What You Need To Know About Pyranometer Measurement Equipment
If your application calls for pyranometer measurement equipment, there are a few things you should first know about them and how they work. Having this information on hand can help to ensure that you select the type of pyranometer that is most suitable for your needs. Please note that, due to the focus of this article, we will not be discussing how to measure solar radiation.
What is global solar radiation?
The sun creates radiation over wavelengths from 0.15 to 4.0 µm, called the solar spectrum. The measurement of radiation on the earth is known as global solar radiation. It is the direct and diffuse solar radiation that the hemisphere receives above the plane of the pyranometer. It’s difficult to find an environmental process that isn’t driven (directly or indirectly) by the sun’s energy.
Who measures global solar radiation and why?
Global solar radiation is measured in several applications for different purposes:
· Solar energy (to determine how efficiently solar panels are converting the sun’s energy into electricity and when the panels need to be cleaned);
· Utilities (to predict gas and electricity energy usage);
· Research (as one parameter to predict or quantify plant growth or production);
· Agriculture, golf and park maintenance (as one parameter to predict plant water usage and to schedule irrigation); and
· Meteorology (as one factor in weather prediction models).
What is a pyranometer and what does it do?
Pyranometer measurement equipment are sensors that convert the global solar radiation they receive into an electrical signal that can be measured. They measure a portion of the solar spectrum and do not actually respond to long-wave radiation. The equipment must also account for the angle of the radiation, which is known as the cosine response.
What is the difference between a pyranometer, net radiometer and pyrheliometer?
These are different solar radiation sensors. A net radiometer measures incoming and outgoing short-wave radiation using two thermopile pyranometers, and it measures incoming and outgoing long-wave radiation using two pyrgeometers. A pyrheliometer consists of a radiation-sensing element enclosed in a casing with a small aperture through which only direct solar rays enter.
How does a pyranometer measure global solar radiation?
The most common types of pyranometer measurement equipment used for this application are thermopiles and silicon photocells. You will need to connect the device to a pre-programmed digital multimeter or datalogger. There are also devices available where short-wave radiation is returned in digital format, which will require either a computer or datalogger to read the serial data string.
We hope that this introductory article has help you to familiarise yourself with pyranometer measurement equipment and what it does. We also hope that you have garnered a better understanding of the type of device that will best meet the needs of your application. Do not hesitate to ask for professional suggestions or advice, as making the wrong choice can be costly.
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