How We Measure Soiling: ARES Soiling Station Deep Dive

scott5412
23 minutes ago
3 min read

In solar energy, soiling—the buildup of dust, pollen, and debris on panels—is one of the most underestimated performance killers. Left unchecked, soiling can clip off over 40% of your system’s output, quietly eroding your return on investment. That’s why we built the ARES Soiling Station—to directly tackle soiling loss with a fully integrated solution that combines high-accuracy solar sensing, automated rinsing, and real-time cloud analytics. Here’s a closer look at how ARES works, what makes it unique, and how it delivers the data you need to clean smarter, save more, and protect every kilowatt‑hour of your solar asset.

Precision Monitoring with Large‑Area Reference Cells

At its core, ARES is a photovoltaic reference‑cell‑based soiling loss sensor. Unlike estimate‑driven approaches, ARES directly measures the performance drop caused by soiling by comparing:

Clean Reference Cell: Automatically rinsed via our Wash Extension each morning, providing a pristine baseline.
Soiled Reference Cell: Left untouched to accumulate dirt throughout the day.

By sampling the full solar spectrum on two identical, large‑area cells, ARES computes reliable metrics—soiling loss as a percentage of daily insolation and soiling rate (moving average of % loss/day)—that reflect real field conditions. This calculated (not estimated) approach empowers you to act on real performance data, not guesswork.

Feature	ARES
Large surface area	✓
Installation under 1 hour	✓
Calculated vs. estimated metric	✓
Measures full light spectrum	✓
No calibration required	✓
Self‑powered	✓
Automatic washing (Wash Extension)	✓

Real‑Time Software for Anywhere Monitoring

Data is only valuable if it drives action. That’s why ARES comes with a real-time dashboard and flexible API access, giving you full visibility from anywhere.

View Key Soiling Data: Daily loss curves, soiling rate trends, transmission loss snapshots.
Forecast Wash Dates: Predict when soiling will cross your optimal wash threshold and get proactive alerts.
Analyze Savings: Model wash frequency versus cost to identify the optimal number of cleanings per year and potential savings.
Download Raw Data: CSV export or Modbus RTU for integration into custom monitoring systems.
Manage Users: Multi‑login support so your entire team stays in sync.

With data refreshing every five minutes over a cellular 3G/LTE Cat M1 link (global eSIM or Nor‑Am LTE), ARES keeps you plugged in 24/7, even in remote installations.

Low‑Maintenance, High‑Reliability Design

We understand that O&M resources are precious. That’s why ARES was engineered for the lowest maintenance profile on the market:

Self‑Powered UPS: 20 W solar module with LTO battery chemistry, extended temperature range (–20 °C to +75 °C).
Robust Enclosure: IP67‑rated, mechanical load rated for wind (±2400 Pa) and snow (+5400 Pa).
Self‑Calibration: Easy 1×/year on‑site calibration over-the-air via Modbus—no off‑site lab trips.
Automatic Wash Extension: 120° brass nozzle, 60 psi diaphragm pump, 16 gal reservoir—eliminates manual cleaning of the reference cell.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Component	Specification
Reservoir	16 gal (60.5 L)
Pump	60 psi max, 1 GPM, 12 V DC
Data Connection	Cellular 3G (Global) / LTE Cat M1 (Nor‑Am), Modbus RTU RS‑485
Reference Cell	Polycrystalline with standard ARC coating
Dimensions	24.5” × 11” × 2.52”
Weight	7.5 lbs
Warranty	5 years / Unlimited*

From Data to Decisions: Optimize Your Maintenance Strategy

Collecting soiling data is only half the battle; turning it into actionable strategy is where ARES shines:

Threshold Alerts: Set custom thresholds for soiling loss and receive instant notifications when panels need cleaning—no more reactive or calendar‑based washes.
Wash Analysis Tool: Leverage historical soiling rates, site production data, local weather patterns, and cost parameters to generate an optimized wash schedule that maximizes yield and minimizes O&M spend.
Performance Benchmarking: Deploy multiple ARES stations across different arrays, module types, or locations to compare soiling resilience and guide future project design.

Start Optimizing Today

With its precision reference‑cell measurements, automated rinsing, low‑maintenance hardware, and powerful real‑time analytics, the ARES Soiling Station turns soiling management from a guessing game into a data‑backed, ROI‑driven strategy. Whether you’re managing a single rooftop array or a fleet of utility‑scale sites, ARES gives you: