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Assessments for meteorological data bases for project developments

Meteorological measurement station at PSA. Source: DLR

Meteorological information is essential for the layout, the operation, and the assessment of solar plants and their components. The department Qualification at the Institute for Solar Research determines the meteorological parameters which are relevant for solar power plants and analyzes their effect on the performance of this technology.

For the development of solar plant projects accurate information about the solar resources of a site is required. Therefore, our scientists develop standards and guidelines for the evaluation of solar resources to improve the meteorological data base for project developments.

The parameters we measure are:

• Solar irradiance: The accuracy of irradiance data is crucial for the accuracy of the total efficiency measurement of a solar plant and the resource assessment. To minimize the errors of irradiance measurements sophisticated sensor calibration is required. Also the spectral distribution of the irradiance is of importance and is measured and modelled.
• Soiling level: Soil deposition on mirrors and photovoltaic modules (PV) reduces the efficiency of power plants significantly. The TraCS system allows for regular measurements of the soiling level of mirrors to avoid a decrease of the performance. For PV applications uncleaned modules or reference cells are compared with cleaned devices. Models of the soiling rate are developed based on the measurements.
• Aerosols: The irradiation, the soiling, and the solar extinction between the heliostat and the receiver are also influenced by aerosols. Therefore, we perform regular measurements with an AERONET sun photometer, LiDAR systems, and particle counters to measure these effects and derive models for their efficient determination.
• For irradiance nowcasting and investigations of dynamic effects of clouds on the solar resources on a site we also use LiDAR systems and various cloud cameras.
• Dynamic wind load on collector structures and receivers: We perform wind measurements with high temporal resolution.
• Circumsolar radiation: The circumsolar radiation is largely included in the DNI but it is only partially received by the receivers of focusing collectors. Therefore, we develop measurement techniques and models to determine the circumsolar radiation and its impact on concentrating plants.

Our services are split into three specialized areas:

• Solar Radiation
• Nowcasting
• Further Relevant Parameters