Last update 12 JUN 2023

Sunmeter Pro bifacial irradiance sensor – Accurate, Reliable Bifacial Photovoltaic Pyranometer

Sunmeter PRO bifacial irradiance sensor is a combination of two digital photovoltaic pyranometers (or silicon irradiance sensors) for calculating bifacial photovoltaic plant performance with a high degree of precision and reliability.

The sensor simply consists of two Sunmeter Pro photovoltaic pyranometers in which the upward facing pyranometer measures the incoming global solar radiation and the downward facing pyranometer measures the reflected global solar radiation.

This bifacial irradiance sensor helps in measuring the performance of the bifacial PV module’s as well as helps in the calculation of the Solar albedo. Solar albedo which is the ratio of the reflected radiation to the global radiation. It mainly depends on the properties of the surface and the directional distribution of the incoming solar radiation.

Solar albedo = reflected radiation/global radiation

Bifacial PV module has a glass panel at the back, while a normal PV module has an opaque metal back. Therefore Bifacial PV module can collect radiation and generate electricity from both front and back of the PV module.With the surging applications of bifacial modules, This kind of albedometers are very essential for the to calculate performance of bifacial PV modules with more accuracy.Measuring performance of Bifacial PV module gainBifacial solar cells enable the absorption of light also by the rear side of the cell. Hence increasing energy yield of a bifacial module, Yield bifacial (Ybifi) compared to the energy yield of a monofacial module Yield monofacial (Ymono) installed under the same conditionsis given below,

Bifacial gain = (Ybifi -Ymono) / Ymono

In order to measure the albedo (reflecting radiation) of a surface, the instrument used is called albedometer. Most common application of this is to measure earth’s surface reflection.On the contrary for PV sector, photovoltaic pyranometers are most recommended to use. In the case of meteorological studies thermopile pyranometers are more suitable.

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Its monocrystalline silicon cell is laminated with glass for photovoltaic modules and E.V.A. like a micro PV module. It has additional stabilization processes and tests to minimize measurement drift over time. The cost includes a recalibration service after one year as well as the immediate replacement of the irradiance sensor if tolerance exceeds 3.5%. The Sunmeter PRO is easy to install and use. Compared to the Class A thermopile pyranometer, it provides a more adequate measure for the calculation of the P.R.. Every Solarimeter cell has been calibrated by a stabilized PV reference cell at the Dakks accredited ISFH. This irradiance sensor is available in two models:

the “complete model” which provides for Analog and Digital output.
the digital output only model.

Note: the terms irradiance sensor, photovoltaic pyranometer, reference cell and solarimeter are interchangeable. On this site we will use photovoltaic pyranometer. To learn more click here.

Key features

Monocrystalline silicon cell
Inbuilt TZOS® technology for measurement
IEC 60904-2 compliant, RS485 standard Modbus RTU for reliable signals up to 500m from the data-logger
IEC EN 61724-1 compliant (standard for PV Monitoring Systems)
Uses temperature compensation for more accurate reading.
Performance decline of less than 1.5% per year.
Analog and digital output, compatible with most of data-loggers.
Higher weather resistance.
IEC EN 61215 par.10,11,12 compliant (product aging).
Mounting brackets for easy installation.
High calibration of temperature data for an error less than 1%
FREE 12 month recalibration service included.

Datasheet

NAME	SunMeter PRO bifacial irradiance sensor
PRODUCT	solar irradiance sensor with monocrystalline silicon cell (photovoltaic pyranometer)
REFERENCE STANDARDS	IEC 60904-2; 60904-4; 60904-10; IEC EN 61215, EN 61215
OUTPUT	Digital and Analog (when ordering, specify the model)
Calibration	Made through a double adjustment for comparison with a PV reference cell calibrated by the Dakks accredited ISFH Institute.
Input range	Irradiance:	0 ÷ 1500 W/m²(IEC EN 61724-1 compliant)
	Spectral range	0.3 μm ÷ 1.1 μm
	Temperature	-30 ÷ +90 °C
Output	Voltage⁽¹⁾	0 ÷ 10 V, 0 ÷ 5 V (optional kit for 0 ÷ 40 mV)
	Current⁽¹⁾	0÷ 20 mA, 4÷ 20 mA
	Digital	RS485 standard Modbus RTU
Output precision	Irradiance	≤± 2%
	Temperature	≤± 0.5°C
Supply	9 ÷ 30 Vdc protected from reverse polarity and short circuiting
Encapsulation	Laminated with glass for photovoltaic modules, E.V.A. UV resistant (see IEC 60904-2)
Casing	Aluminum with screw-clamp for mounting
Wire	50cm UV-resistant casing.
Connectors	Standard M12 8 pin male IP67 code
Dimensions	114x70x22mm without the fixing clamp

