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Soiling loss monitoring at maximum power point

Written by Negin Hashemi | Feb 1, 2026 12:47:06 PM

Optimizing PV Output with Advanced Soiling Loss Monitoring

Accurate monitoring of soiling losses is vital to maximizing energy production in solar PV systems. EKO Instruments introduces PV-MON, an advanced solution for real-time soiling loss assessment directly at the Maximum Power Point (MPP), delivering more precise, actionable data than traditional short-circuit current methods.

Why Soiling Monitoring at MPP Matters Conventional methods using Isc often overlook non-uniform soiling and real operational losses. EKO’s MPP-based approach offers:

  • Accurate assessment of performance degradation due to dirt and debris.
  • Detection of non-uniform soiling patterns impacting string-level energy output.
  • Insights aligned with IEC 61724-1 performance monitoring standards.

Innovative Monitoring Solutions with PV-MON The PV-MON system ensures performance optimization through:

  • Transparent, real-time power measurements (1500V/30A) at string level.
  • Integration of clean reference modules/cells to benchmark soiling impact.
  • High-precision Pt-100 temperature sensors for accurate loss correction.

Designed for Precision and Integration PV-MON's modular and scalable design integrates seamlessly into new or existing systems. Highlights include:

  • Universal Modbus RTU interface for DAQ or SCADA systems.
  • Support for multiple pyranometers and reference cells.
  • Onboard data processing and flexible setup via configuration tools.

Addressing Real-World Soiling Complexity EKO tackles the challenge of spatially variable soiling with a method that:

  • Measures actual MPP output loss rather than relying on isolated Isc values.
  • Accounts for dynamic soiling behavior affected by weather and time-of-day.
  • Avoids overestimations and supports smarter, data-driven maintenance.

The Future of Solar Monitoring Launching in Q4 2024, PV-MON sets a new standard in maintenance-free solar monitoring. Future enhancements will integrate irradiance analysis, reinforcing EKO’s role as a leading one-stop solution provider for solar performance measurement.

Read the full article here: https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-article/soiling-loss-monitoring-at-maximum-power-point/