SR30-M2-D1 pyranometer

SR30-M2-D1 next level digital pyranometer
SR30 pyranometer, with Recirculating Ventilation and Heating (RVH) technology
SR30 pyranometer, ISO 9060 spectrally flat Class A and IEC 61724-1 Class A, for PV monitoring systems and meteorological networks
SR30 pyranometer with tube levelling mount for easy installation
External video URL
Pyranometer_SR30-M2-D1_video

Digital Class A (secondary standard) pyranometer with heating and tilt sensor

Welcome to the next level in solar radiation monitoring! The all-digital heated SR30-M2-D1 offers the highest accuracy and highest data availability: using Recirculating Ventilation and Heating (RVH™) technology, SR30 outperforms pyranometers equipped with traditional ventilation systems. SR30 is the ideal instrument for use in PV system performance monitoring and meteorological networks. It measures the solar radiation received by a plane surface, in W/m², from a 180 ° field of view angle. SR30 is an ISO 9060 spectrally flat Class A (previously “secondary standard”) pyranometer. It is employed where the highest measurement accuracy is required. SR30-M2-D1 offers several advantages over competing pyranometers:

Specifications

Measurand
  • hemispherical solar radiation
ISO 9060:2018 classification
  • spectrally flat Class A pyranometer
IEC 61724-1:2021 compliance
  • meets Class A PV monitoring system requirements
Would you like a personalised quote?

or contact us: info@hukseflux.com

Specifications

Measurand
  • hemispherical solar radiation
ISO 9060:2018 classification
  • spectrally flat Class A pyranometer
ISO 9060:1990 classification
  • secondary standard pyranometer
IEC 61724-1:2021 compliance
  • meets Class A PV monitoring system requirements
Application
  • National Meteorological Networks
  • PV monitoring commercial and utility scale
  • meteorology / climatology
  • other
Heater
  • with RVH Recirculating Ventilation and Heating
Output
  • Modbus RS-485
WMO performance level
  • high quality pyranometer
Calibration uncertainty
  • < 1.2 % (k = 2)
Measurand
  • sensor tilt angle
Tilt measurement uncertainty
  • ± 1 ° (0 to 90 °)
Heating
  • included
Ventilation
  • Included
Technology employed
  • Recirculating Ventilation and Heating (RVH™)
Standard operating mode
  • heated and ventilated
Power consumption
  • < 3 W at 12 VDC
Zero offset a
  • < 2 W/m²
Calibration traceability
  • to WRR
Calibration registers
  • accessible to users
Spectral range
  • 285 to 3000) x 10⁻⁹ m
Rated operating temperature range
  • -40 to +80 °C
Temperature response
  • < ± 0.4 % (-30 to +50 °C)
Temperature response test of individual instrument
  • report included
Directional response test of individual instrument
  • report included to 95 °
Tilt sensor test of individual instrument
  • report included
Standard cable length
  • 5 m
Rated operating voltage
  • 8 to 30 VDC range
Optional operation in low power mode
  • :
Operating condition
  • heater and ventilator [OFF] in low power mode
Zero offset a
  • 5 W/m² (unventilated) in low power mode
Power consumption
  • < 0.1 W at 12 VDC in low power mode
Digital output
  • :
Output
  • irradiance in W/m², instrument body temperature in °C, tilt angle in °, internal humidity in % and ventilator speed in RPM
Communication protocol
  • Modbus
Transmission mode
  • RTU
Hardware interface
  • 2-wire (half duplex) RS-485
Version order codes
  • SR30-M2-D1, SR30-M2-D1-LM01, SR30-M2-D1-TLM01
Options
  • spring-loaded levelling mount (Specify article number LM01 when ordering)
  • tube levelling mount with set of bolts (Specify article number TLM01 when ordering)
  • longer cable; 10 and 20 metres

Description

RVH™ - Recirculating Ventilation and Heating - technology, developed by Hukseflux

Heated for high data availability, featuring RVH™ technology

High data availability is attained by heating of the outer dome using ventilation between the inner and outer dome. RVH™- Recirculating Ventilation and Heating - technology, developed by Hukseflux, suppresses dew and frost deposition and is as effective as traditional ventilation systems, without the maintenance hassle and large footprint.

The dome of SR30 pyranometer is heated by ventilating the area between the inner and outer dome. RVH™ is much more efficient than traditional ventilation, where most of the heat is carried away with the ventilation air. Recirculating ventilation is as effective in suppressing dew and frost deposition at less than 3 W as traditional ventilation is at 10 W. RVH™ technology also leads to a reduction of zero offsets.