(1): The analog output is present only in the models on wire # 6 of the SM1 PRO. Wire # 6 can be configured as voltage or current output. (2): Digital RS485 is always present on wire n#4 and n#5

Accessories

Temmeter
USB/RS485 interface cable
USB/MICRO-USB smartphone adapter
Sm configuration for Android smartphone and tablet
SMCONFIG allows you to configure Sunmeter in the field from your Android smartphone. It is no longer necessary to bring the Sunmeter back to the laboratory for configuration. The software allows you to:
- configure Sunmeter.
- make a diagnosis of the basic functions.
- log irradiance, temperature and wind (Sunmeter Wind only) readings.
The software is available for free on this page in the downloads area. In addition to the software it is necessary to have a USB / RS485 converter, an adapter cable between microUSB/USB and a female connector M12 4 pin for Sunmeter. In the Download area you can find a wiring diagram of our cable that connects Smartphone/Tablet or PC with the irradiance sensor, it takes and transforms the voltage present on the USB (Price on request). Alternatively, it is possible to use other cables with external power supply (9V battery).

Compatibility

Producer	Datalogger / Inverter model
Huawei	SmartLogger 1000/2000/3000 (Table 8.2 of Huawei SmartLogger3000 User Manual)
Fractalgarden	ErmesLog
GreenPowerMonitor	GPM Datalogger
Higeco	GWC Datalogger
GH Solutions	M501-502
SMA	Data Manager M
SolarEdge	SE Gateway Datalogger*
Growatt	ShineMaster Datalogger
Kaco	Kaco Inverter
Sungrow	Sungrow Datalogger
GoodWe	EZlogger
Encombi	ECpv – ECcube

* only for the complete model (Analog & Digital output) of Sunmeter because SE Gateway Datalogger is a datalogger with Analog Input

Downloads

Possible Combinations

Cod.	Irradiance sensor	Calculated value	Output	Associated sensors
SM1PRO SM1-485PRO	Sunmeter Pro	Solar Irradiance Temperature of Sensor Cell	Digital and Analog Digital
SM1PRO SM1-485PRO	Sunmeter Pro	Solar Irradiance Temperature of Sensor Cell Module Temperature	Digital and Analog Digital	TEMMETER
SM1PRO SM1-485PRO	Sunmeter Pro (and SM Pro Counter, SM Pro Sunspec)	Solar Irradiance Temperature of Sensor Cell Ambient Temperature	Digital and Analog Digital	Envmeter	or	Envmeter PRO
SM1-485PRO COUNTER	Sunmeter Pro Counter	Solar Irradiance Solar Irradiation Temperature of Sensor Cell Module Temperature	Digital	TEMMETER
SM1-485PRO WIND	Sunmeter Pro Wind	Solar Irradiance Temperature of Sensor Cell Wind Speed	Digital	ANEMOMETER
SM1-485PRO WIND	Sunmeter Pro Wind	Solar Irradiance Temperature of Sensor Cell Wind Speed Module Temperature	Digital	ANEMOMETER	+	TEMMETER

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Sunmeter Pro bifacial irradiance sensor – Accurate, Reliable Bifacial Photovoltaic Pyranometer

Sunmeter PRO bifacial irradiance sensor is a combination of two digital photovoltaic pyranometers (or silicon irradiance sensors) for calculating bifacial photovoltaic plant performance with a high degree of precision and reliability.

More information

Key features

Datasheet

Accessories

Temmeter

USB/RS485 interface cable

USB/MICRO-USB smartphone adapter

Sm configuration for Android smartphone and tablet

Compatibility

Downloads

Possible Combinations

Choose a product type

Protection against lightening

Protects irradiance sensors and photovoltaic monitoring equipment from lightening induced overvoltages. Discover Blitz-Wall!

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