Fast and precise solar radiation measurements
gSKIN® Heat Flux Sensors enable fast and highly precise solar radiation measurements (i.e. ultraviolet and near-infrared radiation). Precise data on solar radiation is indispensable for the optimization of photovoltaic installations, in meteorological research or in building automation systems.
Solar measurement applications:
Optimization of photovoltaic installations:
The power output of a photovoltaic system depends on its alignment towards the sun at any given time. The ability to gather precise data quickly is thus crucial to optimize the efficiency of photovoltaic installations. The gSKIN® enables you to collect data on solar radiation, which in turn serves as an important reference for predictions on the power output of PV systems, the monitoring of their efficiency, decisions on maintenance (cleaning) and many more.
Precise data in meteorological research:
The sun has a profound influence on all meteorological processes. Thus precise data on global solar radiation (direct and scattered solar radiation) is the basis for research and predictions in meteorology.
Smart building automation systems:
To increase the energy efficiency of buildings smart automation systems gain increasing importance. These systems regulate processes according to many environmental parameters, whereof the most important one is solar irradiation. The gSKIN® can for example be used to regulate sun blinds and heating automation in buildings in order to reduce its overall energy consumption.
To measure solar radiation, the gSKIN® can either be used as is or as a built in part of a pyranometer or other measurement systems. When solar rays hit the black coated sensor they are converted into heat, which in turn is converted into an output voltage by the ultra-sensitive thermopiles of the sensor. To calculate the heat flux, the output voltage is divided by the sensor-specific sensitivity. You can easily read-out the signal with a datalogger or a volt meter.
Advantages of the gSKIN® for solar measurements
The following features make the gSKIN® the ideal tool for solar measurements:
- Fast rise times (sub-second)
- A homogenous sensitivity across the sensor surface
- Absolute flat surface (no topology) for best measurement results
- Customized sensor designs to ensure best performance for specific applications
- Measurement of all wavelengths with the same sensitivity
- The sensor’s output is linear to the measured solar power. This guarantees easy read-out.