Cleaning PV modules at the right moment protects energy yield without sending teams out too early. This system monitors soiling with two identical reference modules: a clean panel kept free of dirt and a soiled panel cleaned with the plant. By comparing short-circuit current and panel temperature, it calculates the ratio of energy loss caused by accumulated dust and dirt.
The measurement follows IEC 61724-1 processing and delivers soiling data with system diagnostics through eight channels, including solar geometry, clean and soiled panel temperature, ISC, status and soiling index. The METEODATA-4000 datalogger acquires, stores and transmits the data, while GEO-DataView tools support start-up, data recovery, database storage and web or mobile visualization.
Built for PV plant environments, the control unit covers 0 to 20 A ISC with 0.1% F.S. accuracy, 2 x 4-20 mA outputs and >1.5 kVAC galvanic isolation. The UV-resistant polycarbonate housing is rated IP66, NEMA4/4X and operates from -40 to +85ºC.
The system compares a CLEAN PANEL kept regularly cleaned with a SOILED PANEL that accumulates dirt with the rest of the array.
It records solar elevation, hour angle, clean and soiled panel temperatures, clean and soiled panel ISC, SPPM-PV status and soiling.
The datalogger acquires, processes, stores and transmits soiling data and supports additional radiation and weather sensors.
GEO-DataLink, Teletrans and Webtrans support configuration, data download, SQL storage, CSV generation and web viewing.
Panel temperature measurement supports Pt100 / Pt1000 with resistance output, 4-20mA or Modbus.
The installation kit supports panels, towers, masts or walls, with MC4 panel connectors and a 10-pin SAMTEC connection to the datalogger.
