MaxiMet weather stations chosen for BBC Countryfile Live

Gill’s MaxiMet compact weather stations will provide weather data to the first ever BBC CountryFile Live, one of the UK’s largest country shows.

blenheim-palace-maximetFrom 4th-7th August 2016, the MaxiMet GMX 500 will be collecting data across the Countryfile Live site at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The weather station will be streaming live information on wind speed, wind direction, dew point, humidity and temperature in order to ensure the weather condition around the 2000 acre site remain within health and safety regulations. The data collected by MaxiMet is available to view in real-time on the Richard Paul Russell Weatherfile website.

Supplied by distributor Richard Paul Russell (R-P-R), MaxiMet has been chosen due to its compact nature, multitude of weather parameter options, Gill’s renowned reliability and the ease of integration into Weatherfile.

For more information on MaxiMet or application examples please contact gillinstruments.com/maximet

MaxiMet compact weather stations expand with further precipitation options

Gill Instruments has expanded the MaxiMet range of compact weather stations by introducing two new variants with additional precipitation options. Developed to meet customer needs in areas subjected to heavier rainfalls, the new models capabilities can provide improved rainfall data to applications including PV parks, hydrological stations and coastal monitoring stations.

maximet 531
GMX 531 is supplied with an aerodynamic tipping bucket rain gauge and 20m cable.

The latest models, GMX531 and GMX551 offer precipitation measurement via a separate connector for tipping bucket rain gauges in addition to the existing features such as solar radiation, temperature, humidity, pressure and wind measurement all combined into a single output available via multiple digital interface options.

The GMX 531 is supplied with an aerodynamic tipping bucket rain gauge and 20m cable, allowing it to be positioned in accordance with WMO guidelines. The aerodynamic rain gauge supplied with the GMX531 features a typical 0.2mm resolution and is capable of measuring precipitation up to 1000mm per hour at±2% accuracy.

MaxiMet
GMX551 offers precipitation measurement via a separate connector.

The GMX551 is fitted with the integrated connector, which users can link with any 0.2mm rain gauge.

“The new MaxiMet weather stations with expanded precipitation measurements have been developed in response to customer requests for high performance in areas where heavy rainfall is often experienced” says Richard McKay at Gill Instruments. “Since its launch, MaxiMet has proven incredibly popular with a wide variety of users and its popularity is partly due to the many configurations available and flexibility offered throughout the range.”

Download the datasheets or send an online enquiry.

MaxiMet with Rain Gauge & Inclinometer models debut at InterSolar 2016

Gill Instruments will launch two new MaxiMet variants on stand B2-159 at InterSolar from 22nd– 24th June 2016.

The new models have introduced new features to Gill’s solar product portfolio. As well as existing features such as solar radiation sensors which measure energy from the sun, the new models offer more options for measuring precipitation.

Each of the new MaxiMet all-in-one weather stations – the GMX 531 and GMX 551, includes instruments to measure temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed/direction and solar radiation. The GMX 531 also includes an aerodynamic tipping bucket rain gauge supplied with a 20m cable, allowing it to be positioned in accordance with WMO guidelines. The rain gauge measures to typical 0.2mm resolution and is capable of recording precipitous events up to 1000mm per hour at ±2% accuracy. The GMX 551 includes an integrated connector to which any 0.2mm rain gauge can be linked.

“The new MaxiMet models have many features including the integrated Hukseflux LP02 solar radiation sensor which is widely used for PV performance monitoring and complies with WMO Guidelines and ISO 9060 standards. This kind of quality within the MaxiMet range the helps our solar customers to monitor efficiency and improve performance and the integrated Modbus output makes installation simple.” says Paul Rogers, Head of Sales at Gill Instruments.

The new MaxiMet models will be on stand B2-159 at InterSolar from the 22nd– 24th June in Munich, Germany.

For more information or to download a datasheet please visit gillinstruments.com/MaxiMet 

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Gill Sponsor DACH 2016

logo-dach2016Gill Instruments is a proud sponsor of DACH 2016 in Berlin from 14th to 18th March. Visit Gill at the conference and ask about their meteorological instrumentation including all-in-one weather stations and 2D/3D ultrasonic anemometers.

DACH 2016 is the premier conference for Meteorological professionals in German-speaking countries and conference topics include Atmospheric Dynamics, Turbulence and Atmospheric Boundary Layer. Attendees include the German Meteorological Society (DMG), Austrian Society of Meteorology (OGM) and the Swiss Meteorological Society (SGM).

Gill’s instruments are used in research/scientific and industrial applications and the product ranges include leading brands such as MaxiMet, MetPak, WindSonic, MaxiMet compact wether station rangeWindObserver and WindMaster. All Gill products come with free user software.

MaxiMet and MetPak are ranges of advanced weather stations capable of measuring multiple parameters with a wide variety of options.

