Solar energy

An efficient utilization of the solar energy and protection of the system are decisive for the profitability of photovoltaic (PV) power stations and concentrated solar power (CSP) plants as well as hybrid PV and CSP power plants. SICK has developed sensors for harsh ambient conditions specifically for the solar industry. Inclination sensors and encoders measure the position of parabolic trough collectors and solar cells and thereby allow solar panel tracking. Gateway systems transmit sensor data to the cloud. This enables downstream processes to be optimized, which results in greater transparency and an increased energy output. For applications such as agrophotovoltaic systems above grape vines, SICK has expanded its portfolio with agrometeorological sensors.