Using MaxiMet for Solar Park applications

iStock 000052037558 XXXLarge 300x200 1

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

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

iStock 000052037558 XXXLarge 300x200 1 1

Supporting advancing weather technology in the GCC

Gill Instruments will be supporting local business partner and distributor Unique Systems at WeatherTech GCC 2015 in Dubai.

WeatherTech GCC, is the first event of its kind within the Gulf Countries to focus on environmental and climate change measurement technologies. The event marks a key shift in the GCC’s approach to better understanding weather forecasting and climate change, a much needed requirement to revolutionize the collection, analysis and distribution of weather forecasting data in the GCC.

The conference will be well attended by meteorologists, suppliers and Government State Leaders, to share regionally applied best practice solutions, look to source new technologies and evaluate how these can be integrated into existing systems and operations to effectively manage weather related risks.

As key suppliers of meteorological instruments worldwide and the events Networking Sponsor, Gill Instruments will exhibit alongside local distributor, Unique Systems.

Gill’s portfolio of products, including their compact weather stations and ultrasonic anemometers, will be on display demonstrating the benefits of the Gill technology, which include solid-state design, low maintenance and long term reliability.

Gill Instruments Sales Manager Brian Benham commented, “As the first weather and forecasting event in the region, it’s a fantastic opportunity to ignite business within the area and make key contacts.”

Unique Systems and Gill Instruments will be exhibiting in the Foyer exhibition area of the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai throughout WeatherTech GCC from the 16th-17th September 2015.

Gill 2-axis and 3-axis anemometers provide vital wind measurement on Bridges

Bridges can be vulnerable to extreme wind conditions, therefore the constant monitoring of bridges is vital for both structural integrity and the safety of bridge users. In some cases, due to the distance above the ground and the height and design of the structure, 3 dimensional wind measurements are required to better understand wind loading as well as strain from gusting conditions.

To provide this crucial measurement data, Gill 2-axis and 3-axis ultrasonic anemometers have been installed in bridge applications around the world for over 20 years.

In applications where basic wind measurements are required such as transport safety, Gill’s WindSonic and WindObserver sensors are commonly used to alert bridge management to restrict high-sided or vulnerable vehicles crossing, or in severe conditions, to completely close access to the bridge. Gill WindSonic and WindObserver ultrasonic anemometers are often selected because they provide instantaneous measurement responses to changing wind conditions. Installations of this nature can be seen in bridges across the world. Some located in the USA are:

  • Florida State Transport Authority
  • Niantic River Amtrak Train Bridge (Connecticut)
  • Fore River Bridge (Massachusetts)
  • Tobin Bridge (Boston)

3 dimensional wind measurements are crucial for complex terrain and where local meteorological effects from specific wind vectors could impact structural safety. Gill 3-axis ultrasonic anemometers, such as the WindMaster and Research ranges, provide extremely precise, fine scale, fast (10-50 Hz) vectorial 3 dimensional measurements. When utilised together with strain gauges, the data helps determine high Reynolds numbers and stress values, which are useful for onsite safety condition monitoring.

Gill 3-axis ultrasonic anemometers provide data on some of the Worlds’ iconic bridges including:

  • The Millennium Bridge , London
  • The Severn Bridge motorway crossing, Wales
  • The Tsing Ma Bridge, Hong Kong
  • The Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
  • Millau Viaduct in Creissels, France

For more information on the use of Gill anemometers for bridge applications visit the application page here, or contact 01590 613500.

MillenniumBridge

Gill WindObserver Wind Sensor makes TV debut on The One Show

oneshow

Gill’s ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensor featured on the BBC’s daily TV programme, The One Show on Thursday 16th July 2015.

TheWindObserver which can measure wind speeds in excess of 200mph made its TV appearance during a feature on using ultrasonic technology to show how sound waves can be used to make measurements which are useful in real life situations. During the demonstration, Phil Bassindale from Bristol University used a hair dryer to simulate wind and showed presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones, how the WindObserver records changes in wind speed when wind is present. The changing wind speed was displayed via a touch screen display from Observator instruments.
Watch the episode on the BBC iPlayer until 17/08/2015

ABOUT ULTRASONIC WIND MEASUREMENT

WindObserver sensors use the ultrasonic time of flight principle to ascertain wind speed and direction.

Opposing sets of transducers alternately send and receive ultrasonic pulses to each other. In still air these pulses travel at the same speed.

The wind speed affects the send/receive pattern of the pulses. Pulses in the direction of air movement will reach the opposing transducer more rapidly, whilst pulses into the wind will be delayed. The stronger the prevailing wind, the more prominent the effect will be.