WindObserver and WindSonic are ranges of 2D ultrasonic anemometers with wind speed measurements up to 90m/s and available in polycarbonate, aluminium or stainless steel with options for heating and application specific approvals including Lloyds Register and ATEX/IECEx.

WindMaster 3D ultrasonic anemometers provide U, V and W vector outputs and options include vertical and horizontal head designs. Construction types include aluminium/carbon fibre or stainless steel and data output rates range from 45-100Hz. Common applications include flux monitoring and the study of turbulent air flows.

Visit Gill at DACH 2016 for more information and product demonstrations.

Using MaxiMet for Solar Park applications

Solar Parks are growing rapidly and generating hundreds of thousands of megawatts of PV power each year. Solar measurement instruments are critical to site profiling and monitoring the performance of solar parks, they are also extremely important in measuring return on investment.

Gill Instruments, leaders in meteorological instrumentation will exhibit at Solar Power International in September, alongside local distributor Dynamax, where Gill will display MaxiMet – their latest range of compact weather stations. MaxiMet is an all-in-one weather station, with 9 models in the range, each measuring different meteorological parameters including solar radiation, precipitation, wind speed and direction, temperature and more.

MaxiMet provides solar park operators with the essential meteorological parameters to help monitor efficiency and optimise maintenance routines. Selecting a MaxiMet with either 1st Class, 2nd Class or Secondary Standard pyrometers provides users with reference standard measurements of the amount of sunlight reaching the solar panels, enabling users to monitor the efficiency of installed systems and predict the output under various sky conditions.

The flexibility of MaxiMet’s measurement options means operators can also monitor other weather parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, wind and rain from an integrated station. MaxiMet is available with an optional remote fast response temperature sensor, which is mounted directly on the rear of the PV panel and assists in determining the efficiency of the panel. The data captured from the station will help indicate possible causes to changes in the power output of the solar park, advising operators of potential maintenance actions to be made to increase output efficiency and return on investment.

In addition to its configuration versatility, MaxiMet features MODBUS which can be directly interfaced with SCADA systems, offering the ability to deliver data to any networked location within the plant. Combined with the easy networking ability from MODBUS, the station also includes in-field calibration adjustment and zero maintenance which helps minimise running costs.

Visit Gill and Dynamax on stand 247 for a demonstration on how MaxiMet and Gill’s other meteorological instruments can benefit the efficiency of solar farm installations.

About Solar Power International

Solar Power International, which takes place in California from September 14-17, is the largest event dedicated to furthering the solar energy development within the US – the third largest country for solar power generation. The event is created to serve and advance the solar energy industry by bringing together the people, products and professional development opportunities that drive the solar industry.

Monitoring solar efficiency with compact weather stations

Meteorological instruments including Gill’s MaxiMet and MetPak compact weather stations can be used to provide crucial management information on the efficiency of solar parks. Meteorological instruments help identify what may affect solar park performance and inform operators about what measures could be taken to increase efficiency.

Tracking the weather MaxiMet on Solar Farms

Weather stations in solar parks provide data on solar radiation, temperature, humidity, wind and rain. This data indicates a possible increase or reduction in the efficiency of the park. The following lists some of the measurement parameters and the benefits which can be realised through installing MaxiMet or MetPak weather stations.

  • ISO 9060 second class, first class and secondary standard solar radiation pyranometers to monitor the actual solar radiation which can be compared with the designed energy output from PV panels. From this, the performance of individual panels can be assessed and compared with other panels, which makes it easier to identify any panels which are not as efficient.
  • Wind speed and direction measurements can be used to calculate the wind loading on large photovoltaic panels and for solar parks which have horizontal PV trackers installed. Wind speed and direction measurements can trigger changes in the angle of incidence, as high winds can damage PV panels or their mechanisms. The use of ultrasonic wind measurements guarantees accurate performance and zero maintenance for many years unlike mechanical wind sensors.
  • During periods of rain solar production is reduced, however monitoring the rainfall can indicate how often panels may need to be cleaned. Maintenance factors including cleanliness can affect the panel’s efficiency, reducing it to less than 20%.
  • MaxiMet and MetPak feature MODBUS outputs, which can be easily connected with SCADA systems. This offers the ability to collect data from any networked location within the plant whilst also providing the facility for instruments to be easily exchanged or relocated.
  • MaxiMet and MetPak are both low maintenance which along with in-field calibration and adjustment,helps to reduce integration and long-term running costs.

Using MaxiMet or MetPak weather stations operators can access all of the meteorological measurement parameters essential to solar park efficiency.

MaxiMet offers users a single, compact “plug and play” weather station suited to most applications, whereas MetPak is a professional weather station with increased flexibility. It offers users higher accuracy industry standard sensors along with the ability to expand the weather station by adding additional sensors using the standard analogue inputs.

For more information on the benefits of weather stations in solar power applications please visit gillinstruments.com/weatherstations