PSE AG introduces a new sun position sensor

Freiburg, June 10th, 2013 – PSE AG, along with development partner Black Photon Instruments GmbH, will be presenting its new sun position sensor, the Heliosensor, for the first time at Intersolar Europe 2013. The Heliosensor determines the incidence angle of solar radiation with high precision, and so tests the precision of single and dual axis solar tracking systems, such as heliostats and CPV trackers. The Heliosensor can also be used as a position sensor for high-precision tracking systems. The wide acceptance angle (for monitoring angle-dependent measurements) is especially interesting for research institutions.

The sensor measures the incidence angle of direct sunlight within an acceptance angle of +/- 60°. The resolution for the entire range is better than 0.02°. PSE has patented its method of attaining a combination of such a wide incidence angle and such high resolution. Within the sensor, a transparent pattern is positioned in front of a CCD chip. Depending on the sun’s angle in relation to the sensor, a different part of the pattern is projected onto the chip. Software developed by PSE then determines the incidence angle of the sun in relation to the sensor.

The concept, the degree of innovation and the broad range of applications have convinced the Intersolar Awards committee: Out of numerous candidates, PSE AG and Black Photon Instruments GmbH were nominated a finalist in the solar thermal category. A presentation of the sensor’s concept and its advantages will introduce the Heliosensor at the Intersolar Europe Innovation Exchange on Wednesday, June 19th, Hall B2, booth B2.430. In addition, PSE AG will be exhibiting the new sensor at the PSE booth, A2.434.

Andreas Häberle, CEO of PSE AG, reports that the idea for the Heliosensor “was born of the challenge to document the precision of our trackers for testing institutions. No sufficiently precise instrument was available on the market, so we had to develop one ourselves. We are very excited to present our Heliosensor at the Intersolar in Munich.”

More and more concentrating solar technologies with tracking systems have been installed and operated successfully in recent years. With the Heliosensor, researchers and product developers have a reliable tool for developing tracking systems and for measuring the performance of solar modules and collectors.