Recent Progress in Reducing the Uncertainty in and Improving Pyranometer Calibrations

Daryl R. Myers, Thomas L. Stoffel, Ibrahim Reda, Stephen M. Wilcox, Afshin M. Andreas

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

1 Scopus Citations

Abstract

The Measurements and Instrumentation Team within the Distributed Energy Resources Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL, calibrates pyranometers for outdoor testing solar energy conversion systems. The team also supports climate change research programs. These activities led NREL to improve pyranometer calibrations. Low thermal-offset radiometers measuring the sky diffuse component of the reference solar irradiance removes bias errors on the order of 20 Watts per square meter (W/m2) in the calibration reference irradiance. Zenith angle dependent corrections to responsivities of pyranometers removes 15 to 30 W/m2 bias errors from field measurements. Detailed uncertainty analysis of our outdoor calibration process shows a 20% reduction in the uncertainty in the responsivity of pyranometers. These improvements affect photovoltaic module and array performance characterization, assessment of solar resources for design, sizing, and deployment of solar renewable energy systems, and ground-based validation of satellite-derived solar radiation fluxes.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages209-216
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Event2001 International Solar Energy Conference, a Part of Forum 2001, Solar Energy: The Power to Choose - Washington, DC, United States
Duration: 21 Apr 200125 Apr 2001

Conference

Conference2001 International Solar Energy Conference, a Part of Forum 2001, Solar Energy: The Power to Choose
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington, DC
Period21/04/0125/04/01

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-550-32967

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