A proposed high-intensity radiometer calibration method using concentrated solar radiation

Journal Article · Thu Jul 24 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Solar Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.113798· OSTI ID:2585595

McLaughlin, Luke Patrick ^[1]; Maldonado, Luis Garcia ^[1]; Laubscher, Hendrik F. ^[1]; Bean, Benjamin Gabriel ^[1]; Morrell, Joseph Alan ^[1]; Small, Kathryn Anderson ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Accurate calibration of irradiance measurement devices, or radiometers, is essential for ensuring the reliability of measurements in high heat applications such as concentrating solar power (CSP), aerospace, defense, and pulsed power systems. Despite the critical need, existing calibration standards and service providers are limited to irradiance levels below 100 kW/m² and specific radiation sources, which is insufficient for many applications. For instance, CSP technologies, particularly those under the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Gen 3 program, require accurate measurements of broadband irradiance at levels exceeding 2000 kW/m². In even more extreme scenarios, such as re-entry vehicles, heat levels can surpass 10000 kW/m². Current ISO standards, specifically ISO 14934–2 and ISO 14934–3, are constrained to lower irradiance levels and dependent on black body heat sources, limiting their applicability for high-intensity broadband irradiance measurements, particularly in concentrated solar applications. Here, to address this shortfall, the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) proposes a calibration method and facility capable of characterizing radiometers up to 2750 kW/m² using concentrated solar irradiance. Calibrating with concentrated sunlight is important for solar applications as it aligns the calibration process with the solar spectrum. This alignment is crucial for minimizing systematic errors and avoiding the need for additional corrections that may arise when radiometers designed for solar applications are calibrated using black-body or electrical sources. This paper presents the present day NSTTF characterization facility and procedure, detailing the proposed calibration method and uncertainty quantification. The presented method builds upon 1980′s NSTTF methodology and involves both theoretical and empirical methods to establish a robust relationship between gauge voltage output and irradiance intensity, quantifying both measurement and fitting errors. By addressing the limitations of existing standards and extending the characterization range, this work provides an advancement in the field of high-intensity irradiance measurement and instrumentation characterization.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 2585595
• Report Number(s): SAND--2025-10041J; 1776565
• Journal Information: Solar Energy, Journal Name: Solar Energy Vol. 299; ISSN 0038-092X
• Publisher: Elsevier BV
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Gardon gauge
High-intensity radiometer calibration method
Kendall cavity radiometer
Measurement error
Solar irradiance