Seven Sensor Thermopile Albedometer 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A
Seven Sensor 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A Thermopile Albedometer is a sensor designed to measure both incoming solar irradiance and irradiance reflected from the ground with high accuracy. Thanks to two Class A thermopile pyranometers, one facing upwards and the other downwards, it accurately measures the albedo value in photovoltaic performance monitoring, meteorological applications and solar resource evaluation studies.
The sensor supports RS485 Modbus RTU communication protocol. In this way, it can easily be integrated into SCADA systems, dataloggers, and monitoring systems. It is made to withstand harsh outdoor environments due to its IP68 rating, anodized aluminum construction, and compatibility with ISO 9060:2018 and IEC 61724-1:2021 Class A monitoring specifications.
What Does the 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A Thermopile Albedometer Measure?
The 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A measures both the incoming solar irradiance from the sky and the irradiance reflected from the surface under the sensor.
Parameters it can measure:
- Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI)
- Plane of Array Irradiance (POA)
- Irradiance reflected from the ground, roof, snow, soil, vegetation or PV installation surface
- Internal temperature
- Housing temperature
- Internal humidity
This combination allows users to calculate albedo, which is the ratio of reflected solar irradiance to incident solar irradiance. In solar power plants, this data is very valuable for understanding ground reflection, bifacial module gain, surface conditions and possible energy losses.
Product Details
Deskripsi
Technical Specifications of Thermopile Albedometer
| Item Code | 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A |
| Measured Parameters | GHI or POA irradiance, reflected irradiance, internal and housing temperature, internal humidity |
| Sensor Type | Thermopile |
| Spectral Range | 280 to 3000 nm |
| Irradiance Range | 0 to 4000 W/m² |
| Nominal Sensitivity | 8 to 14 µV/(W/m²) |
| Response Time | 0,5 s |
| Zero Offset A – Thermal Radiation | ±1 W/m² |
| Zero Offset B – Temperature Change | ±1,5 W/m² |
| Total Zero Offset C | ±3 W/m² |
| Non-Stability | <0,5% change/year |
| Non-Linearity | ±0,2% from 100 to 1000 W/m² |
| Directional Response | ±10 W/m² at 1000 W/m², 0 to 80° |
| Spectral Error | ±0,2% |
| Temperature Response | ±0,4% from -20°C to 50°C |
| Irradiance Resolution | 0,1 W/m² |
| Internal Humidity Range | 0% to 100% |
| Internal Humidity Accuracy | ±1% RH from 20% to 70% at 25°C |
| Internal Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C |
| Internal Temperature Accuracy | ±0,1°C from 5°C to 60°C |
| Housing Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C |
| Housing Temperature Accuracy | ±0,2°C |
| Spirit Level Accuracy | ±0,1° |
| Viewing Angle | 2π sr |
| Data Output | RS485 up to 38400 baud |
| Communication Protocol | Modbus RTU, optional Modbus TCP/IP |
| Output Rate | 1/s |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to 85°C |
| Power Supply | 12 to 30 V DC |
| Power Consumption | 20 mA at 24 V DC |
| Cable Features | 3x2x0,14 mm², 26 AWG LI2Y(st)CTP PUR cable, UV and weather resistant |
| Standard Cable Length | 3 m, custom length available |
| Galvanic Isolation | 1000 V between power supply and RS485 bus |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Dimensions | Ø140 mm x 209 mm |
| Sensor Housing Material | Anodized aluminum |
| Mounting Bracket Material | Alloy aluminum |
| Shade Disk Material | ABS |
| Weight | 2,6 kg |
| Standards | ISO 9060:2018, IEC 61724-1:2021 Class A, ISO/TR 9901:1990, ISO 9847 |
| Origin | Türkiye |
How Does a Thermopile Albedometer Work?
The thermopile albedometer consists of two pyranometers mounted in opposite directions.
The upper pyranometer reads irradiation from the atmosphere, and the lower pyranometer reads irradiation from the surface. The monitoring system then compares these two readings to determine the albedo value.
It is done using the formula:
Albedo = Reflected Irradiance / Global Irradiance
For instance, if the upper pyranometer reads 1000 W/m² and the lower pyranometer reads 250 W/m², then the albedo value will be 0,25. It is a useful piece of data in solar projects. The surface reflectivity has direct impacts on the performance of photovoltaic modules.
Why Choose 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A for Solar Monitoring?
Seven Sensor 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A has been developed for solar monitoring applications that require both standard solar irradiance data and reflected irradiance data. Key advantages:
- Class A measurement performance: Uses two SEVEN 3S-TP-MB-A pyranometers designed to meet ISO 9060:2018 Fast Response, Spectrally Flat, Class A requirements.
- Bi-facial irradiation measurement: Measures incident and reflected irradiation simultaneously.
- Fast response time: Offers a response time of 0,5 seconds in dynamic solar conditions.
- Low zero offset behavior: Provides stable and accurate irradiation data over the long term.
- Digital integration: Features RS485 Modbus RTU output for connection to data loggers and SCADA systems.
- Outdoor-suitable design: IP68 protection class
- UV and weather-resistant cable, anodized aluminum housing.
- Professional support: SEVEN remote installation service includes customer support, free software updates, and a 5-year warranty.
Where is 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A Used?
Seven Sensor 3S-TP-ALBEDO-A is used in applications where both incident and reflected solar irradiance need to be accurately measured.
Common application areas:
- Industrial-scale solar power plants
- Bi-facial PV system monitoring
- Solar resource evaluation stations
- Meteorological measurement stations
- Ground reflectance studies
- Agricultural solar monitoring
- Snow, desert, roof, and soil reflectance measurements
- Performance ratio and energy loss analysis in solar power plants
Albedo monitoring is particularly important in double-sided PV projects. Reflected radiation provides additional production from the back of the module. Accurate albedo data allows operators to understand how ground material, snow cover, vegetation, and seasonal variations affect PV performance
