Apogee - Model Silicon-cell Pyranometer -Accurate and Stable Global Shortwave Radiation Measurement

Apogee offers silicon-cell and thermopile pyranometers that are both rated ISO 9060:2018 Class C. Our popular silicon-cell models are less expensive and have a faster response time, but can have errors under cloudy conditions. Our thermopile pyranometers feature a unique, costeffective design with an inexpensive diffuser and blackbody thermopile detector that provides a broader and more uniform spectral response for better performance in all atmospheric conditions.

Long-term non-stability determined from multiple replicate pyranometers in accelerated aging tests and field conditions is less than 2 % per year.

An accurate, cosine-corrected patented design sheds water and dirt for a self-cleaning performance. A heated option is available with a 0.2 W heater to minimize errors caused by dew, frost, or snow.

• Solar panel arrays
• Agricultural, ecological, and hydrological weather networks

Apogee SP series pyranometers are calibrated through side-by-side comparison to the mean of four transfer standard sensors under a reference lamp. The reference sensors are recalibrated under sunlight in Logan, UT traceable to the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) in Davos, Switzerland.

• 0 to 114 mV
• Modbus
• Downward sensor available for measuring shortwave reflectance, or combine with an upward head to measure albedo (see SP-710-SS albedometer package)

ISO 9060:2018

• Class C

Power Supply

• SP-110-SS: Self-powered
• SP-212-SS: 5 to 24 V DC
• SP-214-SS: 7 to 24 V DC
• SP-215-SS: 5.5 to 24 V DC
• SP-230-SS: 12 V DC for heater 
• SP-420: 5 V USB
• SP-421-SS: 5.5 T0 24 V DC
• SP-422-SS: 5.5 T0 24 V DC

Current Draw

• SP-110-SS: -
• SP-212-SS: 300 μA
• SP-214-SS: 22 mA maximum, 2 mA quiescent
• SP-215-SS: 300 μA
• SP-230-SS: 15.4 mA
• SP-420: 61 mA when logging
• SP-421-SS: 1.5 mA (quiescent); 1.9 mA (active)
• SP-422-SS: RS-232 37 mA; RS485 quiescent 37 mA, active 42 mA

Output (sensitivity)

• SP-110-SS: 0.2 mV per W m⁻²
• SP-212-SS: 1.25 mV per W m⁻²
• SP-214-SS: 0.008 mA per W m⁻²
• SP-215-SS: 2.5 mV per W m⁻²
• SP-230-SS: 0.2 mV per W m⁻²
• SP-420: USB
• SP-421-SS: SDI-12
• SP-422-SS: Modbus

Calibration Factor (reciprocal of output)

• SP-110-SS: 5 W m⁻² per mV
• SP-212-SS: 0.8 W m⁻² per mV
• SP-214-SS: 125 W m⁻² per mA, 4 mA offset
• SP-215-SS: 0.4 W m⁻² per mV
• SP-230-SS: 5 W m⁻² per mV
• SP-420: Custom for each sensor and stored in firmware
• SP-421-SS: Custom for each sensor and stored in firmware
• SP-422-SS: Custom for each sensor and stored in firmware

Calibration Uncertainty at 1000 W m

• Less than 3 %

Measurement Repeatability

• Less than 1 %

Long-term Drif

• Less than 2 % per year

Non-linearity

• Less than 1 % up to 2000 W m⁻²

Response Time

• SP-110-SS: Less than 1 ms
• SP-212-SS: Less than 1 ms
• SP-214-SS: Less than 1 ms
• SP-215-SS: Less than 1 ms
• SP-230-SS: Less than 1 ms
• SP-420: Software updates every second
• SP-421-SS: Less than 0.6 s
• SP-422-SS: Less than 200 ms

Field of View

• 180°

Spectral Range

• 360 to 1120 nm

Directional (Cosine) Response

• ± 5 % at 75° zenith angle

Temperature Response

• 0.04 ± 0.04 % per C

Operating Environment

• -40 to 70 C; 0 to 100 % relative humidity; can be submerged in water up to 30 m

Dimensions

• SP-110-SS: 24 mm diameter, 33 mm height
• SP-212-SS: 30.5 mm diameter, 37 mm height
• SP-214-SS: 30.5 mm diameter, 37 mm height
• SP-215-SS: 30.5 mm diameter, 37 mm height
• SP-230-SS: 30.5 mm diameter, 37 mm height
• SP-420: 24 mm diameter, 33 mm height
• SP-421-SS: 30.5 mm diameter, 37 mm height
• SP-422-SS: 30.5 mm diameter, 37 mm height

Mass (with 5 m of cable)

• SP-110-SS: 90 g
• SP-212-SS: 140 g
• SP-214-SS: 140 g
• SP-215-SS: 140 g
• SP-230-SS: 90 g
• SP-420: 90 g
• SP-421-SS:140 g
• SP-422-SS:140 g

Cable

• 5 m of shielded, twisted-pair wire; TPR jacket (high water resistance, high UV stability, flexibility in cold conditions); pigtail lead wires

Warranty

• 4 years against defects in materials and workmanship