What weather station does a solar site need?
Most PV sites need irradiance measured in the plane of the array, plus module and air temperature and wind. Large plants usually add soiling measurement and higher-grade sensors to meet a performance contract; smaller systems often use a simpler package. Confirm the monitoring class your contract requires first.
Start with three questions
- What does your contract or lender require? Class A or B under IEC 61724-1 changes sensor grade and upkeep.
- How big is the site? One met station may serve a small plant; large plants often need several.
- What will you do with the data? Performance ratio reporting, warranty claims, forecasting or resource assessment.
Typical measurements
| Measurement | Why |
|---|---|
| Irradiance (global horizontal and plane of array) | Baseline for expected output |
| Module temperature | Output falls as modules heat |
| Air temperature | Context and model inputs |
| Wind speed and direction | Cooling effect and mechanical loads |
| Soiling ratio | Separates dirt losses from other losses |
What to compare
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sensor grade and calibration | Drives accuracy and contract compliance |
| Dew and frost handling | Matters at sites where dew is common |
| Maintenance and cleaning schedule | Dirty sensors give bad data |
| Data logging and integration | Connects to SCADA or monitoring platform |
| Power and communications | Remote sites need reliable supply |
Questions to ask providers
- Which IEC 61724-1 class does the package support?
- What is the calibration schedule and cost of recalibration?
- How does the station feed our monitoring platform?
- What are the cleaning and service requirements?
Sources
Want quotes from qualified providers?
Tell us about your site in two minutes. We match you with providers that serve your segment and region. Free, no obligation.
Get matched