Weather station from Rainwise offers continuous and accurate environmental data on installed panels

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Rainwise has recently released the PVmet Solar Energy Efficiency Monitor, a weather station specifically designed to improve accurate monitoring of PV plant performance parameters. The monitoring system is said to be the first weather station to be recognized by SunSpec Alliance for compatibility with industry plant management systems and has already sold 500 units to two of the top inverter manufacturers worldwide.

Problem

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Understanding photovoltaic module and array performance characteristics is important for predicting and maximizing actual electrical production and panel maintenance. The current standard method for testing the performance of PV modules and arrays monitor performance in a single standard reporting condition set at an artificial uniform ambient temperature of 25ºC. This standard reporting condition is unrepresentative of actual operating conditions where 50ºC is more common and does not accurately address variable weather factors involved in outdoor performance.

Solution

RainWise has developed the PVmet Solar Energy Efficiency Monitor weather station to acquire continuous and accurate environmental data on installed panels. Representative of the series, the mid-range model PVmet 200 includes a global solar irradiance sensor, a plane-of-array irradiance sensor, two back-of-module temperature sensors, an ambient air temperature sensor and a wind speed/direction sensor. All models in the PVmet series come with sensor options to provide optimum environmental data necessary for maximizing actual on-site performance modeling, bringing together monitoring attributes not available anywhere else in a single, ready to use weather station.

Applications

Residential, commercial and utility-scale PV power plants.

Platform

Housed in a compact and easy to install unit, the PVmet sensors provides accurate and continuous panel environmental data necessary for predicting optimum performance modeling and maintenance scheduling. Unique to the PVmet are the back-of-module temperature sensor and two key irradiance sensors that provide information fundamental to performing key panel efficiency calculations. It is also in three different models with options. Modbus RS-485 Communication and Sunspec Ver. 1.1 Compliant.

Availability

Currently available.

Read Next

September 15, 2025
Advances in edge-based artificial intelligence are helping make solar and storage interoperable by tackling the data challenge, writes Andrew Foster.
September 15, 2025
Italy’s latest renewable energy tender has received 12GW of bids, of which the majority, 10GW, came from solar PV.
September 15, 2025
Sunrun has priced a securitisation of leases and power purchase agreements, taking its non-recourse debt capital raised in Q3 above US$1.5 billion. 
September 15, 2025
Norwegian energy firm Statkraft has agreed to divest a portion of its renewable energy portfolio to Serentica Renewables.
September 15, 2025
UNSW spin-out company Lab360 Solar has been awarded funding from ARENA to bring its drone-based PV inspection technology to market.
Premium
September 15, 2025
The UK government and solar industry have jointly published a long-anticipated roadmap detailing how to maximise the country’s solar potential. Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK takes a closer look at the details.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines