Sensors and methods for monitoring soiling on monofacial and bifacial photovoltaic panels

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring soiling of one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules. A sensor is provided that includes a measure chamber and a clean chamber. Cells in the measure chamber allow a measurement to be taken that accounts for soiling. Reference cells in the clean chamber can be exposed to incident light outside of the clean chamber. Measurements taken when the reference cells are outside of the clean chamber allow a clean output to be determined that is not subject to soiling. Comparing the output of the reference cell and the cells in the measure chamber allows a soiling loss to be determined.