OEM LoRaWAN Pyranometer Manufacturer for Solar PV Monitoring

2026-10-03 13:44:53 · Views 2

Solar radiation is the primary energy input for a photovoltaic plant and an important environmental parameter for agriculture, meteorology, building research and solar-resource assessment.

A PV system can produce less energy because of cloud cover, module temperature, shading, dust, electrical faults, inverter limitations or equipment downtime. Electrical output alone cannot explain which condition caused the reduction.

A pyranometer measures solar irradiance on a defined plane. When connected to a LoRaWAN endpoint, it can transmit current readings, interval statistics, device-health information and maintenance alarms through a long-range wireless network.

This approach can support distributed solar sites and environmental stations where installing communication cables is difficult. However, reliable measurement depends on much more than connecting a light sensor to a LoRaWAN radio.

The sensing technology, spectral response, cosine response, mounting plane, leveling, temperature behavior, calibration, cleaning, sampling method and data-quality rules must be designed as one complete system.

What Is a LoRaWAN Pyranometer?

A LoRaWAN pyranometer is a solar-radiation measuring instrument combined with a low-power LoRaWAN communication endpoint.

A typical architecture is:

Pyranometer → Measurement Electronics → LoRaWAN Endpoint → Gateway → Network Server → PV or Environmental Platform

Depending on the design, the device may report:

Solar irradiance in W/m²
Interval-average irradiance
Minimum and maximum irradiance
Accumulated solar irradiation
Global horizontal irradiance
Plane-of-array irradiance
Rear plane-of-array irradiance
Sensor-body temperature
Tilt or leveling status
Heater status
Cleaning status
Sensor communication fault
Analog-input fault
Calibration status
Battery or input voltage
Sequence number
Historical-record flag
Firmware and protocol versions

The LoRaWAN node may integrate the radiation detector directly or connect to an external pyranometer through:

Low-level millivolt input
Analog voltage
4–20mA
RS485 Modbus
SDI-12
Manufacturer-specific digital protocol

The correct architecture depends on measurement quality, cable length, power availability and compatibility with the selected instrument.

Irradiance and Irradiation Are Different

These terms should not be used interchangeably.

Solar Irradiance

Irradiance describes the instantaneous solar power received per unit area.

It is commonly expressed in:

W/m²

The value can change rapidly when clouds move across the sun.

Solar Irradiation

Irradiation describes solar energy accumulated over a period.

It may be expressed in:

Wh/m²
kWh/m²
MJ/m²

The platform can calculate irradiation by integrating valid irradiance measurements over time.

A single current reading cannot represent the energy received throughout an entire day.

Why Timestamp Quality Matters

Accumulated irradiation calculations depend on:

Correct timestamps
Known sample intervals
Missing-data handling
Sensor-quality flags
Time synchronization
Valid integration rules

If several hours of measurements are missing, the platform should mark the daily total as incomplete instead of silently calculating a normal-looking result.

GHI, POA, RPOA and DNI

A buyer must define which solar-radiation component is required before selecting the sensor and mounting method.

Global Horizontal Irradiance

Global horizontal irradiance, or GHI, is measured on a horizontal plane.

It includes solar radiation reaching the horizontal surface from:

The direct solar beam
Diffuse sky radiation

GHI can be used for:

Meteorological stations
Solar-resource monitoring
Regional comparisons
Agricultural research
Building-energy studies
Some PV performance calculations

The sensor must be leveled correctly to represent a horizontal plane.

Plane-of-Array Irradiance

Plane-of-array irradiance, or POA, is measured in the same plane as the PV modules.

For a fixed-tilt array, the pyranometer mounting plate should reproduce the array’s:

Tilt
Azimuth
Orientation
Horizon exposure

POA is particularly useful when comparing available solar energy with the power produced by the associated PV array.

Rear Plane-of-Array Irradiance

Bifacial PV modules can receive radiation on their rear surface.

Rear plane-of-array irradiance, or RPOA, may be affected by:

Ground reflectance
Row spacing
Module height
Torque-tube shading
Vegetation
Snow
Surface color
Nearby structures
Time of day

A front-facing sensor cannot automatically represent rear irradiance.

