Silicon-photodiode pyranometers: Operational characteristics, historical experiences, and new calibration procedures

Conference · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:548688

King, D L ^[1]; Myers, D R ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)

Small, low-cost, silicon-photodiode pyranometers are now widely used for solar irradiance measurements associated with solar thermal and photovoltaic power systems, as well as for agricultural applications. Without correction, the irradiance values indicated by these pyranometers may differ from the true broadband solar irradiance by over 10%. This paper identifies the time-of-day dependent factors responsible for these systematic errors, and describes new procedures that effectively compensate for the systematic influences. Application of the procedures should improve calibration methods and the accuracy of field measurements.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 548688
• Report Number(s): SAND-97-1180C; CONF-970953-; ON: DE98001184; BR: YN0100000; TRN: AHC29724%%90
• Resource Relation: Conference: 26. IEEE photovoltaic specialists conference, Anaheim, CA (United States), 29 Sep - 3 Oct 1997; Other Information: PBD: [1997]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
PYRANOMETERS
PHOTODIODES
SOLAR RADIATION
SILICON
PERFORMANCE
CALIBRATION
PHOTOMETERS
ACCURACY
RELIABILITY