Spectrafy SolarSIM-GPV User manual

User Manual:

Solar Spectral Irradiance Meter

SolarSIM-GPV

©Spectrafy, 2022

User information

Spectrafy Inc. strongly recommends reading this instruction manual prior to installation and

operation of your global Solar Spectral Irradiance Meter (SolarSIM-GPV).

If you have any comments about this manual or our products, please send them to:

Spectrafy Inc. Inc.

4 Florence St, Suite 204

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

K2P 0W7

Tel: 1-613-237-2020

[email protected]

www.spectrafy.com

Spectrafy Inc. reserves the right to make modiﬁcations to the user manual without prior

notice.

Warranty and liability

Spectrafy Inc. guarantees that the Solar Spectral Irradiance Meter (SolarSIM-GPV) has been

thoroughly tested to ensure that it meets all of the stated speciﬁcations. A two year warranty

is provided from date of invoice, subject to correct installation and operation. Spectrafy Inc.

accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from improper usage of this product.

Contents

Introduction 1

1 Main components 2

1.1 Glassdome .................................... 3

1.2 Enclosure ..................................... 3

1.3 Bandpassﬁlters.................................. 3

1.4 Bubblelevel.................................... 3

1.5 Connector..................................... 3

1.6 Backplate ..................................... 3

2 Installation 4

2.1 Contentsofdelivery................................ 4

2.2 Mechanicalinstallation.............................. 4

3 Maintenance 5

3.1 Cleaning...................................... 5

3.2 Alignment..................................... 5

3.3 Desiccant ..................................... 5

3.4 Recalibration ................................... 5

4 Connectivity 7

5 Data outputs 8

5.1 Dataoutputs ................................... 9

5.2 User deﬁned spectral response curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

6 Support 10

List of Figures

1 SolarSIM-GPV components and main dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Assembled SolarSIM-GPV on the mounting plate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3 Dimensional drawing of a mounting plate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4 Main dimensions of the iSG. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

List of Tables

1 SolarSIM-GPV data outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

iii

Introduction

Dear customer, thank you for purchasing the Solar Spectral Irradiance Meter (SolarSIM-GPV)

from Spectrafy. Please become familiar with this instruction manual for a full understanding

of the use of your SolarSIM-GPV.

The SolarSIM-GPV is designed to be a cost-eﬀective tool for accurately determining spec-

trally corrected global horizontal/tilted irradiance (GHI/GTI) for use in solar resource mea-

surement campaigns and PV plant performance monitoring. The instrument uses silicon

photodiodes, integrated with hard-coated bandpass ﬁlters to measure the solar spectral ir-

radiance in nine narrow wavelength bands. The SolarSIM-GPV’s proprietary software uses

these measurements to resolve the global horizontal/tilted solar spectral irradiance and sub-

sequently, the global horizontal/tilted irradiance and PV spectral correction factors for up

to nine diﬀerence PV panels. This SolarSIM-GPV’s data can be used within any standard

PV modelling software to quantify and account for the eﬀects of solar spectral variation on

PV performance.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a Spectrafy representative or e-mail

us at [email protected]

1 Main components

A side view of the SolarSIM-GPV’s primary components is shown in Figure 1, which include:

•a glass dome,

•an enclosure,

•bandpass ﬁlters,

•bubble level,

•a connector, and

•a backplate.

Figure 1: SolarSIM-GPV components and main dimensions.

1.1 Glass dome

The glass dome prevents the ingress of moisture and debris.

1.2 Enclosure

The anodized aluminum enclosure secures SolarSIM-GPV components in place, while pro-

viding robust protection from the environment.

1.3 Bandpass ﬁlters

Nine bandpass ﬁlters transmit a narrow band of spectral irradiance to the detectors.

1.4 Bubble level

The bubble level ensures the SolarSIM-GPV is leveled when measuring the irradiance in

global horizontal orientation.

1.5 Connector

The connector provides power and communication to the SolarSIM-GPV electronics.

1.6 Backplate

The anodized aluminum backplate seals the back of the enclosure with four screws.

2 Installation

2.1 Contents of delivery

A typical SolarSIM-GPV delivery contains:

•1×SolarSIM-GPV,

•1×communication cable,

•1×SolarSIM-G COMBOX (optional),

•1×MP-G mounting plate (optional),

•3×mounting screws and springs, and

•a USB key loaded with the SolarSIM-GPV user manual and calibration certiﬁcate.

Please check the contents of your package and note if any damages have occurred during

shipment. A claim should be ﬁled with the shipment carrier should this be the case. Addi-

tionally, please contact a Spectrafy representative to facilitate the repair or replacement of

the instrument and/or its accessories.

2.2 Mechanical installation

Installation of the SolarSIM-GPV consists of fastening it to a mounting plate using three M4

screws and springs, as demonstrated in Figure 2. The mounting plate can then be mounted

to a pole or table as required. The mounting plate is 7.3 mm thick and has three slots

with a 132 mm diameter that are 4.5 mm wide for external fastening, as shown in Figure 3.

The screws/bolts for external mounting are not provided. The procedure for mechanical

installation (in horizontal orientation) is described as follows:

1. Place the SolarSIM-GPV on the mounting plate as per Figure 3.

2. Place the springs under the SolarSIM-GPV so that they roughly align with the

mounting holes on the SolarSIM-GPV.

3. Insert the M4 mounting screws through the SolarSIM-GPV mounting holes and

springs. Then thread the screws into the mounting plate for several revolutions.

4. Adjust the mounting screws until the bubble level is centered within the circle.

5. The SolarSIM-GPV mounting plate can then be mounted to a table or tube/pipe

with screws or u-bolts as required.

6. Once mounted, adjust the SolarSIM-GPV’s mounting screws/springs until the

bubble level is centered within the circle.

Note that the SolarSIM-GPV can also be deployed in ﬁxed-tilt and plane-of-array applica-

tions, in which cases the springs and levelling process are not necessary.

3 Maintenance

The SolarSIM-GPV requires very little maintenance. The primary concern is to ensure that

the glass dome of the SolarSIM-GPV is clean at all times, as the accumulation of dirt can

lead to underreported and inaccurate data. Spectrafy’s GV-1 ventilator can aid in this.

Furthermore, the levelling of the SolarSIM-GPV should be checked periodically.

3.1 Cleaning

As a general rule, we recommend cleaning the SolarSIM-GPV’s front glass with a dry, non-

abrasive cloth once per week, in order to maintain optimal performance. This frequency can

be altered depending on your local climatic conditions.

3.2 Alignment

With each cleaning, it is also advised to check the levelling of the instrument using the bubble

level. If the bubble is not centered within the circle, adjust the mounting screws as needed

to re-level the SolarSIM-GPV.

3.3 Desiccant

The desiccant is used to maintain an appropriate humidity level within the SolarSIM-GPV.

The internal humidity of the device is reported as one of the sensor’s data outputs and can

therefore be monitored over time. The lifetime of the desiccant is expected to exceed two

years, although it may vary based on local climatic conditions. The desiccant can be replaced

as part of the SolarSIM-GPV’s re-calibration procedure.

3.4 Recalibration

We recommend that the SolarSIM-GPV is returned to Spectrafy for recalibration every 1-2 years

in order to maintain the SolarSIM-GPV’s speciﬁed measurement accuracy.

Figure 2: Assembled SolarSIM-GPV on the mounting plate.

Figure 3: Dimensional drawing of the mounting plate. Note the three mounting holes are

M4 thread.

Table of contents

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