Inclinometers are used in wind turbines and solar arrays for different reasons to detect positions maximizing efficiency.
Wind Turbines
The anemometer on a wind turbine is the mechanism used to determine the direction of the wind. If wind direction is not perfectly horizontal but contains a vertical component, then the anemometer will tilt. This tilt can be measured precisely by an inclinometer, for which the wind turbine can compensate. During testing, installation, and for safety reasons, high resolution inclinometers can determine any tilt of the tower with respect to gravity.
Solar Arrays
Solar tracking is a method that arrays use to enhance the performance of various components. These solar components can include photovoltaic panels, concentrating reflectors, or lenses. This performance is increased by maximizing the amount of time the given component is oriented towards the sun. This position is easily measured by an inclinometer attached to any part of the component. As with many outdoor applications, an inclinometer is especially desirable because there is no need for direct coupling to a shaft. A high IP rating is needed to keep rain and dust from disrupting measurements.
