Background: Photovoltaic systems are designed and tested based on standard conditions in which only direct incidence and isotropic diffuse illumination are considered. However recent tests done at the TEP solar testing beds have shown that anisotropic diffuse illumination can be used to more accurately predict PV system performance. Many sensors only measure direct illumination and ignore diffuse illumination or measure both at a limited range of distribution. Description: A multi-detector solar irradiance sensor design which can measure both direct and diffuse light in a variety of conditions. Additionally this device provides real time angular distribution measurements of the anisotropic diffuse illumination incident on solar electric panels. Applications: Solar panel companies products
1) Ability to provide live angular distribution of the diffuse illumination. 2) No tracking or motors of any kind are required on this device. 3) Can be used with any type of solar panel (both traditional flat plane panels as well as the new breed of bifacial holographic planar concentration (HPC) and cylindrical non-standard flat PV technologies).