A pyranometer measures the solar radiation received by a plane surface from a 180 ° field of view angle. This quantity, expressed in W/m², is called “hemispherical” solar radiation. The solar radiation spectrum extends roughly from 285 to 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m. By definition a pyranometer should cover that spectral range with a spectral selectivity that is as “flat” as possible.
In an irradiance measurement by definition the response to “beam” radiation varies with the cosine of the angle of incidence; i.e. it should have full response when the solar radiation hits the sensor perpendicularly (normal to the surface, sun at zenith, 0 ° angle of incidence), zero response when the sun is at the horizon (90 ° angle of incidence, 90 ° zenith angle), and 50 % of full response at 60 ° angle of incidence. A pyranometer should have a so-called “directional response” (older documents mention “cosine response”) that is as close as possible to the ideal cosine characteristic.
In order to attain the proper directional and spectral characteristics, a pyranometer's main components are:
• a thermal sensor with black coating. It has a flat spectrum covering the 200 to 50000 x 10⁻⁹ m range, and has a near-perfect directional response. The coating absorbs all solar radiation and, at the moment of absorption, converts it to heat. The heat flows through the sensor to the sensor body. The thermopile sensor generates a voltage output signal that is proportional to the solar irradiance.
• a glass dome. This dome limits the spectral range from 285 to 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m (cutting off the part above 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m), while preserving the 180 ° field of view angle. Another function of the dome is that it shields the thermopile sensor from the environment (convection, rain).
• a second (inner) glass dome: For secondary standard and first class pyranometers, two domes are used, and not one single dome. This construction provides an additional "radiation shield", resulting in a better thermal equilibrium between the sensor and inner dome, compared to using a single dome. The effect of having a second dome is a strong reduction of instrument offsets.
• a heater: in order to reduce the effect of dew deposition and frost on the outer dome surface, most advanced pyranometers have a built-in heater. The heater is coupled to the sensor body. Heating a pyranometer can generate additional irradiance offset signals, therefore it is recommended to activate the heater only during night-time. Combining a heater with external ventilation makes these heating offsets very low.
There are good reasons why pyranometers are the standard for solar radiation measurement in outdoor PV system performance monitoring.
The purpose of outdoor PV testing is to compare the available resource to system output and thus to determine efficiency. The efficiency estimate serves as an indication of overall performance and stability. It also serves as a reference for remote diagnostics and need for servicing.
The irradiance measurement for outdoor PV performance monitoring is usually carried out with pyranometers. Some standards suggest using PV reference cells. Reference cells are (with some minor exceptions) unsuitable for proof in bankability and in proof of PV system efficiency. Pyranometers are and will remain the standard for outdoor solar energy monitoring.
From a fundamental point of view:
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and ASTM standards for PV monitoring recommend pyranometers for outdoor PV monitoring. PV reference cells do not meet IEC 61724-1 class A requirements for irradiance measurement uncertainty: their directional response makes them systematically overestimate daily radiant exposure in J/m2 (or W·hr/m2 ) by more than 2 %, larger on hourly basis.
Choosing the right pyranometer for your application is not an easy task. We can offer assistance. But first, you should ask yourself the following questions:
When discussing with Hukseflux, our recommendation for the best suited pyranometer will be based on:
Pyranometers can be manufactured to different specifications and with different levels of verification and characterisation during production. The ISO 9060 - 1990 standard, “Solar energy - specification and classification of instruments for measuring hemispherical solar and direct solar radiation”, distinguishes between 3 classes; secondary standard (highest accuracy), first class (second highest accuracy) and second class (third highest accuracy). From second class to first class and from first class to secondary standard, the achievable accuracy improves by a factor 2.
The ISO 9060 - 1990 standard is up for revision. The new 2018 version of the standard will be slightly different from the 1990 version. The new version of ISO 9060 includes three instrument accuracy classes A, B and C, and a special extension of every class “Spectrally Flat”, which is recommended for Plane of Array (POA), albedo, and reflected solar measurements.
