Consulting & Auditing of Sensors on PV Sites
From the early solar project phase to the daily operation of solar power plants, every sensor GHI pyranometers, tilted (GTI) pyranometers, temperature sensors, anemometers, drives the quality check of measurements feeding PV monitoring, performance analysis and solar forecasting. A non-optimized sensor configuration introduces silent biases that propagate through the entire process: performance ratio, financial reporting, forecasting algorithms and return on investment of solar panels.
CalibSun provides Sensor Expertise, an independent expert service covering pre-project and operational phases of a PV plant’s lifecycle. It creates concrete opportunities to secure energy production, improve efficiency and align measurement requirements with international standards.
- Sensor Expertise
Who Is Sensor Expertise For ?
PV Developers & Plant Operators
Monitoring teams master the engineering and electrical operation of a photovoltaic system, but not always the meteorological expertise required to validate measurement sensors.
Asset Managers & IPPs
Reliable on-site data underpins accurate performance reporting, financial reporting and return on investment over the plant lifecycle.
Key Client Benefits
Risk mitigation
Undetected sensor drift can cost a large plant several hundred thousand € per year in imbalance penalties. Sensor Expertise removes that risk at the source.
Worldwide & independent
A manufacturer-agnostic service, deployable on any solar project from client data alone.
Unlock better forecasts
Production forecasts rely on optimized sensor configuration and regular quality checks to feed the algorithm with bias-free input data.
Reliable irradiance data for PV performance
Why having proper on-site sensor configuration?
Pyranometer measurements are the entry point of any PV control system. A well-positioned pyranometer, in the correct plane, at the right sampling frequency, ensures that:
- performance reports reflect the actual behaviour of the photovoltaic system;
- production gaps can be attributed to the solar panels, not to the sensor;
- solar forecasting algorithms train on reliable, bias-free data;
- forecasting performance can be assessed in irradiance, before any conversion into power output.
Pyranometers are the priority in any assessment. Meteorological sensors (temperature, wind) drift less but remain essential for cross-validation under varying weather conditions. Sky imagers are not covered by this service.
By maintaining proper sensor configuration and regular cleaning, operators optimize data quality and support smart forecasting that aligns with IEEE standards and sustainable planning.
Why and when should sensors be audited?
An annual audit is recommended during operation. It detects:
- seasonal shading, near or distant;
- long-term calibration drift, identified through comparison with a clear-sky model;
- cross-validation inconsistencies between multiple pyranometers;
- degraded periods caused by soiling, frost or dew;
- data gaps often invisible on the client side.
Without auditing, a soiled pyranometer can introduce a 10% bias into a forecast. For a plant of several hundred MW exposed to imbalance penalties (typically triggered at 5–10% deviation), the financial impact can reach several hundred thousand euros per year – a critical risk that regular maintenance and sensor optimization directly mitigate. Dedicated monitoring systems and real-time data collection enable fault detection before production losses accumulate, protecting your energy yield and return on investment across utility-scale solar and commercial installations.
Why make the switch to Sensor Expertise ?
- With Sensor Expertise
- Bias-free input data, certified before use
- Forecasting models trained on reliable ground data
- Higher forecast accuracy, fewer deviations
- Financial risk mitigated at the source
- Without auditing
- A soiled pyranometer can introduce a 10% bias into a forecast
- Sensor errors propagate into every forecast
- Imbalance penalties triggered at 5–10% deviation
- Up to several hundred thousand € lost per year
Our Process in 3 Steps
Need more information ?
Get in touch !
- Questions
Frequently asked questions about PV Sensor Expertise
How often should PV plant sensors be audited?
CalibSun recommends an annual audit during the operational phase to detect calibration drift, seasonal shading and degraded periods caused by environmental conditions.
This regular maintenance schedule is essential for maintaining data integrity and accuracy across your solar installations. Annual audits identify dirt accumulation, soiling effects, and sensor degradation that can introduce silent biases into performance monitoring and forecasting algorithms. By conducting real-time assessments of thermopile pyranometers, GHI and GTI sensors, and data loggers, operators ensure that solar irradiance measurements remain compliant with IEC and IEEE standards, protecting both energy yield and financial returns.
Which sensors are covered by Sensor Expertise?
All monitoring sensors are covered: GHI and GTI pyranometers (priority), temperature sensors and anemometers. Sky imagers are not covered.
Our sensor assessment addresses the types of sensors critical to solar energy systems: pyranometers for solar radiation measurement, temperature sensors for environmental monitoring, and anemometers for wind speed measurement.
Each sensor type provides insightful information regarding performance monitoring and data quality control. We provide technical guidance on choosing PV sensors optimized for your specific application and installation type, ensuring accurate measurement across your photovoltaic system.
Is the service available internationally?
Yes. Sensor Expertise relies solely on data measured by the client and can be deployed worldwide, with no geographic constraints. Our global service provides technical support, data analysis, and detailed reports across all renewable energy markets. Whether your solar installations operate in varying climatic conditions or weather patterns, our sensor optimization protocols ensure reliable performance. For more information, please contact CalibSun directly through our contact form or email.
