# Introduction

> Welcome to the Denowatts Hardware Installation Guide!

Source: https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/deno4intro

**Welcome to the Denowatts Hardware Installation Guide!**

![Example of Tracker System with a POA-Deno Installation](https://docs.denowatts.com/media/01M3Y4BDTT5V1KAHQ26YHF6YKB-deno-tracker-front-ea407bb9c8eb12695452e7038ae0cb42.webp)

**Simply Put:** Denowatts is a state-of-the-art solar PV benchmarking technology. We use our proprietary, highly engineered, self-powered, wireless sensors to measure sunlight and back-of-module temperature to simulate a PV system's expected performance in real time. [**Learn more here!**](https://denowatts.com/technology)

## Objective

The objective of this installation guide is to provide technicians with all of the necessary information to seamlessly install a full Denowatts hardware package within a couple of hours (for most sites). If you are new to this process, we urge you to carefully review this entire guide to guarantee a successful installation on the first trip.

If you are looking for a specific part in this process, use the side-bar menus on the left of the page to navigate to the desired topic.

**Please contact Denowatts at any point while reading this guide with questions, comments, or concerns:**

- By Phone: 978.309.6688 x1
- Email: [support@denowatts.com](mailto:support@denowatts.com)

![Example of Fixed Tilt System with a POA-Deno Installation](https://docs.denowatts.com/media/01M3Y4N8N4QS4S3NKBNYJ6NRA3-img-5783-37491a8d0e8084ffdf4701ea6b7b23b2.webp)

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## Definitions

- [**Gateway**](https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/gateway-setup/overview) \- The central datalogger to which all Deno Sensors and onsite device report.
  
- **[Hub](https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/gateway-setup/overview)** - The central landing spot for all power and serial RS-485 wires.
  
- [**Antenna**](https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/gateway-setup/installation/antenna) - a device used to enable wireless communications between the gateway and the Deno sensors.
  
- [**Deno Sensor**](https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/deno-sensor-setup/installation/poa-deno) - the primary sensor (about the size of a TV remote), installed in a GHI or POA orientation. Contains two pyranometers, a charging cell, antenna connection port, and wire terminals for Aux sensors.
  
  - [**POA**](https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/deno-sensor-setup/installation/poa-deno) - Plane-of-Array: a sensor installed in the same orientation as the panels are in.
  - [**GHI**](https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/deno-sensor-setup/installation/ghi-deno) - Global Horizontal Irradiance - This references a sensor that is installed perfectly flat in both X and Y directions.
- **Aux Sensor** - These are sensors that are plugged into the main Deno Sensor. They can be one or all of the following: rPOA, Tbom, or Auxiliary pyranometer.
  
  - [**Tbom**](https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/deno-sensor-setup/installation/auxillary-sensors/tbom) - Back of Module Temperature - This term describes the back-of-module temperature sensor or sensor reading.
  - [**rPOA**](https://docs.denowatts.com/hardware/current-deno-hardware/deno-sensor-setup/installation/auxillary-sensors/rpoa) - Rearside Plane-of-Array: This term is used only with bifacial modules and indicates a sensor installed with an orientation that faces the backside of the solar module.
- **DAS** - Data Acquisition System - the site's data acquisition system. The Denowatts gateway is typically installed in the site's main DAS enclosure and powered up behind the UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
  

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## Additional Training & Resources

1. Check out the [**Denowatts Support Center**](https://support.denowatts.com/) for more articles that dive deeper into our methodology and software.

2. We also encourage you to take our available course offerings that are free on Heatspring:

   - [Hardware Installation Certification](https://www.heatspring.com/courses/denowatts-installer-certification-training)

   - [Denowatts for Project Managers](https://www.heatspring.com/courses/denowatts-for-project-managers)

   ![HeatSpring](https://docs.denowatts.com/media/01M3Y4ERX5D4Y1A6ZF4XRW7K06-inline-image-30511638.webp)