Direct Normal Irradiance

Direct normal irradiance, or DNI, represents direct solar radiation on a surface maintained perpendicular to the sun’s rays.

A standard fixed pyranometer does not automatically provide a direct DNI measurement. Depending on the measurement objective, direct radiation may require a suitable pyrheliometer and solar-tracking system or a validated calculation using other measurements.

Typical Applications

Utility-Scale PV Plants

A solar farm may use irradiance data to:

Compare expected and actual energy production
Evaluate performance ratio
Identify abnormal underperformance
Analyze cloud-related changes
Compare different array sections
Investigate soiling
Monitor tracker operation
Support warranty analysis
Verify maintenance results
Improve operational reporting

The monitoring design should consider the physical size of the site, terrain, array orientation and local cloud variability.

One sensor may not represent a large plant containing different slopes, tracker zones or weather conditions.

Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Solar

Wireless irradiance monitoring may be useful where:

Cable routing is difficult.
Several buildings share one monitoring platform.
The PV system is separated from the control room.
Roof penetration should be minimized.
Existing electrical monitoring lacks environmental data.
A retrofit is required.

Gateway placement must account for concrete roofs, metal structures, mechanical rooms and electrical cabinets.

Solar Tracker Systems

A tracking PV system changes orientation during the day.

The project must define whether the irradiance sensor:

Moves with one tracker row
Uses a separate tracker
Measures horizontal irradiance
Measures a representative array plane
Reports sensor orientation
Detects tracker misalignment

A fixed sensor cannot automatically represent the instantaneous plane of a moving array.

Bifacial Solar Plants

A bifacial monitoring system may combine:

Front POA
Rear POA
GHI
Module temperature
Ambient temperature
Wind
Soiling
Electrical power

The rear sensor position should be selected carefully because nearby module structures can produce nonuniform shading and reflections.

Agricultural Weather Monitoring

Solar radiation influences:

Evapotranspiration
Plant development
Greenhouse energy balance
Irrigation demand
Crop models
Leaf and soil temperature
Photosynthesis-related processes

A pyranometer measures broadband solar irradiance. It is not automatically equivalent to a photosynthetically active radiation sensor.

Projects focused specifically on plant photosynthesis may require a PAR or quantum sensor.

Greenhouses

Inside a greenhouse, the measured radiation is affected by:

Cover material
Dirt
Condensation
Shade screens
Structural members
Crop canopy
Sensor position
Time of day

An outdoor pyranometer and an indoor sensor can be used together to estimate transmission through the greenhouse covering.

Solar Resource Assessment

Long-term resource assessment can support:

Preliminary site evaluation
Comparison of candidate locations
Solar-energy research
Model validation
Satellite-data adjustment
Seasonal analysis

The required instrument class, calibration procedure, maintenance and data availability should be defined according to the study objective.

Building and Environmental Research

Possible applications include:

Building-energy studies
Urban heat research
Roof-material evaluation
Albedo measurement
Shading analysis
Microclimate monitoring
Outdoor thermal-comfort research
Solar collector studies

Albedo measurement normally requires upward- and downward-facing radiation measurements with appropriate instruments and mounting.

Thermopile Pyranometers

A thermopile pyranometer uses a black absorbing surface and thermoelectric elements to convert a temperature difference into an electrical signal related to incoming solar radiation.

Potential Advantages

Thermopile sensors may provide:

Broad spectral response
Suitability for meteorological measurements
Good response to direct and diffuse radiation
Reduced spectral dependence compared with some silicon sensors
Compatibility with professional PV monitoring
Availability in different instrument classes

Design Considerations

The complete system must consider:

Very low sensor output
Input noise
Temperature effects
Thermal offsets
Response time
Cable resistance and shielding
Ground loops
Calibration coefficient
Dome condition
Leveling
Heating or ventilation
Data-logger resolution

Some passive thermopile sensors produce a small millivolt signal and do not need excitation for the detector itself. The LoRaWAN transmitter, amplifier, heater and communication interfaces still require power.

