Rainwise – PVMet™ 330 Solar Monitoring Station

The PVMet™ 330 Solar Monitoring Station, engineered by RainWise in the USA, is a comprehensive, professional-grade solution designed to deliver precise, bankable data for optimizing photovoltaic (PV) system performance. This fully assembled, all-in-one station offers a complete suite of high-accuracy sensors to monitor critical environmental parameters, empowering operators of utility-scale, commercial, or industrial solar projects to maximize energy yield, ensure IEC 61724-1 compliance, and enhance system longevity with unmatched reliability and ease of use.

With its robust array of sensors—including dual irradiance, temperature, wind, humidity, pressure, and rainfall monitoring—the PVMet™ 330 provides a holistic view of your PV system’s operating environment. Arriving factory-calibrated and ready to deploy, it integrates seamlessly with SCADA systems via Modbus RTU or optional Ethernet Modbus TCP, all within a rugged, low-maintenance design built to withstand extreme conditions, making it the ultimate choice for solar professionals seeking to transform their installations into sustainable, high-performing assets.

Key Features

• Dual Irradiance Sensors: Adjustable Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) sensor and a dedicated Plane-of-Array (POA) sensor with mounting bracket for precise solar radiation tracking.
• Comprehensive Temperature Monitoring: Includes one Back-of-Panel (BOM) temperature sensor, with support for an optional second sensor for multi-panel setups.
• Wind Speed and Direction: Mini-aervane anemometer provides accurate wind data to assess environmental impacts on PV performance.
• Ambient Air Temperature Sensor: Housed in a passive solar radiation shield for precise, solar-insensitive readings.
• Relative Humidity and Barometric Pressure: Built-in sensors for complete environmental profiling, critical for efficiency calculations.
• Rain Gauge: Tipping bucket with an 8” collector meets NWS specifications for accurate rainfall measurement to monitor soiling risks.
• SunSpec Certified/Compliant: Ensures seamless integration with industry-standard protocols for inverters and SCADA systems.
• Robust Communication: Modbus RTU via RS-485/422, with optional Ethernet Modbus TCP for versatile connectivity.
• Rugged, Weather-Resistant Design: Constructed with durable materials like PVC, ABS, stainless steel, and anodized aluminum for extreme weather resilience.
• Plug-and-Play Installation: Ships fully assembled with detachable mast and screw-terminal connections for rapid deployment.

Technical Data

• Global Irradiance Sensor:
  Measurement Range: 0 to 1750 W/m²
  Accuracy: ±5%
  Cosine Response: ±1% at 45°, ±5% at 75°
  Resolution: 1 W/m²
  Operating Temperature: -25°C to 55°C (-13°F to 131°F)
• Plane-of-Array (POA) Irradiance Sensor:
  Measurement Range: 0 to 1750 W/m²
  Accuracy: ±5%
  Resolution: 1 W/m²
  Mounting: Fixed bracket for PV panel side attachment
• Back-of-Panel (BOM) Temperature Sensor:
  Range: -40°C to 80°C (-40°F to 176°F)
  Accuracy: ±0.3°C (±0.54°F)
  Resolution: 0.1°C
  Thermal Time Constant: 270 seconds
  Cable Length: 7.62m (25 ft)
• Ambient Air Temperature Sensor:
  Range: -40°C to 80°C (-40°F to 176°F)
  Accuracy: ±0.3°C (±0.54°F)
  Resolution: 0.1°C
  Thermal Time Constant: 30 seconds
  Housing: Passive solar radiation shield
• Wind Speed and Direction (Mini-Aervane Anemometer):
  Speed Range: 0 to 67 m/s (0 to 150 mph)
  Speed Accuracy: Greater of 0.45 m/s (1 mph) or 5%
  Speed Threshold: 0.45 m/s at 10% deflection
  Speed Resolution: 1 m/s
  Direction Range: 0 to 360°
  Direction Accuracy: ±5°
• Relative Humidity Sensor:
  Range: 0 to 100% RH
  Accuracy: ±3% RH
  Resolution: 0.1% RH
• Barometric Pressure Sensor:
  Range: 500 to 1100 hPa
  Accuracy: ±1 hPa
  Resolution: 0.1 hPa
• Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge:
  Collector Diameter: 20.32cm (8″)
  Resolution: 0.01 inch (0.254 mm)
  Accuracy: ±2% (meets NWS specifications)
• Communication:
  Protocol: Modbus RTU (RS-485/422, 2-wire half-duplex)
  Baud Rate: Up to 9600
  Poll Rate: 100 ms (max)
  Optional: Ethernet Modbus TCP
• Power Requirements: 10-30 VDC, <50mA
• Operating Conditions: -40°C to 60°C (-40°F to 140°F), 0-100% RH (condensing)
• Materials: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), stainless steel, anodized aluminum, Lexan®, Delrin
• Dimensions (Packaged): 58.42cm x 25.4cm x 20.32cm (23″ x 10″ x 8″)
• Weight: 2.26kg (5 lbs.)
• Compliance: RoHS, lead-free, IEC 61724-1
• Warranty: 2 years

The PVMet™ 330 is the pinnacle of solar monitoring, offering a complete environmental monitoring solution that captures every factor affecting PV performance, from irradiance and temperature to wind, humidity, pressure, and rainfall. Its advanced sensor suite enables precise tracking of soiling risks, thermal losses, and wind-induced stresses, ensuring proactive maintenance and optimized energy output. The station’s low-maintenance design and robust construction guarantee reliable performance in extreme climates, from arid deserts to humid coastal regions, while its low power consumption minimizes operational costs.

Backed by RainWise’s nearly five decades of expertise in meteorological equipment, the PVMet™ 330 is trusted by solar operators worldwide to deliver actionable insights that enhance efficiency and profitability.