Photovoltaic Weather Stations: Optimizing Solar Farm Performance through Environmental Monitoring

Photovoltaic Weather Stations are specifically developed for solar power plants to monitor, in real-time, various environmental parameters related to power generation efficiency. They provide critical data for site selection assessment, power generation forecasting, operation and maintenance management, and efficiency optimization.

The monitored parameters include ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, as well as key solar radiation data (such as global horizontal irradiance, global tilted irradiance, direct normal irradiance, and diffuse horizontal irradiance), and the temperature of PV module backsheets.

Powered by a green energy supply system combining solar panels and batteries, these stations support long-term, unattended operation.

They are widely used in centralized large-scale photovoltaic power plants, distributed PV systems (such as commercial and industrial rooftops and building-integrated photovoltaics), and PV poverty alleviation projects.

Before plant construction, long-term monitoring of global solar radiation, direct radiation, and diffuse radiation enables accurate assessment of local solar energy resources and calculation of annual equivalent full-load hours. This serves as the fundamental scientific basis for project investment decisions.

By comparing the actual power generation with the theoretically calculated output based on real-time meteorological conditions, the system can quickly diagnose abnormalities such as module degradation, shading, or failures. This guides maintenance personnel in performing targeted inspections and upkeep.

It also serves an early warning function. When wind speeds are excessively high or extreme weather occurs, the system sends alerts to operators in advance, guiding the plant to initiate protective measures.