Analog Front-End Requirements

A low-level thermopile interface may require:

Differential measurement
High-resolution conversion
Low-offset amplifier
Stable reference
Input filtering
Shielded wiring
Surge protection
Open-circuit detection
Temperature characterization
Channel calibration

A high-resolution ADC alone does not guarantee accurate irradiance measurement. Noise, offset, reference stability, sensor calibration and installation remain important.

Silicon-Cell Pyranometers

A silicon pyranometer uses a photodiode or photovoltaic detector.

Potential Advantages

Silicon sensors may offer:

Fast response
Lower product cost
Low power requirements
Compact construction
Simple integration
Suitability for many operational monitoring projects

Important Limitations

Silicon detectors do not respond uniformly across the complete solar spectrum.

Measurement differences may occur under:

Cloudy skies
Changing atmospheric conditions
Different solar angles
Spectral changes
Reflected radiation
Different module technologies

The purchasing decision should consider the required measurement quality rather than selecting a sensor only by price or response speed.

PV Reference Cells

A PV reference cell is designed to respond in a way related to a particular photovoltaic technology.

It may be useful for:

Array-specific performance monitoring
Comparing incident radiation with PV output
Fast response
Matching selected module behavior

A reference cell and a thermopile pyranometer are not interchangeable in every application.

The specification should define:

Cell technology
Spectral response
Temperature compensation
Mounting plane
Calibration method
Required monitoring class

Pyranometer Versus PAR Sensor

A pyranometer measures broadband solar irradiance over a defined spectral response.

A PAR sensor measures photosynthetically active radiation, commonly associated with the wavelength range used by plants for photosynthesis.

PAR may be reported as photosynthetic photon flux density rather than W/m².

Use a pyranometer when the project requires:

Total solar irradiance
PV monitoring
Meteorological radiation
Energy-balance calculations

Use a PAR sensor when the project requires:

Greenhouse lighting management
Horticultural-light assessment
Crop-light studies
Photosynthetic photon measurements

A single conversion factor should not automatically be used to convert broadband irradiance into PAR for every sky and crop condition.

Instrument Classification and Standards

ISO 9060 establishes classifications and specifications for instruments that measure hemispherical and direct solar radiation.

IEC 61724-1 provides terminology, equipment and methods for photovoltaic-system performance monitoring.

The OEM project should define:

Intended application
Required monitoring class
Pyranometer classification
Calibration documentation
Installation method
Data-acquisition accuracy
Maintenance procedure
Required uncertainty
Destination-market requirements

A LoRaWAN communication module does not create or improve the measurement class of the connected pyranometer.

No ISO classification, IEC monitoring-class compliance or PV-performance suitability should be claimed unless the complete measurement system has been evaluated against the applicable requirements.

Cosine Response

Solar radiation reaches a plane at different angles throughout the day.

An ideal pyranometer responds according to the cosine of the angle between the incident radiation and the surface normal.

Real instruments have cosine-response errors.

These errors may become more important when:

The sun is low in the sky.
The sensor is not level.
The POA sensor does not match the array tilt.
The diffuser or dome is dirty.
The detector housing causes shading.
Nearby structures block part of the sky.

A sensor that performs well at noon may produce different errors during early morning or late afternoon.

Spectral Response

Solar radiation contains energy across a range of wavelengths.

The detected signal depends on:

Sensor material
Optical window
Dome
Diffuser
Coating
Filters
Detector response

Atmospheric conditions can change the incident spectrum.

The specification should distinguish:

Broadband thermopile measurement
Silicon-cell measurement
PV reference-cell measurement
PAR measurement
UV measurement

A low-cost light or lux sensor should not automatically be described as a pyranometer.

Response Time and Sampling Rate

Sensor response time and data-logger sampling rate are different parameters.

Sensor Response Time

Response time describes how quickly the sensor output follows a change in radiation.

Thermopile instruments may respond more slowly than silicon detectors.

Sampling Rate

Sampling rate defines how often the electronics read the sensor.

Sampling much faster than the sensor can respond may produce more data without adding useful physical information.

Reporting Interval

The LoRaWAN reporting interval defines how often results are transmitted.

