
Photovoltaic Reference Cells for PV Monitoring
Our photovoltaic reference cells offer an economical but robust and reliable solution for measuring solar irradiance levels, particularly for monitoring photovoltaic systems. The design of these silicon solar irradiation sensors (Si sensors), which corresponds to that of a photovoltaic module, make these sensors ideally suited as a reference for monitoring photovoltaic systems. The spectral sensitivity, which corresponds to that of photovoltaic modules, and the very similar incident angle modifier, enable a precise analysis of photovoltaic yields using measured values from the sensor.
We have been manufacturing various types of Si sensors since 1994. So far, we have sold several 10,000 pv reference cells worldwide.
The Measurement Uncertainty of all Si sensors with RS485 and the Si-mV-85-Pt100(0) is class A as per IEC 61724-1. All other Si sensors are class B. The Measurement Uncertainty of our pv reference cells with temperature compensation depends on the sensor type. The digital Si sensor have in the range of 100 to 1500 W/sqm a uncertainty of ±1.0 W/qm ± 2.0% of reading.
All our pv reference cells have consistent measuring ranges of the solar irradiance (0 to 1500 W/sqm) and the internal temperature of the sensor cell (-40 to +90°C).
Current Data
Typ | Measurment | Supply | Temperature Compensation | Irradiance Signal 0…1500 W/sqm | Cell Temperature Signal -40…+90°C |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Si-V-1.5TC-batt-D / -E | Class B | battery | yes | 0...1.5 V | --- |
Si-V-1.5TC | Class B | 4...28 Vdc | yes | 0...1.5 V | --- |
Si-V-1.5TC-T | Class B | 5.5...28 Vdc | yes | 0...1.5 V | 0...2 V |
Si-mV-85 | Class B | none | no | 0...approx. 85 mV | --- |
Si-mV-85-Pt100 / -4L1 | Class A | none | no | 0...approx. 85 mV | Pt100 |
Si-mV-85-Pt1000 / -4L1 | Class A | none | no | 0...approx. 85 mV | Pt1000 |
Si-I-420TC | Class B | 12...28 Vdc | yes | 4...20 mA | --- |
Si-I-420TC-T | Class B | 12...28 Vdc | yes | 4...20 mA | 4...20 mA |
Si-V-10TC | Class B | 12...28 Vdc | yes | 0...10 V | --- |
Si-V-10TC-T | Class B | 12...28 Vdc | yes | 0...10 V | 0...10 V |
Si-RS485TC-T | Class A | 10...28 Vdc | yes | RS485 | RS485 |
Si-RS485TC-2T 2 | Class A | 10...28 Vdc | yes | RS485 | RS485 |
Si-RS485TC-3T 3 | Class A | 10...28 Vdc | yes | RS485 | RS485 |
Si-RS485TC-T-Tm 4 | Class A | 10...28 Vdc | yes | RS485 | RS485 |
Si-RS485TC-2T-v 5 | Class A | 10...28 Vdc | yes | RS485 | RS485 |
1 "-4L": Version with four wire connection of Pt100 / Pt1000
Notes about Digital Sensor:
2 for Si-RS485TC-2T: Fixed connected ambient temperature sensor Pt1000 with 3 m cable
3 for Si-RS485TC-3T: Two connector for two temperature sensor (Tamb-Si or Tmodul-Si)
4 for Si-RS485TC-T-Tm: Fixed connected module temperature sensor Pt1000 with 3 m cable
5 for Si-RS485TC-2T-v: Connector for one temperature sensor (Tamb-Si or Tmodul-Si) and one wind speed sensor (Vwind-Si)
Addendum -MB in type designation: Modbus protocol
Addendum -MT in type designation: M&T protocol
A selection table with notes with the correct digital Si sensor and optional external sensor you can find here.
Optional Sensor for Connection with Si-RS485TC-2T-v:
Module Temperature Sensor: Tmodul-Si (Pt1000)
Ambient Temperature Sensor: Tamb-Si (Pt1000)
Weather Protection for Ambient Temperature Sensor: Shield Tamb-Si
Windspeed Sensor: Vwind-Si
Downloads
- Solar Irradiance SensorData Sheet of our Analog and Digital Silicon Irradiance Sensor
- Selection Table for Si Sensor with RS485List of all Types of our Digital Si Sensor including external Sensor
- Quick Reference Guide Analog Si SensorManual of our Analog Si Sensor
- Quick Reference Guide Digital Si SensorManual of our Digital Si Sensor
- Drawing of Si SensorDrawing with all Dimension of our Si Sensor
Software
- Si-Modbus-Configurator_V0.23Configuration tool for Silicon Irradiance and Temperature Sensors with RS485 / Modbus
- Si-Modbus-Configurator ManualManual of the Si-Modbus-Configuration Software for Si Sensors
- Si-RS485, Specification of Modbus ProtocolDescription of Modbus Protocol of our Si RS485 Sensor
- Si-RS485, Specification M&T ProtocolDescription of M&T Protocol of our Si RS485 Sensor
Add-ons Si-Series
- Tmodul-Si, Module TemperatureDatasheet, external Sensor for Si Sensor Si-RS485TC-2T-v
- Tamb-Si, Ambient TemperatureDatasheet, external Sensor for Si Sensor Si-RS485TC-2T-v
- Shield_Tamb, Weather and Sun ProtectionWeather and Sun Protection for Ambient Temperature Sensor. Suitable for Si-RS485TC-2T, Tamb-Si, Ta-ext-RS485 and Ta-ext-X-4090
- Vwind-Si, Wind SpeedDatasheet, external Sensor for Si Sensor Si-RS485TC-2T-v
- JB-01 Junction Box SetQuick Reference Guide for realization of a cable extension or a daisy chain connection
Modbus Instructions
- Huawei SmartloggerEMI Settings for Si-RS485... and Tx-RS485... Sensors
- SMA DatamanagerSensor Settings for Si-RS485... and Tx-RS485... Sensors
- Sungrow LoggerSensor Settings for Si-RS485…-MB and Tx-RS485-MB
- Victron CCGXConnecting IMT Solar Irradiance, Temperature and wind sensors