Fluke Steps into Solar Industry with New Solar Irradiance Meter

July 29, 2021

New energy technologies, like solar, require specialized test tools to efficiently provide critical measurements. The new Fluke IRR1-SOL Irradiance Meter has been designed from the ground up to simplify the installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of photovoltaic arrays by measuring irradiance, temperature, inclination, and direction of the solar array with a single handheld tool.

Watch the IRR1-SOL video here.

The simple user interface, instantaneous solar irradiation measurements, and built-in temperature sensor make it easy to meet IEC 62446-1 requirements for testing, documenting, and maintaining photovoltaic systems. Additionally, the integrated compass and inclination sensor allow technicians to quickly measure and document roof and site orientation, pitch, and panel tilt while surveying, installing, or adjusting an installation.

“The Fluke IRR1-SOL Irradiance Meter fills a pressing need for dedicated test tools to quickly and easily verify and document the performance of photovoltaic installations,” said Allison Wyatt, global product marketing manager. “It’s just the latest in Fluke’s portfolio of test tools that speed the installation and maintenance of photovoltaic arrays.”

The Fluke IRR1-SOL Solar Irradiance Meter is ideal for:

• Photovoltaic system design and surveying — to find the expected production at a site, technicians must determine the solar resource while taking shading into account. The Fluke IRR1-SOL measures the actual solar irradiance (Watts/m²) and shading at the site to develop a baseline.
• Measuring — once the system is installed, the IRR1-SOL ensures it is operating as designed by taking the critical measurements needed when determining its power output.
• Comparing and diagnosing — even when installed correctly, a photovoltaic system may not be producing the expected electrical output. The IRR1-SOL confirms the correct amount of irradiance energy is being received to generate the DC voltage that is fed into the inverter.

Bringing dedicated tools to solar design, installation, and troubleshooting

With the new IRR1-SOL Irradiance Meter, Fluke is bringing its long history of leadership in electrical test and measurement to the solar energy industry with tools that provide the precise measurements that allow solar professionals to solve their unique problems quickly and easily. Fluke tools operate reliably in the extreme environments that solar professionals work in — dusty, wet, cold, and hot — and are tested to survive drops that can occur in field work. Fluke tools are also designed to keep workers safe in potentially dangerous electrical environments, meeting or exceeding all recommended safety standards.

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