A suitable design may:

Sample the sensor locally.
Validate each reading.
Calculate an interval average.
Preserve minimum and maximum values.
Accumulate irradiation.
Store the records.
Transmit a compact summary.
Send immediate diagnostic alarms where required.

The LoRaWAN uplink interval does not need to equal the internal sampling interval.

Mounting for GHI Measurement

A GHI sensor should be mounted horizontally according to the measurement procedure.

Installation should consider:

Leveling mechanism
Stable mounting plate
Clear view of the sky
Horizon obstructions
Pole and mast shadows
Cable direction
Nearby antennas
Access for cleaning
Drainage
Bird protection
Lightning protection

A small leveling error can affect the relationship between the sensor plane and the sun, especially at lower solar elevations.

The mounting structure should not twist or settle after installation.

Mounting for POA Measurement

A POA pyranometer should reproduce the representative module plane.

The installation record should include:

Array block
Tilt
Azimuth
Tracker identifier
Sensor height
Distance from module edges
Nearby obstructions
Mounting photograph
Calibration identifier
Installation date

If different arrays have different orientations, one POA sensor may not represent all of them.

Shading and Reflection

Possible shading sources include:

PV modules
Torque tubes
Rails
Poles
Weather-station masts
Antennas
Trees
Buildings
Fences
The sensor’s own cable

Possible reflection sources include:

White roofs
Water
Snow
Glass surfaces
Metal structures
Light-colored soil
Nearby modules

A site survey should evaluate shading throughout the day and across relevant seasons.

Soiling and Cleaning

Dust, pollen, salt, bird droppings, snow, insects and industrial deposits can reduce the radiation reaching the detector.

A maintenance procedure may include:

Place the sensor in maintenance mode.
Record the pre-cleaning reading and condition.
Inspect the dome, diffuser or optical surface.
Use the approved cleaning method.
Avoid scratching optical components.
Inspect the level and mounting.
Check the cable and connector.
Record the cleaning action.
Return the sensor to service.
Compare post-cleaning readings.

Cleaning frequency depends on:

Local dust
Rainfall
Agriculture
Coastal salt
Snow
Birds
Industrial emissions
Required data quality

Automatic rainfall does not guarantee that the sensor remains clean.

Dew, Frost, Snow and Heating

Dew or frost can form on the optical surface and distort morning measurements.

Possible design options include:

Dome heater
Ventilation
Combined heating and ventilation
Hydrophobic design
Environmental-quality flags
Maintenance alerts

Heating changes the power budget and may create thermal effects if it is not properly designed.

Snow creates additional challenges:

Complete sensor coverage
Partial coverage
Refrozen ice
Uneven melting
Snow reflection
Difficult maintenance access

The platform should distinguish missing or obstructed measurements from genuine low irradiance wherever diagnostics permit.

Temperature Effects

Pyranometer sensitivity may vary with temperature.

The system may use:

Factory temperature characterization
Internal temperature measurement
Compensation coefficients
Instrument-specific correction
Platform-based correction
Quality limits

The temperature used for correction should represent the appropriate part of the instrument.

An electronics-enclosure temperature several meters away should not automatically be treated as the detector temperature.

Calibration Coefficient

A passive thermopile pyranometer may be supplied with a sensitivity coefficient.

The data logger uses this coefficient to convert sensor voltage into irradiance.

The configuration must document:

Sensor identifier
Calibration coefficient
Coefficient unit
Calibration date
Calibration laboratory
Validity period
Data-logger channel
Firmware or configuration version

Using a coefficient from another sensor can create a systematic error even when both instruments are the same model.

Calibration and Verification

Calibration requirements depend on:

Instrument class
Project specification
Applicable standard
Environmental exposure
Required uncertainty
Previous calibration results
Customer quality system

Factory Verification

Production testing may include:

Analog-channel offset
Gain
Reference-voltage stability
Input linearity
Temperature behavior
Digital-interface communication
Cable continuity
Heater output
Battery voltage
LoRaWAN communication
Serial-number traceability
Firmware version

Field Verification

Field checks may include:

Level inspection
Orientation inspection
Optical-surface inspection
Comparison with a reference instrument
Comparison between nearby sensors
Nighttime zero behavior
Plausibility under clear sky
Response to cloud transitions
Cable and connector inspection
Heater or ventilation status

A smooth daily curve does not automatically prove that the measurement is correctly calibrated.

Sensor Replacement

After replacing a pyranometer, the platform should record:

Old sensor identifier
New sensor identifier
Replacement reason
Calibration coefficients
Calibration dates
Technician
Installation plane
Configuration changes
Comparison results

Historical data should retain the sensor and calibration version that produced it.

Low-Level Analog Pyranometer Integration

An unamplified thermopile sensor may output a small voltage.

The LoRaWAN measurement terminal should define:

Input range
Resolution
Offset
Noise
Input impedance
Differential or single-ended configuration
Common-mode limits
Cable shielding
Grounding
Surge protection
Open-circuit detection
Scaling equation
Invalid-value behavior

A disconnected input must not be converted into a valid zero-irradiance measurement.

4–20mA Pyranometer Integration

An industrial solar-radiation transmitter may provide a 4–20mA signal.

The LoRaWAN endpoint should define:

Measurement range
Loop scaling
Passive or active input
Loop power
Input resistance
Isolation
Under-range behavior
Over-range behavior
Fault-current interpretation
Cable length
Grounding

Projects using existing analog instruments can also evaluate an OEM LoRaWAN 4–20mA converter for industrial sensors.

RS485 Modbus Integration

A digital pyranometer may provide:

Current irradiance
Sensor temperature
Status flags
Calibration information
Heater status
Diagnostic codes

The LoRaWAN controller must document:

Slave address
Baud rate
Parity
Register map
Function code
Data type
Scaling
Byte order
Polling interval
Timeout
Retry behavior
Invalid-response handling

A Modbus timeout should be reported as a sensor fault rather than a nighttime irradiance value.

The OEM RS485-to-LoRaWAN converter guide provides additional information about digital sensor integration.

SDI-12 Integration

SDI-12 is used by many environmental instruments.

An OEM logger should verify:

Sensor address
Supply voltage
Warm-up requirements
Command sequence
Measurement duration
Returned parameters
Unit definitions
Error responses
Multiple-sensor operation
Cable limitations

The selected pyranometer documentation should be reviewed before the power and polling strategy is finalized.

Solar-Powered LoRaWAN Monitoring Node

A monitoring node may use a small solar panel and rechargeable battery.

System sizing should include:

Pyranometer interface
Analog electronics
RS485 or SDI-12 power
Sensor heater
Ventilator
Microcontroller
Local storage
LoRaWAN transmissions
Confirmed-message retries
Bluetooth or NFC
Battery temperature
Charging losses
Seasonal sunlight
Required backup duration

The power consumed by heating or ventilation can be much greater than the power required for a passive sensor reading.

A solar-powered node should not use the measured pyranometer value as its only charging estimate because the panel orientation, shading and electrical characteristics may be different.

Battery Operation

Battery operation may be practical when:

The sensor and interface have low power requirements.
Measurements are periodic.
No continuous heater is required.
Reporting intervals are moderate.
The installation is difficult to cable.
Local processing reduces uplink traffic.

The battery estimate should include:

Measurement duty cycle
Sensor warm-up
Analog front end
Digital-interface activity
Local calculations
Storage
LoRaWAN transmission
Retry behavior
Temperature
Self-discharge
Firmware sleep current

Battery duration must be validated using the final instrument, firmware and radio conditions.

External Power

External DC power may be preferable for:

High-frequency sampling
Heated pyranometers
Ventilation
Multiple radiation sensors
Detailed PV monitoring
Local display
Frequent data transfer
LoRaWAN Class C
SCADA integration
Additional weather sensors

Backup power can preserve measurements during a grid or inverter outage.

LoRaWAN Payload Design

A solar-radiation payload may include:

Instantaneous irradiance
Interval-average irradiance
Minimum irradiance
Maximum irradiance
Accumulated irradiation
GHI, POA or RPOA channel type
Sensor temperature
Tilt status
Cleaning or obstruction flag
Heater status
Sensor communication state
Calibration version
Battery or supply voltage
Sequence number
Historical-record flag
Firmware version
Protocol version

The payload specification should define:

Irradiance unit
Irradiation unit
Scaling
Signed-value format
Byte order
Channel numbering
Invalid-value codes
Quality flags
Counter rollover
Timestamp behavior
Historical-record handling
Protocol compatibility

The platform should not calculate daily irradiation by treating missing measurements as zero solar radiation.

