Solar check in a pocket

⚡ Worried your modules aren't producing what they should?

Check your PV system with a compact irradiance sensor and your smartphone. Establish a practical reference with Smart-Cal™, then check for changes over time.

View PVS01 Sensor

Practical comparative field assessment — not a substitute for certified or traceable measurement equipment where such equipment is required.

PVBuddy PVS01 sensor in PV field testing

PVBuddy PVS01 used with PVBuddy mobile app

A practical reference for PV field checking

PVS01 measures irradiance and works with the PVBuddy App to establish a practical reference for your PV system. The reference can be based on the inverter kWh reading of a representative string or strings with the same orientation.

Once established, repeat measurements can be used to compare changes and deviations under comparable, stable sunlight conditions.

Smart-Cal™ — flexible reference adjustment

PVS01 gives you flexibility in how you establish your irradiance reference. Use a laboratory-calibrated irradiance meter when available, or use the inverter kWh reading from a representative PV string or strings with the same orientation.

Meter-referenced

If you have access to a calibrated irradiance meter, PVS01 can be adjusted against that reference.

PV system-referenced

Use the inverter kWh reading from a representative string or strings with the same orientation to establish a practical field reference.

Why use PVBuddy? The smart way to test solar module health

Benefit 1

Flexible Smart-Cal™ reference

Save money on calibration. Adjust PVS01 against your inverter or a reference meter—no expensive lab fees to you.

Benefit 2

Practical field testing

Test without shutdown. Check your modules while your system keeps running. No downtime, no disruption.

Benefit 3

From module to system

One tool for your entire setup. Works for a single module or panel, a string, or your whole PV array.

Typical test flow for inverter calibrated mode

A simple three-step approach for establishing and checking a PV reference.

Step 1 Select test area

Select the test area and place the PVS01 sensor in the same orientation as the module or string being assessed.

Step 2 Set your reference

Check the inverter kWh reading and tune the sensor using the PVBuddy App for that string, or for strings having the same orientation.

Step 3 Test and compare

Repeat Step 1 to test again under comparable, stable sunlight conditions and compare the measurement with the established reference.

Works fully with the PVBuddy App for sensor setup, reference adjustment and comparative PV testing.

Important: PVS01 is an irradiance sensor designed for comparative PV field assessment. Smart-Cal™ provides flexible reference adjustment using either an appropriate calibrated irradiance meter or a practical PV system reference. The PVBuddy reference method is intended to help identify changes or deviations in PV performance. It is not a substitute for certified or traceable measurement equipment where such equipment is required.

Ready to check your PV system?

Start with the PVBuddy PVS01 irradiance sensor.

US$199

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Solar check in a pocket

A practical reference for PV field checking