The IN-SOL Solar PV Meter is a quality and affordable Solar Radiation meter, Solar Irradiance Meter, Solar Power Meter, Solar Meter, Pyranometer instrument to measure irradiance accurately when you want to :
It can directly connect to your multi-meter, raspberry pi or Arduino and provides a linear output value in milli-volts that corresponds directly to W/m2. Optimized to provide a W/m2 response similar to a solar PV panel, evaluate glazing SHGC (g-factor) and provide instant building overheating measurements in W/m2 before the room temperature increases.
"The image of the multimeter shown with the "solar radiation meter" is for display purposes only"
Spectral range: 300~1200nm
Measuring range: 0~1400W
Power Supply: Not Applicable (Self Powered)
Calibrated with the EKO ML-01 Silicon Pyranometer.
Response time <1ms
Spectral error +/- 5%
Sensor Type - Mono-Si
Solar Irradiance is measured in watts per meter square (W/m2) and the "IN-SOL Solar PV Power Meter" provides an output in millivolts that corresponds directly to W/m2. In this way, it can be directly connected to standard multimeters, raspberry pi or Arduino devices.
A device used to measure the power from the sun is also known as a Pyranometer, Solar Meter, Solar Irradiance sensor, Solarimeter and Sunlight Meter.
Finding an affordable means to measure input power to PV panels (photovoltaics) and checking their efficiency is of the utmost importance as Solar PV becomes the energy source of the future.
PV Panel Innovations Limited has developed a highly accurate and affordable pyranometer for handheld use in setting up a new PV system or many other uses as discussed earlier. A unit for permanent outdoor use is also available with a unique mount to attach the external solar power gauge.
What makes a meter that measures solar irradiance different to a light meter. Light energy that our eyes sees falls in the spectrum of approximately 400nm to 700nm while solar irradiance energy covers the full spectrum of approximately 200nm to 3000nm . Most of the energy that one senses in the form of heat is between 700nm and 1200nm. The solar PV power meter developed by PV Panel Innovations Limited works in both the visible and heat spectrums and it is similar to the spectrum that PV panels use in order to generate electricity. The majority of the solar irradiance falls in this spectrum of between 400nm and 1200nm as seen in the images below as the energy is not linear across the full spectrum.