Local Storage and Network Recovery

The logger may continue measuring while the gateway or internet connection is unavailable.

Local memory can store:

Irradiance samples
Interval averages
Minimum and maximum values
Accumulated irradiation
Sensor temperatures
Quality flags
Cleaning events
Calibration changes
Power interruptions
Device restarts
Configuration changes

Each record may include:

Original timestamp
Sensor identifier
Sequence number
Measurement type
Calibration version
Quality state
Historical-record flag

When communication returns, stored records should be uploaded at a controlled rate.

A delayed high-irradiance value should not be displayed as the current live reading.

Gateway Planning for Solar and Agricultural Sites

Radio performance may be affected by:

PV module rows
Metal tracker structures
Inverters
Transformers
Electrical cabinets
Buildings
Hills
Trees
Greenhouse frames
Low sensor height
Long site dimensions
Electromagnetic noise
Gateway antenna position

Gateway planning should consider:

Number of monitoring stations
Plant area
Array layout
Terrain
Sensor height
Reporting frequency
Payload size
Required redundancy
Ethernet or cellular backhaul
Backup power
Regional frequency plan
Maintenance access

The industrial LoRaWAN gateway selection and deployment guide provides further guidance on antennas, coverage, backhaul and private networks.

Coverage testing should use the final enclosure, antenna and mounting position.

PV Monitoring Platform Functions

A photovoltaic monitoring platform may provide:

Site and array hierarchy
GHI
POA
RPOA
Irradiation totals
Module temperature
Ambient temperature
Wind speed and direction
Soiling status
AC and DC electrical data
Inverter status
Performance ratio
Expected-versus-actual production
Sensor-quality flags
Calibration records
Cleaning records
Device-offline alarms
Battery status
Gateway status
User permissions
Scheduled reports
Data export
MQTT integration
HTTP API
SCADA integration

The platform should distinguish:

Measured irradiance
Accumulated irradiation
Modeled irradiance
Satellite-derived data
Corrected data
Invalid measurement
Missing data
Historical upload
Manually entered value

Comparing Irradiance With PV Output

A simplified performance analysis may compare:

Available solar irradiance
Array area and orientation
Module temperature
Rated system power
DC output
AC output
Inverter status
Curtailment
Shading
Soiling
Equipment downtime

Low power with low irradiance may be normal.

Low power with high irradiance may indicate:

Inverter limitation
Electrical fault
String outage
Excessive module temperature
Soiling
Shading
Tracker misalignment
Communication error
Incorrect pyranometer position

The analysis should not assume that every difference between irradiance and production represents a PV fault.

Data Quality Flags

A professional system should identify questionable measurements.

Quality flags may indicate:

Sensor disconnected
Modbus or SDI-12 timeout
Analog input outside range
Irradiance outside plausible limits
Sensor not level
Heater failure
Suspected dome obstruction
Calibration overdue
Battery low
Timestamp invalid
Incomplete interval
Missing samples
Historical record
Maintenance mode

An invalid reading should be marked as invalid rather than replaced with zero.

Cybersecurity and Provisioning

Every device should be associated with the correct sensor and measurement plane.

Provisioning records may include:

Device identifier
LoRaWAN credentials
Site
PV block
Array
GHI, POA or RPOA channel
Sensor identifier
Sensor technology
Calibration coefficient
Calibration date
Tilt
Azimuth
Mounting photograph
Firmware version
Installation date
Technician

A properly operating POA sensor assigned to the wrong array can produce misleading performance analysis.

OEM production should define how credentials and configuration records are generated, programmed, tested, stored and transferred.

