Lufft Provides Compact Weather Stations for One of the Largest Solar Projects in the United States

Fellbach, Germany, January 30, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The 200 megawatt (MW) photo-voltaic solar farm in Southern California weather stations will use the German measurement and control technology of Lufft for monitoring meteorological data. The project is led by Trimark Associates. The supplier of measurement and communication solutions is a longstanding partner of Lufft and responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the data measured on-site.

In Southern California's Imperial Valley one of the largest solar projects in the United States of America is being created currently. The two Lufft weather stations WS500-UMB and WS503-UMB are among the best monitoring instruments and collect real-time weather data for the Imperial Valley Solar 1 plant. Data such as solar radiation, air temperature, wind speed and wind direction help to optimize the output power of the massive solar system.

"In the Imperial Valley Solar 1 project we work with the world's most advanced technology and use hardware components of the highest quality and reliability," said Robert Hinchman, Regional Director of Trimark Associates. "As with many photo-voltaic plants in desert areas, durability is essential due to the extreme heat and cold and the blowing sand and grit."

Another reason for the selection of Lufft weather sensors is the high industrial quality of the equipment as well as low maintenance. The stations are extremely reliable despite the high amounts of electricity they need to deliver daily.

"We are delighted that our all-in-one weather stations were selected for the collection of real-time data for managing operations of a solar system of this magnitude," says Ann Pattison, CEO of Lufft USA Inc. "The Imperial Valley is one of the greatest testing grounds in the world for feeding solar electricity into the grid and for meeting the basic needs of the energy industry. Lufft plays a very important key role for us. "

In recent years, American weather stations have increasingly started using Lufft technology. This is required due to a change of state laws that require monitoring of meteorological data in grid-connected solar systems. As a 200 MW power generating solar project, Imperial Valley Solar 1 requires two meteorological stations for monitoring ambient temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, air temperature, solar radiation and surface temperature.

Accurate weather monitoring in real-time and accurate weather forecasts allow public utility service providers like the San Diego Gas & Electric, the power supply project in Imperial Valley, to take advantage of the predictive availability of energy from renewable sources. This shortage can be avoided by efficient performance management of electricity and other energy resources.

The 360 million U.S. dollar Imperial Valley Solar 1 plant, designed and implemented by a multinational Spanish developer and subcontractor of renewable energy AES Solar, is one of five plants planned for field installations. It is one of the first to be connected to the electricity supply of San Diego Gas & Electric service area. In the near future, the Imperial Valley Solar farms will generate more than 1,100 MW of renewable energy in full operation. Electricity will be delivered to San Diego, using a 188 km transmission line.

For more details visit: http://www.lufft.com/

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