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Data Acquisition PV Soiling

Data Acquisition PV Soiling

Note: This page is only relevant, if you booked the PV Soiling Product. The steps below will be clarified before flight day in a pilot briefing call with Volateq staff.

To accurately detect soiling levels on PV modules during drone inspections, please adhere to the following preparation steps:

Overview

For the soiling analysis, we distinguish between:

  1. Clean modules (No. 1 in the picture), which serve as our clean reference.

  2. Electrical reference modules (No. 2 in the picture), which serve as our performance baseline.

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Before Flight Day

Select at least one PV module for every module type present in the solar field to serve as the "Clean Reference" together with Volateq
Please communicate the location to the Volateq staff using latitude and longitude coordinates.

On Flight Day - Before Drone Flight

Thoroughly clean the selected Reference Module.
Additionally, clean 2 to 4 adjacent modules next to the Reference Module to ensure accurate comparative analysis (No. 1 in the image)

On Flight Day - After Drone Flight

Electrical Reference

Note: A clean reference module is sufficient for accurately reporting the distribution of soiling over entire solar fields. For an optimal accuracy of overall absolute soiling estimate, an in-field soiling loss measurement can be used to adapt Volateq’s soiling calibration to your specific dust type. If no soiling loss reference is provided, our proven standard calibration is applied. We are happy to support you to find the best methode for your usecase.

Attention: The electrical reference module must be cleaned after the drone has inspected the modules.

 

Example: In the images above, our client identified that these 28 modules (No 2.) are connected to a single MPP. Using the SCADA software, he was able to provide us with time-series data for current, voltage, irradiance (both horizontal and in-field array), angular tilt of the tracker, and the plant’s Active Power Setpoint. Based on this data, we calculated the soiling loss for these modules in order to calibrate our model for the entire plant.

 

After Flight Day

Get timeseries data a few days before and after the flightday of
Irradiance (Horizontal and POA)
tracking angle (if tracked)
current, volatage (if electrical measurement data is avaiable)
Active Power Setpoint (if possible)
Communicate to Volateq staff in what form the data can be send

 

 

Any other questions?

Please contact: fabian.beuter@volateq.de