OEM and ODM Customization Options

A custom LoRaWAN pyranometer may include:

Thermopile pyranometer
Silicon-cell pyranometer
PV reference cell
One or multiple irradiance channels
GHI measurement
POA measurement
RPOA measurement
Low-level millivolt input
Analog voltage input
4–20mA input
RS485 Modbus input
SDI-12 input
Sensor-temperature input
Module-temperature sensors
Ambient temperature and humidity
Wind sensor input
Rain-gauge input
Soiling-sensor input
Tilt sensor
Heater control
Ventilation control
Local data storage
Battery operation
External DC power
Solar charging
Backup battery
Internal or external antenna
Bluetooth or NFC configuration
Customer-defined LoRaWAN payload
Private Network Server integration
PV platform or SCADA API
Branded enclosure, labels and packaging

Projects requiring low-noise analog measurement, digital sensor interfaces or a dedicated enclosure can evaluate custom LoRaWAN PCB design and firmware development.

Regional Frequency and Compliance Planning

The sensor node and gateway must use the LoRaWAN regional plan permitted in the destination market.

Common plans include:

EU868
US915
AU915
AS923 variants
CN470
IN865
KR920
RU864

The finished product may also require evaluation for:

Radio compliance
Electromagnetic compatibility
Electrical safety
Battery transportation
Ingress protection
UV exposure
Environmental testing
Surge and lightning protection
Calibration traceability
ISO 9060 classification
IEC 61724-1 monitoring requirements
PV plant requirements
Product labeling

No instrument classification, measurement uncertainty, battery duration, ingress rating or standards compliance should be claimed before verification of the final production configuration.

Recommended OEM Development Process

1. Define the Application

Confirm whether the product will support PV monitoring, agriculture, meteorology, greenhouse management, building research or solar-resource assessment.

2. Define the Required Measurement

Specify GHI, POA, RPOA, reflected irradiance, accumulated irradiation or another required parameter.

3. Select the Sensor Technology

Compare thermopile, silicon-cell and PV reference-cell sensors according to accuracy, spectral response, response time and project cost.

4. Define the Interface

Choose low-level millivolt, voltage, 4–20mA, RS485 Modbus or SDI-12.

5. Design the Measurement Electronics

Develop the analog front end, digital interfaces, protection, power system, storage and LoRaWAN radio.

6. Develop Data Processing

Implement scaling, averaging, integration, quality flags, calibration coefficients and historical-data handling.

7. Design the Mounting System

Define leveling, tilt, azimuth, cable routing, cleaning access, shading control and environmental protection.

8. Develop the Platform

Create sensor mapping, current values, irradiation totals, calibration records, PV comparisons, alarms and APIs.

9. Test the Complete Device

Evaluate input accuracy, noise, temperature, power consumption, sensor faults, environmental exposure and radio performance.

10. Conduct a Site Pilot

Install GHI and POA sensors at representative locations and compare the data with suitable reference measurements and PV output.

11. Prepare for Production

Finalize calibration records, test fixtures, LoRaWAN credentials, firmware versioning, sensor pairing, labels, packaging and traceability.

Information Required for a Quotation

Customers should provide:

PV plant, agriculture, weather or research application
GHI, POA, RPOA or other measurement requirement
Thermopile, silicon-cell or reference-cell preference
Required instrument classification
Required irradiance range
Required uncertainty and resolution
Millivolt, voltage, 4–20mA, RS485 or SDI-12 interface
Number of radiation channels
Required cable lengths
Fixed, tracker or rooftop installation
Array tilt and azimuth
Sensor-heating or ventilation requirement
Measurement and reporting intervals
Irradiation calculation requirement
Local storage duration
Calibration and certificate requirements
Module-temperature inputs
Ambient weather-sensor integration
Soiling-sensor integration
Battery, external-power or solar preference
Destination country and LoRaWAN frequency
Number and distribution of monitoring stations
Gateway and backhaul requirements
Network Server
PV platform, SCADA or API integration
Required monitoring standard
Prototype and estimated production quantities
Logo, enclosure, labels and packaging requirements

Site layouts, array drawings, monitoring specifications and pyranometer datasheets can improve the technical proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a LoRaWAN pyranometer measure?

It measures solar irradiance on a defined plane and transmits the reading through a LoRaWAN network.

What unit does a pyranometer use?

