Rika Sensor is a weather sensor manufacturer and environmental monitoring solution provider with 10+ years of industry experience.
What Is a Photovoltaic Weather Station?
A photovoltaic weather station, specifically designed for solar PV systems, is an intelligent monitoring solution that integrates high-precision sensors and IoT technology to collect, analyze, and transmit real-time environmental data.
The RK900-01 model by RIKA SENSOR exemplifies this, serving as a dedicated system for photovoltaic power stations. It captures critical parameters—including solar radiation, temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction, and PV module conditions—enabling data-driven optimization of power generation efficiency and safety management.
The station operates as a comprehensive hub, combining meteorological data acquisition with computational analysis, storage, and multi-mode communication (4G/Ethernet/WiFi) to support seamless monitoring across remote or distributed PV sites.
Why Use a Photovoltaic Weather Station?
The necessity of a PV weather station stems from the direct impact of environmental factors on solar system performance:
- Performance Optimization: Accurate measurements of total horizontal radiation (0–2000 W/m², Class B/C accuracy) and tilted total radiation (GTI) help calculate energy yield potential, allowing operators to adjust panel angles or cleaning schedules.
- Environmental Risk Mitigation: Parameters like wind speed (0–45 m/s, ±(0.3+0.03v) m/s accuracy) and air temperature (-40°C to +60°C, ±0.5°C accuracy) identify extreme weather conditions that could damage panels or infrastructure. Humidity monitoring (0–100%RH, ±3% accuracy) prevents corrosion and electrical failures in high-moisture environments.
- Data-Driven Maintenance: Cumulative radiation data (daily/monthly/annual in kWh/m² or MJ/m²) and sunshine hours facilitate predictive maintenance, while PV module temperature tracking (-50°C to +100°C, ±0.5°C) alerts operators to overheating issues that reduce energy conversion efficiency.
Weather Station Features
The RK900-01 showcases robust design and functional versatility:
- High-Precision Sensing: A suite of sensors measures diverse parameters, including scattered radiation (DHI) and hall voltage/current (optional, 0–500V/0–150A for roof/distributed stations) with industry-standard accuracy. The system supports up to 32 measurable parameters, customizable per user needs.
- Durable Construction: An all-metal bracket and protective box ensure resilience in harsh conditions, while a 2.5m vertical rod (with lightning protection, customizable height) provides stable installation. The multilayer radiation shield (shutter box) protects temperature/humidity sensors from direct sunlight and thermal distortion.
- Advanced Data Management: The 7” LCD data logger (1024×600 pixels, resistance-type touch) offers local display, 4GB storage, and USB download capabilities. It supports adjustable storage intervals (1–240 minutes) and automatic backup, with remote upgrade functionality via 4G/Ethernet/WiFi.
- Flexible Power & Connectivity: A solar-powered option (including panels, controller, and battery) enables off-grid operation, while communication gateways (RS485/4G/WiFi/Ethernet) ensure seamless data transmission. The system consumes an average of 3W (data logger) to 0.5W (RS485 gateway), balancing performance with energy efficiency.
Weather Station Necessity
- Radiation Analysis: Class B/C accuracy in radiation measurements ensures reliable calculation of PV system efficiency, as even minor variations in GHI or DNI can impact energy output by up to 10%.
- Temperature Management: PV module temperature monitoring is critical because every 1°C increase above 25°C reduces panel efficiency by ~0.4%, making real-time tracking essential for yield optimization.
- System Reliability: The station’s surge-protected design and rugged components (e.g., all-metal bracket) minimize downtime, with an optional solar power system ensuring continuous operation in off-grid locations.
Applications
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