SOLYS 2 sun tracker targets PV market with new accessory kit
Published: Thursday, June 4, 2009
In response to customer requests we have developed a new accessory for the SOLYS 2 and 2AP Sun Trackers that is specifically for applications in the photovoltaic solar energy market.
For PV research and solar prospecting a sun tracker fitted with a CHP 1 pyrheliometer and a top mounted pyranometer (typically a CMP 11 or CMP 21) is used to measure the direct radiation and the horizontal global radiation. A shading assembly and a second pyranometer are often added to measure the horizontal diffuse radiation.
However, where it is intended to use solar panels with 2-axis trackers to follow the sun, it can be useful to know the total amount of energy available to the panels. This can be achieved by mounting a pyranometer on the sun tracker, so that it is kept pointing at the sun and measures the tilted global radiation.
To enable this, we have produced a mounting kit to fit a CMP series pyranometer to the side plate of a SOLYS 2, on the opposite side to the pyrheliometer. The kit can also be used to replace one of the sets of pyrheliometer mountings on the 2AP large side mounting plate.