Instantaneous solar irradiance is commonly reported in W/m². Accumulated solar irradiation may be reported in Wh/m² or kWh/m².

Is GHI the same as POA?

No. GHI is measured on a horizontal plane. POA is measured in the plane of the PV array.

Can one sensor measure both GHI and POA?

One fixed sensor measures radiation on one physical plane. Separate sensors or a controlled movable arrangement are normally required for simultaneous GHI and POA measurements.

What is RPOA?

RPOA is rear plane-of-array irradiance, which is relevant to bifacial PV modules receiving radiation on their rear surfaces.

Does a standard pyranometer measure DNI?

Not directly in every configuration. Direct normal irradiance normally requires a suitable direct-radiation instrument and solar-tracking arrangement or a validated calculation method.

Which is better: thermopile or silicon?

Thermopile sensors generally provide broader spectral response, while silicon sensors may offer lower cost and faster response. The correct choice depends on the monitoring objective and required quality.

Is a lux sensor the same as a pyranometer?

No. A lux sensor is designed around human visual response. A pyranometer measures solar irradiance according to its defined spectral and directional characteristics.

Is a PAR sensor the same as a pyranometer?

No. A PAR sensor measures photosynthetically active radiation for plant-related applications. A pyranometer measures broadband solar irradiance.

Why must the sensor be level?

The measured irradiance depends on the orientation of the sensing plane. Incorrect leveling changes the relationship between the surface and incoming solar radiation.

Why does the sensor need cleaning?

Dust, bird droppings, salt, pollen, snow and other deposits can block radiation and produce readings lower than the actual incident irradiance.

Does the sensor need calibration?

Yes. The calibration interval and method depend on the instrument, project specification, required uncertainty and applicable standard.

Can the system operate from batteries?

Potentially. Feasibility depends on the pyranometer interface, sampling interval, reporting frequency and whether heating or ventilation is required.

What happens when the gateway is offline?

The logger can continue measuring and preserve records if local memory is included. Live remote data requires an operational gateway and backhaul connection.

Does every pyranometer need a SIM card?

No. Multiple LoRaWAN sensor nodes can communicate with a shared gateway. The gateway may use one cellular connection where fixed internet is unavailable.

Can it connect to an existing PV monitoring platform?

Custom payloads, MQTT, HTTP APIs, Modbus gateways and SCADA integration can be evaluated according to the customer’s architecture.

Is private-label manufacturing available?

Sensor integration, PCB design, firmware, enclosure, payload protocol, labels, packaging and platform integration can be evaluated for OEM or ODM production.

Conclusion

A LoRaWAN pyranometer enables distributed solar-radiation monitoring across PV plants, farms, greenhouses, meteorological stations and research sites without installing an individual cellular connection or long communication cable at every measurement point.

Reliable results depend on selecting the correct thermopile, silicon or reference-cell technology and defining whether the project requires GHI, POA, RPOA or another radiation component.

Installation is as important as the sensor specification. Incorrect leveling, mismatched array tilt, structural shading, dirt, frost or an incorrect calibration coefficient can produce misleading data even when the LoRaWAN communication remains fully operational.

A professional monitoring system should preserve calibration records, identify invalid measurements and distinguish live readings from delayed historical data. It should also separate directly measured irradiance from modeled or satellite-derived values.

For PV performance analysis, irradiance should be evaluated together with module temperature, ambient weather, soiling, electrical output and equipment status. Reduced production is not automatically a PV fault when the available solar resource has also decreased.

Shenzhen Jinshengchang Technology Co., Ltd. can evaluate OEM and ODM solar-radiation monitoring projects covering pyranometer integration, precision analog electronics, RS485 and SDI-12 interfaces, embedded firmware, LoRaWAN communication, gateways, local storage, PV platforms, APIs, prototypes and production preparation.

Request an OEM LoRaWAN Pyranometer Proposal

Send your application, required radiation component, sensor technology, measurement interface, installation plane, calibration requirements, sampling interval, power preference, destination country, estimated quantity and platform interface for technical evaluation.

Shenzhen Jinshengchang Technology Co., Ltd.

WhatsApp: +86 134 8088 1974
Phone: +86 134 8088 1974
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