Improved accuracy for low-cost solar irradiance sensors

King, David L.; Boyson, W.E.; Hansen, B.R.

doi:10.2172/661542

Cited by 33 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…They cite factors that require corrections to the apparent calibration including sensor temperature, the absolute air mass (AM a ), and angle of incidence (AOI). King et al (1998) demonstrated that by applying corrections, SiPs can provide accuracies of ± 3%, whereas instantaneous measurements without corrections can differ by as much as 15%. Solar spectra at sunrise or sunset have a higher percentage of longer wavelength irradiance than spectra at midday.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the calibration of silicon photodiode pyranometers

Walter‐Shea

Hubbard

Mesarch

et al. 2018

Meteorol Atmos Phys

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Reliable measurements of global irradiance are essential for research and practical applications. Silicon photodiode pyranometers (SiPs) offer low-cost sensors to measure direct and diffuse irradiance despite their non-uniform spectral response over the 300-1000 nm spectral range. In this study, non-adjusted linear and adjusted calibrations were applied at different times of the year to determine sources of estimated errors in global irradiance due to the two calibration approaches, calibration time, and sensor age. 16 SiPs, along with two standards, measured incident global irradiance over a 5-year period under a range of sky conditions. Sensors performed best in the months in which they were calibrated when using the linear calibration approach. With the solar zenith angle adjusted calibration approach, certain calibration months provide a defendable validation for the following 12 months [ranging an average of 13.5-17.4 W m −2 standard error (SE)], while other calibration months do not provide consistent results and sometimes result in very poor validation (31.1-242.7 W m −2 SE). Older sensors (greater than 6 years) in general become more sensitive to solar zenith angle and their response drifts over time, while newer SiPs performed better than older sensors. Calibrations which accounted for solar zenith angle effects improved global irradiance estimates for older SiPs. For the Lincoln NE location, the appropriate calibration is in spring or late summer, regardless of calibration approach. These results indicate that solar zenith angle correction is not needed for largely diffuse components under cloudy conditions, so that in the future, a "smart" calibration may be possible, where diffuse radiation fractions are known. digitalcommons.unl.edu W a l t e r -S h e a i n M e t e o r o l o g y a n d A t m o s p h e r i c P h y s i c s( 2 0 1 8 ) 2

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the calibration of silicon photodiode pyranometers

Walter‐Shea

Hubbard

Mesarch

et al. 2018

Meteorol Atmos Phys

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“…The typical effects of solar spectrum and angle-of-incidence on module performance were previously illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The influence of these factors on the response of different pyranometers is documented elsewhere [23]. Figure 9 illustrates measured values for array I sc translated to a common temperature and plotted as a function of plane-of-array solar irradiance, as measured by two different pyranometers.…”

Section: Array Performance Examplementioning

confidence: 97%

“…The influence of solar angle-of-incidence on the response of these pyranometers does not match that of flat-plate modules; therefore, these pyranometers should not be considered an acceptable substitute for a 'matching reference module.' Procedures for improving the accuracy of these inexpensive devices have been documented elsewhere [22,23], but even with these corrections, errors of 5 to 10% in array performance measurements are not uncommon.…”

Section: Simplified Approach Using a Single Solar Irradiance Sensormentioning

confidence: 99%

Photovoltaic array performance model.

Kratochvil¹,

Boyson²,

King³

2004

540

144

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This document summarizes the equations and applications associated with the photovoltaic array performance model developed at Sandia National Laboratories over the last twelve years. Electrical, thermal, and optical characteristics for photovoltaic modules are included in the model, and the model is designed to use hourly solar resource and meteorological data. The versatility and accuracy of the model has been validated for flat-plate modules (all technologies) and for concentrator modules, as well as for large arrays of modules. Applications include system design and sizing, 'translation' of field performance measurements to standard reporting conditions, system performance optimization, and real-time comparison of measured versus expected system performance. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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“…This radiation sensor delivers an electric current Ip (mA) In addition, changes in external conditions (solar radiation, ambient temperature, and relative humidity) affect the temperature and in turn, temperature changes influence both the signal processing circuit and solar cell parameters [57] and, thus, reduce the accuracy of the irradiation measurement [58]. The most important factor is temperature dependence [47] and, therefore, the thermal effects must be considered when selecting and testing the components used for the device, due to outdoor use of the sensor. Proper calibration should take into account not only the response of the cell (electric current) but also its temperature for different values of incident radiation and atmospheric conditions.…”

Section: Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, the main objective of this paper is the development, modeling and experimental validation of low cost irradiation sensors in order to reduce the costs of dynamic external shading devices and to improve the profitability of the system. The most important factor when using photodetectors (solar cells) to estimate solar radiation is temperature dependence [47].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Low-Cost Radiation Sensor Based on the Photovoltaic Effect for Building Applications

et al. 2016

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Abstract:The energy consumed to cool buildings is very elevated and solar gains represent a high percentage of these cooling loads. To minimize the thermal load it is necessary to control external shading systems. This control requires continuous measurement of solar radiation in different locations of the building. However, for such applications the use of conventional irradiance sensors increases the cost and reduces the profitability of the installation. This paper is focused on the development, modeling, and experimental validation of low cost irradiation sensors based on photovoltaic effect in order to reduce the costs of dynamic external shading devices and to improve the profitability of the system. With this proposal, firstly, small commercial photovoltaic cells have been adapted for use as an irradiation measurement device. Subsequently, quasi-stationary and continuous experimental measurements of these silicon cells, facing south and installed horizontally, have been carried out in Jaén (Spain) in 2009 and 2010. Finally, a nonlinear multiparameter function has been developed to evaluate the irradiance using the electric current generated by the cell, cell temperature, ambient temperature, and absolute humidity. A favorable agreement between the model predictions and experimental data has been observed with a coefficient of determination around 0.996 for all cells.

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Improved accuracy for low-cost solar irradiance sensors

Cited by 33 publications

References 2 publications

Improving the calibration of silicon photodiode pyranometers

Improving the calibration of silicon photodiode pyranometers

Photovoltaic array performance model.

Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Low-Cost Radiation Sensor Based on the Photovoltaic Effect for Building Applications

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