Created by M.L., OST, on 19.03.2025
- Description: Real-time monitoring and logging of weather data, such as irradiance (global, direct, in-plane), ambient temperature, module temperature, wind speed, precipitation, relative humidity, air pressure, soiling, snow depth and cloud cover. Adding a webcam for remote visual inspection of the local conditions and the PV plant provides further valuable information. In addition, vibration and deformation of the panels could be measured.
- Equipment: Pyranometers and/or reference cells, thermometers, anemometer, precipitation gauge, hygrometer, barometer, webcams, soiling sensor, snow-depth sensor, vibration sensor, strain gauge.
- Requirements: On-site data connection.
- Gained insights: Meteorological data and visual inspection of the PV plant can be correlated with the power production, allowing to improve output predictions and provide explanations for system losses. Correlating the weather conditions to vibrations and deformation of the modules is of scientific interest, especially regarding the impact of wind and snow loads, which are two relevant stressors in the alpine environment. Moreover, in case of failures or damages, the recorded weather data might be relevant for insurance-related questions. In addition to a general overview, a webcam also allows to assess the shading situation of the PV-plant.
- Recommended frequency: Continuous weather monitoring and webcam installation is highly recommended.
The number of installed sensors varies significantly between the existing installations, depending on their focus. Webcams, irradiation (pyranometers and/or reference cells) and module temperature are measured in almost all installations. The video recording by the webcam allows the assessment of many parameters such as snow load, ice formation, shading, cloud coverage, as well as a general overview of installation. The measurement of irradiation and module temperature allows for a precise computation of the theoretical yield of the power plant. Sites with a scientific focus measure additional parameters such as weather data, albedo, vibration and snow pressure [1–5], while other sites focus on building feasibility and mechanical stability of the mounting structure and modules, and hence went with minimal sensorics, or rely on existing nearby weather stations [6–8]. - Advantages: Remote access to data, low effort/cost, real time information and possibility to set up alarms (automated monitoring).
- Disadvantages: –
- Effort:
- Global: low.
- Costs: relatively low; mainly costs of hardware acquisition.
- Time: low, thanks to remote access and automation potential.
- Providers: The hardware can be acquired from various providers. Alternatively, dedicated and/or custom made solutions can be purchased from specialists, such as Gantner instruments, OTT HydroMet or Campbell Scientific, for example.
- Links:
- Solution by Gantner instruments: https://www.gantner-instruments.com/de/blog/innovation-in-alpine-solar-winterliche-energieherausforderungen-meistern/
- Solution by Ott HydroMet: https://www.otthydromet.com/en/products/effective-weather-station-for-solar-pv
- Solution by Campbell Scientific: https://www.campbellsci.com/alpine-weather
- All-in-on weather station: https://metergroup.com/products/atmos-41-wireless-remote-weather-station/
- Snow coverage measurements & predictions: https://www.slf.ch/en/about-the-slf/services-and-products/
- Alpine measurement network: https://www.crealp.ch/en/services/environmental-monitoring-2/
- Alpine precipitation Grid Dataset: https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/climate/the-climate-of-switzerland/spatial-climate-analyses/alpine-precipitation.html
- Additional notes: The main challenge within an alpine environment is the need to protect the hardware from the severe weather, and to set up a stable data connection in mostly remote areas. Achieving an uptime of more than 98% and avoiding data loss through redundancy are key selling points of specialized providers such as Gantner Instruments [9].
References
- Strebel S. Interview about alpine PV: Test installations of ZHAW (in Davos) 2025.
- Cattin J, Bloch L. Interview about alpine PV: Planair, Lac des Toules 2025.
- Hügli A. Alpine untility scale PV: Challenges of Constructability and Operations 2025.
- Szacsvay T. Untersuchung zum Alterungsverhalten von PVModulen einer hochalpinen PV-Anlage. Bern: REECH; 2024.
- Knödel B, Müller-Duss S. Interview about alpine PV: BKW, Tschingel 2024.
- Heierli C. Interview about alpine PV: AXPO, Alpin Solar (Muttsee-Staumauer) 2025.
- Schläppi M. Interview about alpine PV: KWO 2025.
- Schmidhalter F. Interview about alpine PV: Enalpin 2025.
- Sutterlüti J. Interview about alpine PV: Gantner Instruments 2025.
