used to measure solar radiation in accordance with the IEC 61724-1 standards:

Thermopile Pyranometer
PV Pyranometer (Irradiance Sensor with Reference Cell)
Photodiode Sensors

The Importance of Pyranometers for Solar Power Plants

The amount of energy produced in a solar power plant is directly proportional to the radiation value. Accurately calculating the radiation levels in the field is crucial for assessing the plant’s performance. With a PV Pyranometer, you can measure radiation levels. By comparing the measured radiation value with the energy the system should produce, you can easily identify any discrepancies between actual and expected energy production. This comparison makes it easier to detect performance losses, if any, and allows for timely corrections and preventive measures.

In a solar power plant, the input is the solar radiation, and the output is the produced electrical energy. Therefore, it’s essential to know the input value to accurately assess the performance of the plant.

Investors, who have spent considerable resources setting up these plants, certainly don’t want poor performance. By regularly monitoring the solar radiation level and the energy the plant should produce, investors can take the necessary steps if there’s any decline in performance.

Without data, it is impossible to evaluate the performance of a system. If a pyranometer is not used, the input values remain unknown, which could lead an investor to mistakenly assume that a plant with only 60% efficiency is performing normally.

To assess whether the plant’s performance is adequate, all the parameters affecting system performance must be monitored. The most crucial of these parameters is the radiation value, which can only be tracked with a pyranometer.
Therefore, pyranometers are the most essential sensors that must be used in solar power plants.

You can gain a better understanding of the importance and necessity of pyranometer use by reading our other articles: