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Evaluation of Photodiode-Based Pyranometers and Reference Solar Cells on a Two-Axis Tracking System

Conference ·
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. University of Oregon
  2. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  3. Technological Educational Institute of Crete

The performance of photodiode-based pyranometers and reference solar cells are examined on a two-axis tracker surface. This is the third in a series of papers examining the performance of photodiode-based pyranometers and reference solar cells on fixed and tracking surfaces. Because the instruments are oriented normally to the incident radiation, angle-of-incidence effects are minimized. By removing the angle-of-incidence effects inherent in earlier studies, the change in the sensor's clear sky responsivity can be more clearly identified. It was found that the photodiode-based pyranometers demonstrate a larger change in responsivity than the reference solar cells. Spectral measurements are recommended to verify the cause of this difference.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1508489
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-5D00-73754
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English