BIFACIAL PYRANOMETER FOR ENHANCED SOLAR IRRADIANCE MEASUREMENT

Abstract

This invention pertains to a bifacial pyranometer suitable for measuring solar irradiance for both the front and rear faces of bifacial photovoltaic (PV) panels. Traditional pyranometers have only the ability to measure irradiance from a single side and therefore do not allow for capturing irradiance from both direct and reflected sunlight, which pose problems when optimizing bifacial solar panels. This bifacial pyranometer removes these limitations by harnessing a dual sensor setup in one device to simultaneously and accurately measure solely the solar radiation on both the front and rear sides. It that contains two sensors of the pyranometer mounted back to back between one common housing structure. Solar irradiance from each side is measured individually by each sensor that is calibrated independently. In addition to the sensors being protected by a robust, weather resistant casing the device also includes a robust protection from the environmental elements like dust, rain and temperature fluctuations. The device is equipped with a signal processing unit to filter, calibrate and process data from both sensors, to ensure accurate and reliable measurements. Meaningful temperature compensation algorithms incorporated into the signal processing unit ensure that measurement accuracy is maintained across range of varying environmental conditions.

Specification

Description:Field of the invention
[001] This invention is an improvement in the art for a bifacial pyranometer designed for accurately measuring the solar irradiance on both the front and back surfaces. In particular, this is in regards to measuring solar radiation incidence onto bifacial solar panel to maximize energy generation produced within a photovoltaic application.
Description of Related Art
[002] Typically mounted horizontally, conventional pyranometers are designed to measure the incident solar irradiance at only one side of the instrument. Given the rise of bifacial panels that harvest irradiance from both front and back surfaces, a suitable device for measuring irradiance on both surfaces with a minimal time and spatial resolution loss is needed.
[003] Solar panels featuring bifaciality can greatly boost energy yield at the expense of diffused and reflected solar radiation utilization on the rear surface. Nevertheless, existing conventional pyranometers cannot simultaneously record irradiance from both the front and rear sides, preventing the optimization of bifacial photovoltaic systems.
[004] Accurate estimation of solar irradiance on both sides of the bifacial photovoltaic systems is needed to optimize the systems. The data of the incident solar radiation has traditionally been measured using pyranometers. However, while conventional pyranometers are typically designed to record radiation upon one side only, there is a significant limitation, when applied to bifacial systems. Traditional pyranometers placed near to bifacial panels is unable to see the complete irradiance picture, such as the matters of the reflected and diffused light toward the rear surface of the panel. Thus, it can result inaccuracies in bifacial panels performance estimation and optimization.
[005] To measure solar irradiance with the bifacial technology, a new approach is required. The analysis and quantification of energy output and measured efficiency improvement in bifacial PV systems without a means to measure incident radiation on both the front and back sides of the system from is difficult. However, a standard, monofacial pyranometer does not include this rear side irradiance and is thus missing an important part of the data that is relevant to predictions of overall energy yield. A bifacial pyranometer capable of simultaneously capturing the front and rear irradiance is therefore critical for there.
[006] Challenges addressed by the invention of a bifacial pyranometer are the invention of a dual sensor device that measures irradiance on the front and back surfaces. The bifacial pyranometer offers the ability to capture, simultaneously, the direct, diffused, and reflected sunlight impacting the two surfaces of bifacial panel by intercalating two pyranometer sensors in a common housing. This innovation does not only accommodate and guarantees accurate collection of data, but also allows real time monitoring for optimating the operation of bifacial PV systems under native irradiance condition.
[007] Designed to be inexpensive and easy to install, the bifacial pyranometer can provide very accurate measurements of the front and rear irradiance, maximizing the energy yield of bifacial PV systems. With the integration of dual sensors and advanced signal processing, this device enables engineers and researchers to gain a complete insight of the solar radiation conditions helping to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of bifacial PV technology in the renewable energy business.
SUMMARY
[008] This work will develop and test a novel device, the bifacial pyranometer, that measures solar irradiance on the front and rear side of bifacial photovoltaic panels (PV). Addressing a critical need in the growing bifacial solar market, the invention solves for the inability of traditional single sided pyranometers to fully capture the spectrum of solar radiation.
[009] A bifacial pyranometer is developed by incorporating dual sensors in a compact, integrated design, offering reliable and comprehensive irradiance data to maximize energy output and improve performance analysis of bifacial PV systems.
[0010] A bifacial pyranometer measures the solar radiation that strikes the front and rear surfaces of bifacial solar panels. The incident radiation comprises either direct sunlight or diffused radiation derived from the sky is captured by the front sensor. The rear sensor, which measures radiation that the ground or surrounding surfaces and any remaining diffused sunlight reflect to the back of the bifacial panel, is measured at the same time.
[0011] Both sensors then send the signals to the device's signal processing unit, which then processes and calibrates the signals. With this dual sensor data, the total solar irradiance incident on the bifacial panel is fully captured thereby more accurately estimating energy performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 A schematic diagram of the bifacial pyranometer, showing its front and rear sensors arranged back-to-back within a protective casing. The diagram illustrates the dual sensor configuration and their respective orientations for capturing direct and reflected solar irradiance;
[0013] FIG. 2 A schematic diagram of the bifacial pyranometer, mounted on a PV Panel. This drawing demonstrates the alignment of the device with the photovoltaic panel, depicting how the sensors are positioned to measure direct solar irradiance from the front and reflected solar irradiance from the rear.