Only SR30-D1 offers ventilation and heating for Class A monitoring.

Compliant with IEC 61724-1:2021 Class A

SR30 is the first pyranometer compliant in its standard configuration with the IEC 61724-1:2021 Class A requirements. SR30 complies, without the need for additional accessories, with IEC requirements. It includes heating for dew and frost mitigation. The instrument has 2 heating modes; normal at < 3 W, and medium at < 0.65 W power.

SR30-M2-D1 pyranometer offers remote sensor diagnostics

Remote sensor diagnostics

In addition to solar irradiance, SR30 outputs sensor diagnostics such as:

  • tilt angle
  • internal ventilator speed (RPM)
  • internal humidity
  • heater current

Remote diagnostics permits real-time status monitoring, reducing the need for (un)scheduled field inspections.

Plane of Array (POA) installation: a tilt sensor is included with SR30 pyranometer for remote checks of instrument condition or to monitor PV systems with solar trackers

Tilt angle measurement included

SR30 includes a tilt sensor. This is very practical for remote checks of instrument condition or to monitor PV systems with solar trackers. The sensor measures with high accuracy, within 1 ˚, and is tested and temperature compensated between -30 and + 50 ˚C. SR30-M2-D1 offers improved electronics over its predecessor SR30-D1.  

ISO 9060:2018 spectrally flat Class A subclass is needed by the vast majority of pyranometer users

Spectrally flat as required for meteorology and PV monitoring

The new ISO 9060:2018 version defines pyranometer classes A, B and C. The standard also adds a new subclass, called "spectrally flat". The vast majority of users needs to use instruments of the spectrally flat subclass; only spectrally flat instruments measure with high accuracy, also when a cloud obscures the sun, or when the irradiance includes reflected radiation. These situations occur for example when you measure Global Horizontal irradiance (GHI) under partly or fully cloudy skies, when you measure Plane of Array (POA), albedo or net-radiation. Normal instruments, just of class A, B or C, and not spectrally flat, only measure accurately under clear sunny skies. 

New Hukseflux Sensor Manager software for communication between a PC and digital solar radiation sensors

New Sensor Manager software

The Hukseflux Sensor Manager software provides a user interface for communication between a PC and digital Hukseflux pyranometers and pyrheliometers with a Modbus interface. The software allows the user to locate, configure and test one or more sensors and to perform simple measurements using a PC. The Sensor Manager software can be downloaded: https://www.hukseflux.com/downloads. The new v2021 version of the Sensor Manager replaces previous versions such as v1817 and v1920 beta. Always use the latest version of the software. Need support in using the v2021 software? Please consult the separate Sensor Manager user manual.

SR30-M2-D1 next level digital pyranometer, successor of model SR30-D1

SR30-M2-D1 pyranometer is the successor of model SR30-D1. This product page offers you information on SR30-M2-D1. Need support for the discontinued SR30-D1? Please refer to SR30-D1's separate manual.

Hukseflux SR30 pyranometer with heating and ventilation offers the highest accuracy and data availability in solar monitoring
External video URL

Suggested use

  • PV system performance monitoring
  • scientific meteorological observations

Frequently asked questions

How does a pyranometer work?

A pyranometer measures the solar radiation received by a plane surface from a 180 ° field of view angle. This quantity, expressed in W/m², is called “hemispherical” solar radiation. The solar radiation spectrum extends roughly from 285 to 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m. By definition a pyranometer should cover that spectral range with a spectral selectivity that is as “flat” as possible.

In an irradiance measurement by definition the response to “beam” radiation varies with the cosine of the angle of incidence; i.e. it should have full response when the solar radiation hits the sensor perpendicularly (normal to the surface, sun at zenith, 0 ° angle of incidence), zero response when the sun is at the horizon (90 ° angle of incidence, 90 ° zenith angle), and 50 % of full response at 60 ° angle of incidence. A pyranometer should have a so-called “directional response” (older documents mention “cosine response”) that is as close as possible to the ideal cosine characteristic.

In order to attain the proper directional and spectral characteristics, a pyranometer's main components are:

•    a thermal sensor with black coating. It has a flat spectrum covering the 200 to 50000 x 10⁻⁹ m range, and has a near-perfect directional response. The coating absorbs all solar radiation and, at the moment of absorption, converts it to heat. The heat flows through the sensor to the sensor body. The thermopile sensor generates a voltage output signal that is proportional to the solar irradiance.

