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This non-electronic instrument is an easy-to-use tool that accurately measures the shading of any site, allowing the user to see what could shade the system throughout the year. Because the Solar Pathfinder™ works on a reflective principle rather than actually showing shadows, it can be used anytime of the day, anytime of the year, in either cloudy or clear weather. The actual position of the sun at the time of the solar site analysis is irrelevant. In fact, the unit is easier to use in the absence of direct sunlight. It could even be used on a moonlit night.

A key component of the Solar Pathfinder™ is a transparent, hard plastic dome set on top of a solid base (the instrument "platform"). The user looks down onto the dome to see a panoramic view of the site reflected on the dome's surface. All of the obstacles to sunshine at that location can be clearly seen in this reflection. A paper sun-path diagram, which shows the sun's route through the sky for every month of the year and every hour of the day, is placed underneath the dome. Slots in the side of the dome allow the user to trace the outline of the reflected obstacles onto the diagram, revealing exactly what obstacles will shade the selected site and when.

Users may also take a digital photo and use it instead of drawing on the diagram. They can also upload the photo into the Assistant software for shading data. The complete kit contains the plastic dome, instrument platform, tripod legs (optional), base section, sun-path charts for customer specified latitudes, and comprehensive user instructions. All of this is housed in a very lightweight and durable plastic carrying case. The Solar Pathfinder™ setup is quick and easy, and usually takes just a few minutes. The Solar Pathfinder™ has gained world-wide acceptance and continues to reach out to countries entering the renewable energy market.

As the Spanish, German, and French versions of softare are being prepared for release on the software, IMT SOLAR formally introduces the Solar Pathfinder to the European marketat INTERSOLAR 2010 in Munich!

Solar Pathfinder Assistant 4 Software

Any scientific analysis requires accurate input and careful calculations. The Solar Pathfinder and Assistant provide mathematical precision for accurate shading assessment (solar site analysis) by eliminating gross errors in structure orientation, solar system sizing, and PV/collector placement. The Solar Pathfinder Assistant software dovetails local weather data (using NREL/WMO) and site-specific shade analysis in a customizable report. Originally furnished for the ecological and photovoltaic applications, the Assistant software now services the growing thermal technologies.

Regardless of the industry being serviced, the software identifies the shading patterns and total potential energy produced at any given site. The Solar Pathfinder Assistant software is a fast, accurate, and proven way to create a data-rich report for solar rebate programs.

IMT’s Next Solar Pathfinder Webinar:

Join us on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 10:00am Eastern Daylight Time

for a live one hour webinar on using the Solar Pathfinder Assistant software.

Attendance is limited, so please email your reservation to dkostick@imtsolar.com to firm up your registration and get the log-on credentials for the webinar

Downloads

Solar Pathfinder

Manual

3100kb