The IEC 61724-1 standard for PV system performance monitoring has been revised in 2017. The comprehensive standard introduces accuracy classes A, B and C for monitoring systems. SR30 pyranometer by Hukseflux , featuring new RVH technology, is the first solar radiation sensor meeting Class A requirements.

The IEC 61724-1 standard for PV system performance monitoring has been revised. This is relevant for system owners, O&M managers, compliance officers, investors and suppliers. The first edition of IEC 61724-1: Photovoltaic system performance monitoring - Guidelines for measurement, data exchange and analysis -, dates from 2008. It now has been updated. The new 2017 version of the standard is fundamentally different from the 2008 version. The new scope not only defines the measuring system components and procedures (as in the 2008 version), but it also aims to keep measurement errors within specified limits. It does so by establishing accuracy classes for monitoring systems.

The new standard includes:

- 3 accuracy classes, A, B and C, for monitoring systems, to be used in conformity declarations
- accuracy requirements for monitoring equipment per class
- required quality checks (i.e. calibration and maintenance) per class
- recommended minimum number of instruments used as a function of the PV system scale

SR30 pyranometer, released by Hukseflux Thermal Sensors in January 2017, is the first pyranometer meeting Class A requirements of the new IEC 61724-1 standard. SR30 measures solar radiation employing a state-of-the-art thermopile sensor with black coated surface and two domes. The outer pyranometer dome is heated by ventilating the area between the inner and outer dome using RVH - Recirculating Ventilation and Heating - technology. RVH, developed by Hukseflux, suppresses dew and frost deposition and is as effective as traditional ventilation systems, without the maintenance hassle and large footprint. Domes free of dew and frost ensure high data availability. In addition to the highest measurement accuracy and data availability, SR30 pyranometer offers remote diagnostics and low total cost of ownership for PV system performance monitoring.

IEC 61724-1:2017 requires ventilation and heating for Class A monitoring. Only SR30 pyranometer offers both, without the need for additional accessories. Most competing pyranometers do not even comply with Class B, which requires heating.

Would you like more information? The new IEC standard can be purchased via the IEC webstore: https://webstore.iec.ch/

Hukseflux has prepared two supporting documents briefly explaining the new standard and commenting on the consequences for pyranometer selection: http://www.hukseflux.com/product_group/pyranometer#subgroup-211
More information on SR30 pyranometer can be found here: http://www.hukseflux.com/product/sr30-pyranometer