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Solmetric
Founded2005 (2005)
FoundersWillard MacDonald, Robert MacDonald, Mark Galli
HeadquartersSebastopol, CA
ProductsSunEye shade measurement tool, PV Analyzer I-V Curve tracer
ParentVivint Solar
Websitewww.solmetric.com

Solmetric Corporation, based in Sebastopol, CA, is a manufacturer of solar test and measurement equipment and developer of solar design software[further explanation needed]. Solmetric was founded in 2005 and is best known for its shade measurement tool, the SunEye, and its I-V curve tracer, the PV Analyzer. The award winning SunEye shade tool is used primarily by residential solar installers. It tells the user when and where shadows will fall so that solar modules can be placed to maximize energy harvest. The PV Analyzer is an I-V curve tracer. It is used for commissioning and troubleshooting commercial and utility scale PV systems.

History

Solmetric was founded by Willard MacDonald, Robert MacDonald, and Mark Galli in 2005.[1][2][3] The company was formed around the idea for a device that could electronically predict and analyze the shade at a potential solar installation site.[4]

The SunEye-100 was first introduced at SolFest in Hopland, CA in August 2006.[5] The Solar Pathfinder is a device that was commonly used to measure shade before the SunEye became a popular alternative.[6] Shade measurements became a particularly important part of residential solar site surveys when the California Solar Initiative program began requiring shade measurements in 2006 and when solar companies began providing third party financing of solar systems.[7] The SunEye received the 2007 Top 10 Green Building Products of the Year award from US based Building Green,[8] the 2nd place Innovation Award at the 2008 European PV Solar Energy Tradeshow in Staffelstein Germany,[9] and the 2009 Trophy of Innovation from Salon des Energies Renouvelables at Eurexpo in Lyon, France.[10] By 2010 the SunEye was the primary tool used by residential solar companies for surveying shade.[11]

The PV Designer layout and simulation software product was first introduced in October 2009 at Solar Power International.[12] The software enables the user to layout PV modules on a roof virtually and simulate the energy production, taking into account shade readings from the SunEye.

The PV Analyzer I-V curve tracer (“PVA-600”) was introduced in December 2010 and could measure strings up to 600 Volts and 20 Amps. The PVA-1000 was introduced in September 2013 and added 1000 Volt, 30 Amp capability as well as the SolSensor wireless PV reference which measures the irradiance and module temperature.

Solmetric became a certified B Corporation in 2009. In 2013 Solmetric received the Best for The World Environmental Impact Award in recognition of its sustainable business practices.[13]

In January 2014 Solmetric was acquired by residential installer and solar financier, Vivint Solar for $12 million.[14][15]

Products

The SunEye-210 is a shade measurement tool. The patented device[16] includes a fisheye camera, digital compass[disambiguation needed], digital inclinometer, and GPS. It captures an image of the sky including the horizon, superimposes the sunpaths on top of the image, and calculates the solar access for that location. Shade is one of the biggest spoilers of energy generation in a PV system and measuring it is the best way to avoid mounting modules in the shade.[17][18]

The PV Analyzer PVA-1000[19] is an I-V curve tracer. It generates a variable load applied to a PV module or string of PV modules. It sweeps the load from open circuit to short circuit in approximately 250ms, capturing the current and voltage at 500 points. The PVA simultaneously measures the irradiance and module temperature with the SolSensor Wireless PV Reference Sensor. The wireless sensor has a range of 300 feet. The PVA-1000 measures strings up to 1000 Volts and 30 Amps. It is used primarily for commissioning and troubleshooting PV systems because of its ability to identify problems in the health of a PV string that cannot otherwise be seen with a voltmeter or current clamp meter.[20][21]

PV Designer is software for laying out PV modules and simulating kWh energy production. It takes into account historical weather, module and inverter specifications, shading from the SunEye and orientation of the array.

References

  1. ^ Hart, Steve (2006-08-18). "Harnessing the Sun". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Santa Rosa, CA.
  2. ^ Stevens, Loralee (2008-04-07). "Solar Measurement Startup Solmetric Gets Traction". North Bay Business Journal. Santa Rosa and Bolinas, CA.
  3. ^ Nobel, Justin (2007-08-30). "Swoopy Box Made in Bolinas Surveys Shade for Solar Panels". Point Reyes Light. Bolinas, CA.
  4. ^ "Green Behind the Scene Marin's Innovators in Energy, Health and Business; Marin Magazine". www.marinmagazine.com. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  5. ^ Hart, Steve (2006-08-18). "Harnessing the Sun". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Santa Rosa, CA.
  6. ^ "Measuring Solar Access with the Solmetric SunEye; BuildingGreen". www.buildinggreen.com. 2007-05-01. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  7. ^ "Residential Solar Site Measurements: New Developments; SolarPro Magazine". Solarprofessional.com. 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  8. ^ "BuildingGreen Announces 2007 Top-10 Products | BuildingGreen". www.buildinggreen.com. 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  9. ^ "Soleg GmbH vertreibt Verschattungsanalysegerät "SunEye"; Solar Server". www.solarserver.de. 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  10. ^ "Salon des énergies renouvelables Trois innovations récompensées | Le Moniteur". www.lemoniteur.fr. 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  11. ^ "How Many 9s of Accuracy: The Future of Solar Performance Benchmarking". renewableenergyworld.com. 2015-03-30. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  12. ^ Brearley, David (2009-10-01). "Almost Time for Anaheim Products, Trends and Technology to Look for at the 2009 Solar Power International Conference". SolarPro Magazine. Anaheim, CA: Home Power Inc. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  13. ^ "2013 Best for the World Honorees". www.bcorporation.net/. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  14. ^ "Vivint Solar acquires Solmetric". prnewswire.com. 2014-01-23. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  15. ^ "Why did installer financier Vivint Solar buy Solmetric?". greentechmedia.com. 2014-01-27. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  16. ^ MacDonald, Willard (2005), Patent: Solar Access Measurement Device
  17. ^ "Commissioning for PV Performance; SunSpec Alliance Best Practice Guide" (PDF). SunSpec.org.
  18. ^ "Best Practices in PV System Installation" (PDF). SunSpec.org. 2015-03-01. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  19. ^ "PV analyzer product page". solmetric.com. 2016-08-24. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  20. ^ "Field Applications for I-V Curve Tracers". SolarPro Magazine. 2011-08-01. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  21. ^ "Interpreting I-V Curve Deviations". SolarPro Magazine. 2014-08-01. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
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