Title:	Field Evaluation of Mars™ Optical Soiling Sensor
Author(s):	M. Gostein, B. Bourne, F. Farina, W. Stueve
Keywords:	Monitoring, Soiling, System Performance
Topic:	PV Systems and Storage – Modelling, Design, Operation and Performance
Subtopic:	Solar Resource and Forecasting
Event:	36th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	5CV.3.10
Pages:	1471 - 1473
ISBN:	3-936338-60-4
Paper DOI:	10.4229/EUPVSEC20192019-5CV.3.10
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper

Abstract/Summary:

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We report on a field evaluation of the new Mars™ optical soiling sensor technology. The Mars™ soiling sensor was specifically developed to provide a compact, low-cost, water-free and maintenance-free method to measure soiling at PV power plants, especially for small utility or commercial-scale sites where more complex solutions can be prohibitive. In this study, a Mars™ soiling sensor was deployed at a test site in California. The site also included a reference soiling measurement system employing a washed/unwashed PV reference cell pair. Results to date demonstrate good overall correlation between the Mars™ sensor and the reference measurement.