Our pyranometer selection guide offers practical guidelines for choosing a pyranometer. The application of pyranometers in PV system performance monitoring according to IEC 61724-1 is highlighted as an example. Sensors specific for diffuse radiation and meteorological networks are also addressed in this selection guide.
A pyranometer measures hemispherical solar radiation. When measuring in the horizontal plane this is called Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI). When measuring in “plane of array”, next to PV panels, this is called plane of array POA irradiance.
A pyrheliometer is used to measure Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI). DNI is defined as the solar radiant flux collected by a plane unit surface normal to the axis pointing towards the centre of the sun, within an optical angular aperture. DNI is composed of the solar irradiance within the extent of the solar disk (half-angle 0.266 ° ± 1.7 %) plus some circumsolar radiation.
So you want to measure solar radiation? You are not alone. People have been measuring the energy coming from the sun for centuries, and today more people are measuring solar radiation than ever before.
As with any measurement, start by asking yourself what it is that you want to measure. The term ‘solar radiation’ is used in many different applications, with slightly different meanings.
Solar radiation is often defined as the energy reaching the earth from the sun. A large part of this is visible sunlight, but the solar spectrum extends into the UV as well as the near infra-red. It reaches us in different ways: directly from the sun (direct solar radiation), through scattering through the atmosphere (diffuse solar radiation) or via reflections. These quantities can be measured separately, but most of the times people are interested in the total radiation on the surface: the global horizontal irradiance (GHI). In solar monitoring of PV power plants, both the global horizontal irradiance as well as the irradiance in the plane of your panels is required. This is called tilted solar radiation, or ‘plane of array (POA)’ irradiance. In energy balance studies, multiple pyranometers are combined to measure both the incoming and reflected solar radiation. This can be combined with separate measurements of net longwave radiation and other fluxes.
We have publicised a note walking you through the solar radiation measurement process, from choosing an instrument to getting your data in. We discuss site selection, instrument mounting and datalogger setup. To ensure your solar radiation data remains reliable for years, we also cover quality control and maintenance. Read the note.
The product warranty is 5 years for pyranometers, pyrgeometers, albedometers, net radiometers and pyrheliometers.
Hukseflux has the following warranty and liability policy: Hukseflux guarantees the supplied goods to be new, free from defects and free from faults that are clearly related to production and manufacturing. Factory warranty (granting free of charge repair) for defects that are clearly traceable to errors in production is 5 years. Delivery of goods is subject to Hukseflux General Conditions of Sale.
Looking for a short introduction to solar radiation measurement? This video is it. It offers the latest insights in how to measure solar radiation, for both meteorology and PV monitoring. It also provides guidance concerning what instrument to use for your measurement and which accuracy class to choose.
Hukseflux’ focus on technological innovation and customer support made it the fastest grower in the solar radiation sensor market. We now rank among the leaders, both in market share and product performance. We manufacture thousands of ISO classified pyranometers every year. Hukseflux supplies pyranometers with the highest accuracy in every class at the most attractive price level, supported by a worldwide network of calibration facilities. Each Hukseflux pyranometer is classified as ISO 9060:2018 spectrally flat Class A, B, or C, and offers unique features and benefits, such as Recirculating Ventilation and Heating. Our customers are active in the following fields: solar energy, photovoltaic (PV) industry, meteorology and climatology. Consult our pyranometer selection guide for choosing the best sensor for your application, or contact us directly. Product warranty is five years for Hukseflux pyranometers. Delivery of goods is subject to Hukseflux General Conditions of Sale.
Interested in the new standards for pyranometers and PV monitoring systems? Read our notes on the new ISO 9060:2018 and IEC 61724-1:2017 requirements for pyranometers.
Cannot find what you are looking for? Or would you like assistance in selecting a sensor? Please contact us.