[0014] Together these drawings represent the structural as well as functional aspects of the bifacial pyranometer-its orientation and alignment with the solar panels to maximize irradiance measurement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] A new form of solar irradiance measuring device has been developed and tested, an innovative bifacial pyranometer, designed with a unique geometry that is specific for bifacial photovoltaic (PV) panels. Our invention is a dual sensor setup that accurately measures the solar radiation incident on the front and rear surfaces of bifacial panels. This device is necessary for maximizing the energy yield of bifacial solar systems by supplying accurate and detailed irradiance data.
[0016] The bifacial pyranometer is a two sensor pyranometer both instruments mounted end on end in a compact housing. By using this dual cell configuration, the device can capture solar irradiance from the front and from the back, meaning from direct sunlight entering the device, and through the transmission light in the device, as well as from reflected light coming in from the reverse. Environmental conditions including dust, rain and temperature variation are not to adversely affect the sensors by the device's protective casing.
[0017] Both sensors are calibrated independently to produce accurate measurement of solar irradiance. The calibration of this procedure consists of bringing the sensors into alignment with a known light source and noting the voltage response to first measure the baseline for exact irradiance response.
[0018] FIG. 1 A schematic diagram of the bifacial pyranometer, showing its front and rear sensors arranged back-to-back within a protective casing. The diagram illustrates the dual sensor configuration and their respective orientations for capturing direct and reflected solar irradiance;
[0019] FIG. 2 A schematic diagram of the bifacial pyranometer, mounted on a PV Panel. This drawing demonstrates the alignment of the device with the photovoltaic panel, depicting how the sensors are positioned to measure direct solar irradiance from the front and reflected solar irradiance from the rear.
[0020] A protective, weather resistant housing encloses the dual sensor assembly. The intended housing surrounds the sensors and protects them from the environment (rain, dust, wind), while admitting the radiation of solar irradiance. Made of durable, lightweight materials that don't interfere with thermal measurements, the casing helps to provide consistently accurate measurements.
[0021] Built into the bifacial pyranometer is a signal processing unit to collect and process data from both sensors. This unit contains a micro controller to filter and calibrate this raw sensor data. The response compensates for temperature variations, sensor sensitivity, any noise introduced in the measurement. Irradiance data that are in digital format are output by the signal processing unit for later analysis or transmission.
[0022] It has a mounting system that can be installed in line with bifacial solar panels. The panel inclination and orientation can be adjusted by the mounting system, and it is also adjustable. This feature maintains that the bifacial pyranometer is sighting mechanism is positioned in line with the panels it is measuring thereby recording irradiance data that represents the real operating conditions of the panels.
[0023] A data transmission interface is incorporated into the bifacial pyranometer to achieve real time monitoring and data analysis. This interface interacts with external monitoring systems via wi fi, bluetooth or other wireless protocol. Irradiance values from both sensors are transmitted to allow remote monitoring and assessment of performance of bifacial PV system.
[0024] A bifacial pyranometer collects solar irradiance from both the front and rear surfaces of bifacial solar panels. The front sensor measures the direct and diffused solar radiation when sunlight hits the front surface of the panel. At the same time, the rear sensor records the irradiance reflected from the ground or adjacent structures and any additional diffuse sunlight that hits the rear side of the panel.
[0025] Within the signal processing unit, the data collected from both sensors is processed and calibrated for accurate reliable measurements. To optimize the bifacial panel's energy yield and efficiency, this data gives a full picture of the solar radiation reaching the bifacial panel.
[0026] Ensuring the accuracy of irradiance measurement depends on the accuracy of calibration of pyranometer sensors. A standard light source is used to calibrate each sensor, and a baseline voltage response is recorded. It uses this baseline to convert the voltage readings of the sensors to irradiance values (watts per square meter, W/m²). Temperature compensation algorithms to offset variability of the sensor sensitivity by ambient temperature are also incorporated in the signal processing unit.
[0027] The device also periodically recalibrates to keep measurement accuracy. The protective housing of the bifacial pyranometer is designed to minimize thermal drift and external interference of the device.
[0028] The invention of the bifacial pyranometer in the conclusion is a big step over previous pyranometers limitation in bifacial PV applications. A suitable solution for measuring solar irradiance on bifacial panels is due to its real time monitoring capabilities, dual sensor design and easy installation. The use of the bifacial pyranometer delivers accurate and comprehensive irradiance data to help optimize the energy yield of bifacial PV systems and provide more efficient and more effective performance for solar energy installations.
[0029] With this detailed description of the bifacial pyranometer, we detail its components, working principle, process of calibrating it, applications and advantages. The invention represents a useful tool for researchers, engineers and operators in the solar energy industry to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of bifacial PV technology.
, Claims:1. I/We Claim: A bifacial pyranometer comprising a dual-sensor assembly for measuring solar irradiance, wherein the assembly includes:
A front pyranometer sensor configured to measure the direct and diffuse solar radiation incident on the front side;
A rear pyranometer sensor configured to measure the reflected and diffused solar radiation incident on the rear side;
2. I/We Claim: The bifacial pyranometer of Claim 1, wherein the sensors are mounted back-to-back within a common housing structure with provisions for ventilation and temperature regulation.
3. I/We Claim: The bifacial pyranometer of Claim 1, further comprising a signal processing unit to filter, process, and calibrate data received from both sensors.
4. I/We Claim: The bifacial pyranometer of Claim 1, wherein the sensors are individually calibrated to provide accurate irradiance measurements.
5. I/We Claim: The bifacial pyranometer of Claim 1, further comprising a data transmission interface to communicate irradiance measurements to an external monitoring system.

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