The meteorological station on the Plataforma Solar de Almería (owner and operator: CIEMAT) has special measuring instruments that make it possible to precisely characterise the solar conditions.
At the METAS measuring station, DLR and the Spanish research centre CIEMAT are researching meteorological influences that need to be taken into account in the planning, operation and evaluation of solar power plants. They are developing meteorological models as well as measurement and forecasting systems to optimise the operation of solar power plants and energy systems. The measuring station is located at CIEMAT's Plataforma Solar de Almería.
The measuring station has special measuring instruments that make it possible to precisely characterise solar conditions. The following parameters are recorded with the METAS instruments:
Solar radiation components: Direct radiation, diffuse radiation, global radiation at different levels, infrared radiation
Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)
Solar spectra
Wind direction, speed and gusts
Aerosol optical thickness, aerosol properties and integrated water vapour
Humidity, pressure and temperature
Circum-solar radiation
Radiation transmittance
Soiling losses
Albedo
View from the METAS station to CIEMAT's Plataforma Solar de Almería
Research at the measuring station contributes to the development of systems that optimise the operation and predictability of solar power plants and energy systems.
This leads to improved energy production, distribution and efficiency. METAS also makes it possible to evaluate and calibrate various measurement methods, radiation forecasting systems and meteorological data sets. The measurements from DLR and CIEMAT allow companies to make more accurate yield calculations, system assessments and forecasts.
