Low carbon technology experts, Encraft are launching SunEye, a hand held device that maximises the efficiency of solar panels, saving time and money for professionals. SunEye is designed for easy use by solar installers and surveyors to optimise the placement and orientation of solar panels. It measures solar access shading and the impact of shading at a particular location. With the press of a button, the user can see when and where shadows will occur throughout the day and year.

The device allows users quickly to model the effects of changing surroundings (for example, by pruning trees or simulating future obstructions) and data can be exported directly into spreadsheets or industry standard solar design software. Trials in the UK have already demonstrated the value of SunEye. Established solar installer John Hill, Director of JHS Power Solutions, has been using the SunEye since August. As he says: “The SunEye gives us fast estimates, leading to quick sales and designs, saving us time and money."

John’s view is that it has made a big difference – streamlining the survey and quotation process and also impressing customers by demonstrating professionalism. It may seem obvious, but solar energy systems – particularly PV – are extremely sensitive to shading from trees, chimneys, or other obstructions. In the worst cases performance can be degraded by up to 80 or 90%. This means the energy outputs and returns from poorly sited systems can be orders of magnitude worse than systems mounted a few metres away. It is not always obvious where shadows will fall in September or April if sites are surveyed in July or December (or where shadows will fall in the afternoon when sites are surveyed in the morning)."

Until now, professional installers have relied on laborious manual surveys and heavy data input demands to software tools to make sure they site solar systems well. SunEye (patent pending) is a handheld electronic instrument that automates this analysis and makes it easy. SunEye’s integrated digital camera and fish eye lens capture an image of the entire horizon in 360 degrees. A GPS system locates the user, and on board electronics plot the path of the sun at that location throughout the year, superimposing this on the digital image. Image analysis software detects obstructions in the path of the sun, and meteorological data is used to compute annual, monthly, daily and hourly solar access allowing for shading (and the orientation and tilt of the proposed panels) at that point.

Armed with this data, the solar system designer can make informed choices about the optimum location of their system. Guesswork and ballpark estimation are replaced with solid data. In the US, solar installers are obliged to provide solar access reports to qualify for grant funding. This is because the government requires evidence that systems are actually working well so that their estimates of carbon and energy saved across the country are accurate.

While the UK market is not yet as advanced or sophisticated as the US or Germany, Encraft Managing Director Matthew Rhodes reckons this is just a matter of time. “Using modern professional tools and making sure renewable energy systems are properly planned and installed is always going to be in the interests of both the industry and customers," he says.

“We have long track record in the UK of cutting corners up front and regretting it later, encouraged by grant schemes that take no account of how well engineered systems are or how well they are installed, which is the critical performance factor for almost all micro-renewables," he continues. "The wrong type of grants can result in deskilling and short-cuts on site, leading to customer disillusion, and increased barriers to market growth. Tools like SunEye demonstrate to customers that the industry is serious about looking after their interests. Installers and designers who use them show they are thorough and care about the details.

“We are delighted to have established an exclusive partnership with Solmetric in the US to bring SunEye to the UK market," he adds. "As a company we are 100% committed to developing a world-class and customer-focused, professional micropower industry in the UK. Making SunEye available here is another significant step in the right direction.”

The SunEye UK version is priced at £1750 including all peripherals and a two year warranty. Encraft provide training, software and technical support from their offices in the Midlands. For more information, please visit the SunEye website.