•    a glass dome. This dome limits the spectral range from 285 to 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m (cutting off the part above 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m), while preserving the 180 ° field of view angle. Another function of the dome is that it shields the thermopile sensor from the environment (convection, rain).

•    a second (inner) glass dome: For secondary standard and first class pyranometers, two domes are used, and not one single dome. This construction provides an additional "radiation shield", resulting in a better thermal equilibrium between the sensor and inner dome, compared to using a single dome. The effect of having a second dome is a strong reduction of instrument offsets.

•    a heater: in order to reduce the effect of dew deposition and frost on the outer dome surface, most advanced pyranometers have a built-in heater. The heater is coupled to the sensor body. Heating a pyranometer can generate additional irradiance offset signals, therefore it is recommended to activate the heater only during night-time. Combining a heater with external ventilation makes these heating offsets very low.

Why use a pyranometer?

There are good reasons why pyranometers are the standard for solar radiation measurement in outdoor PV system performance monitoring. 

The purpose of outdoor PV testing is to compare the available resource to system output and thus to determine efficiency. The efficiency estimate serves as an indication of overall performance and stability. It also serves as a reference for remote diagnostics and need for servicing.

The irradiance measurement for outdoor PV performance monitoring is usually carried out with pyranometers. Some standards suggest using PV reference cells. Reference cells are (with some minor exceptions) unsuitable for proof in bankability and in proof of PV system efficiency. Pyranometers are and will remain the standard for outdoor solar energy monitoring.

From a fundamental point of view:

  • Pyranometers measure truly available solar irradiance (so the amount of available resource). This is the parameter you need to have for a true efficiency calculation.
  • Reference cells measure only that part of solar radiation that can be used by cells of identical material and identical packaging (flat window), so the yield of a certain PV cell type. This is not a measurement that can be used in an efficiency calculation and in fact leads to several percentage points error in efficiency estimates.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) and ASTM standards for PV monitoring recommend pyranometers for outdoor PV monitoring. PV reference cells do not meet IEC 61724-1 class A requirements for irradiance measurement uncertainty: their directional response makes them systematically overestimate daily radiant exposure in J/m2 (or W·hr/m2 ) by more than 2 %, larger on hourly basis. 

How do I choose a pyranometer?

Choosing the right pyranometer for your application is not an easy task. We can offer assistance. But first, you should ask yourself the following questions:

  • are there standards for my application?
  • what level of accuracy do I need?
  • what will be the instrument maintenance level?
  • what are the interfacing possibilities?

When discussing with Hukseflux, our recommendation for the best suited pyranometer will be based on:

  • recommended pyranometer class
  • recommended maintenance level
  • estimate of the measurement accuracy
  • recommended calibration policy
  • recommended interface

Pyranometers can be manufactured to different specifications and with different levels of verification and characterisation during production. The ISO 9060 - 1990 standard, “Solar energy - specification and classification of instruments for measuring hemispherical solar and direct solar radiation”, distinguishes between 3 classes; secondary standard (highest accuracy), first class (second highest accuracy) and second class (third highest accuracy). From second class to first class and from first class to secondary standard, the achievable accuracy improves by a factor 2.

The ISO 9060 - 1990 standard is up for revision. The new 2018 version of the standard will be slightly different from the 1990 version. The new version of ISO 9060 includes three instrument accuracy classes A, B and C, and a special extension of every class “Spectrally Flat”, which is recommended for Plane of Array (POA), albedo, and reflected solar measurements.

Our pyranometer selection guide offers practical guidelines for choosing a pyranometer. The application of pyranometers in PV system performance monitoring according to IEC 61724-1 is highlighted as an example. Sensors specific for diffuse radiation and meteorological networks are also addressed in this selection guide.

What is the difference between a pyrheliometer and a pyranometer?

A pyranometer measures hemispherical solar radiation. When measuring in the horizontal plane this is called Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI). When measuring in “plane of array”, next to PV panels, this is called plane of array POA irradiance.

A pyrheliometer is used to measure Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI). DNI is defined as the solar radiant flux collected by a plane unit surface normal to the axis pointing towards the centre of the sun, within an optical angular aperture. DNI is composed of the solar irradiance within the extent of the solar disk (half-angle 0.266 ° ± 1.7 %) plus some circumsolar radiation.

SR30-M2-D1 pyranometer
SR30-M2-D1 next level digital pyranometer
  • Heated for high data availability, featuring RVH™ technology
  • Compliant with IEC 61724-1:2021 Class A and B
  • Low cost of ownership
  • Remote sensor diagnostics
  • Liabilities covered: test certificates
Would you like a personalised quote?

or contact us: info@hukseflux.com