What is a pv soiling sensor？

The PV Soiling Sensor, specifically RIKA SENSOR's RK210-03 RK210-03 PV Soiling Sensor ( Dust Monitoring System), is a device designed to address the critical issue of soiling on solar panels, a primary factor undermining the power generation efficiency of PV power plants. Leveraging blue light pollutant measurement technology, this Solar Panel dust detection tool enables precise PV Soiling Measurement by calculating the Soiling Ratio (SR) — the proportion of pollutants affecting sunlight transmission to solar modules. Installed directly on the frame of PV panels, it seamlessly integrates into power plant management systems, providing real-time data to operation and maintenance teams.

By monitoring SR, the system indicates when pollutants reach a critical threshold, guiding informed decisions on cleaning schedules. Compliant with the IEC 61724-1 standard, it supports multi-point measurement, a necessity for large PV parks with varying pollution rates across the site.

Why Use a PV Soiling Sensor (Dust Monitoring System)?  

- Cost-Effective: It minimizes expenses across procurement, installation, and upkeep compared to traditional products, making it economically viable for large PV facilities.

 - Data-Driven Cleaning: By tracking SR, it eliminates guesswork in cleaning schedules, ensuring operations only proceed when necessary, thus saving resources.

 - Compliance: Adheres to IEC 61724-1, which mandates multi-point measurement for large plants, ensuring comprehensive coverage of varying pollution rates.

 - Low Maintenance: Requires no special maintenance beyond routine cleaning of surrounding components, reducing long-term operational burdens.  

Features  

- Technical Principle: Utilizes continuous multi-frequency blue light diffuse scattering closed-loop technology for accurate pollutant measurement.
- Standards Compliance: Conforms to IEC 61724-1:2017 and WMO standards, ensuring industry-recognized reliability.
- Soiling Ratio (SR) Performance: Measures SR in the range of 100% - 50% (where SR = 100 - Transmission Loss), with precision of ±1% (for 90-100% SR), ±3% (80-90% SR), and ±5% (50-80% SR).
- Additional Measurements: Optional PV module temperature monitoring (via PT100, range: -50~150°C, accuracy: ±0.5°C) and GPS (positioning accuracy: 10m).
- Connectivity: Outputs via RS485 (with optional relay) and uses Modbus-RTU for communication, enabling easy integration into management systems.
- Power Efficiency: Operates on 12~24VDC with maximum power consumption <2.5W @12V, ideal for low-power design.
- Durability: Suitable for harsh environments, with an operating range of -40°C to +60°C @ 0-90% RH, IP65 ingress protection, and stability of ±1%/year.
- User-Friendly Design: Features a visual desiccant window, high sensitivity, easy installation, 20m cable length, and lightweight (3.5kg) construction with dimensions 900×170×42mm.

Application

RK210-03 PV Soiling Sensor is primarily applied in PV power plants, where it is installed on the frame of solar panels within PV arrays. It is indispensable for large-scale solar parks requiring multi-point PV Soiling Measurement to account for uneven pollution distribution. Its robust design ensures performance in harsh environments, making it suitable for diverse climatic conditions. By integrating into power plant management systems, it provides a centralized view of soiling levels, optimizing maintenance workflows.  

Necessity

For PV power plants, maintaining high efficiency is critical for profitability. Soiling accumulation can lead to significant energy losses if left unmonitored. The IEC 61724-1 standard mandates multi-point measurement in large parks due to varying pollution rates, a requirement met by this PV Soiling Sensor.By enabling timely, targeted cleaning, the system prevents unnecessary energy loss and reduces operational costs associated with over-cleaning. Its low procurement, installation, and maintenance costs further enhance its necessity as an economical solution for sustained solar panel performance.

In summary, the PV Soiling Sensor is a vital tool for modern PV power plants, combining accurate PV Soiling Measurement, cost efficiency, and durability to ensure optimal solar panel performance through effective Solar Panel dust detection.