AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-BANGLADESH (AIUB)

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LAB SECTION: A LAB

REPORT NO: 02 GROUP NO: 04

TITLE: Measurement of Global Solar Irradiance using Pyranometer.

Submitted by: Sumaiya Rahman

Group Members Name ID

Sumaiya Rahman 20-42111-1

Kazi Thouhidul Islam Samrat 20-44130-2

S.M. Atik 21-45794-3

Md Jobayed Al- Habib 21-45892-3

Zerin Sakia 21-45786-3

Nahid Hasan 21-45458-3

Submitted To

PROF. DR. NOWSHAD AMIN

PROFESSOR,
Deputy Director [Dr. Anwarul Abedin Institute of Innovation]
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
American International University, Bangladesh
Title: Measurement of Global Solar Irradiance using Pyranometer.

Introduction: We have learned in this test about the worldwide irradiance, its parts, and
different hardware to quantify sun-oriented irradiance. We estimated the worldwide irradiance
with the assistance of Pyranometer and furthermore found out about the estimation cycle
utilizing Pyranometer.

We utilized in this examination Pyranometer to quantify worldwide irradiance. Irradiance is an

estimation of sun-based energy and is characterized on the grounds that the rate at which
sunlight based force falls onto a surface. A few radiation boundaries are needed for the plan,
size, execution assessment, furthermore, an examination of sun-based energy applications. A
scope of instruments quantifies the prompt furthermore, long haul coordinated estimations of
the pillar, extension all out radiation occasions at any given surface. These instruments
ordinarily utilize thermoelectric and photovoltaic impacts to quantify radiation.

Theory and Methodology: Solar heat reaching the Earth's surface is reduced below normal
natural radiation (1383 W / m2) because a substantial portion of its scattered, reflected to space,
and absorbed into the atmosphere. As a result of atmospheric interactions with solar radiation,
some collimated beam becomes scattered or non-directional. A number of this diffused
radiation reached the earth's surface from arches across the sky. This is called diffuse radiation.
Beam radiation is the solar radiation received from the sun without having been scattered by
the atmosphere. Isolation obtained by any surface on earth is that the sum of the scattered
radiation and also the common components of beam radiation. The solar heat at any point on
earth depends on-
1) The thickness of the ionosphere.
2) The distance traveled through the atmosphere to achieve that point.
3) The amount of haze within the air (dust particles, water vapor, etc.)
4) The extent of the overcast.

The earth is surrounded by atmosphere that contains various gaseous constituents, suspended
dust and other minute solid and liquid particulate matter and clouds of various types. As the
solar radiation travels through the earth’s atmosphere, waves of very short length, such as X-
rays and gamma rays, are absorbed in the ionosphere at extremely high altitude. The waves of
relatively longer length, mostly in the ultraviolet range, are then absorbed by the layer of ozone
(O3), located about 15-40 km above the earth’s surface. Therefore, the solar radiation is
depleted during its passage though the atmosphere before reaching the earth’s surface. The
reduction of intensity with increasing zenith angle of the sun is generally assumed to be directly
proportional to the increase in air mass, an assumption that considers the atmosphere to be
unstratified with regard to absorbing or scattering impurities. The air mass is related to the
zenith angle (figure 1), without considering the earth’s curvature, by the equation below 𝑚 =
𝐴𝐵 1
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑
𝐵𝐶
Similarly, the solar radiation outside the earth’s atmosphere is at air mass zero. There are
basically two types of solar radiation measuring instruments: The Pyranometer and the
Pyranometer. The former is used to measure total (beam and diffuse) radiation within its
hemispherical field of view, whereas the latter is an instrument used for measuring the beam
radiation at normal incidence. The pyranometer can also measure the diffuse solar radiation if
the sensing element is shaded from the beam radiation. Diffuse radiation is blocked by
mounting the sensor element at the bottom of a tube pointing directly at the sun. Therefore, a
two-axis sun-tracking system is required to measure the beam radiation.

Figure 2: Photograph of a pyranometer

Finally, sunshine duration is required to estimate the total solar irradiation. The duration of
sunshine is defined as the time during which the sunshine is intense enough to cast a shadow.

Also, the duration of sunshine has been defined by the World Meteorological Organization as
the time during which the beam solar irradiance exceeds the level of 120 W/m2. Two types of
sunshine recorders are used: the focusing type and a type based on the photoelectric effect. The
focusing type consists of a solid glass sphere, approximately 10 cm in diameter, mounted
concentrically in a section of a spherical bowl whose diameter is such that the sun’s rays can
be focused on a special card with time marking, held in place by grooves in the bowl. The
record card is burned whenever bright sunshine exists. Thus, the portion of the burned trace
provides the duration of sunshine for the day. The sunshine recorder based on the photoelectric
effect consists of two photovoltaic cells, with one cell exposed to the beam solar radiation and
the other cell shaded from it by a shading ring. The radiation difference between the two cells
is a measure of the duration of sunshine.

Operating Principle:
A thin absorbing surface is shielded from heat losses and connected to thermocouples. The
surface temperature reached is proportional to the incident flux.

Figure 3: Internal Structure of a Pyranometer

Pyranometers are usually placed flat, where they measure horizontal global irradiance.

I t ,h = I b cos z + I d ,h (ii)
In order to obtain a measure of the diffuse radiation at a site, a shadow-band pyranometer
can be used, which blocks the Sun’s beam to measure only diffuse radiation. This allows
calculation of the beam radiation intensity:
I = I t ,h − I d ,h
b
cos z (iii)

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4: (a) Internal Structure of shadow-band pyranometer (b) Fixed Shadowband (c)
Rotating Shadowband

TO simplify operation of the NIP, an acceptance cone of ~%50 is used for incident radiation.
The NIP will therefore tend to overestimate the value of I b.

Figure 5. (a) Internal structure of pyrheliometer (b) Normalincidence pyrheliometer (NIP)

We know, according to the definitions noted in the ISO 9060, three types of pyranometer can
be recognized and grouped in two different technologies: thermopile technology and silicon
semiconductor technology.
Pyrometers are classified into two types like thermopile pyranometer, photodiode-based
pyranometer
Thermopile pyranometers:

Thermopile pyranometers are frequently used in meteorology, climatology, climate change

research, building engineering physics, photovoltaic systems, and monitoring of photovoltaic
power stations. It is used to measure solar irradiance over the surface of a
planar. It was invented in the year 1893 by physicist & Swedish meteorologist namely
Angstrom & Anders Knutsson.

Pyranometer is used to measure sunlight. Thus, this is all about an overview of pyranometer
which is used to measure solar radiation based on the latest standards. It is classified into two
types based on the ISO 9060 secondary standards like first-class otherwise second class. It
gives analog or digital output and used widely in meteorology, solar energy & PV monitoring.

Figure 6: pyranometer design

They are usually installed horizontally in meteorological stations and typically mounted
in the 'plane of array' (with the sensor surface parallel to the solar panel) when used for
monitoring of photovoltaic systems.

Figure 7: pyranometer and Solar Palen

Photodiode-based Pyranometer:
Photodiode based pyrometer is also known as a silicon pyrometer. This is used to detect the
segment of the solar spectrum between 400 nm & 900 nm. This photodiode changes the
frequencies of the solar spectrum to current at high speed. This change will be influenced
through the temperature with the raise in current, generated by the temperature rise. These types
of pyranometers are executed wherever the amount of irradiation of the noticeable solar
spectrum needs to be measured and it can be done by using diodes with exact spectral
responses. These are used in cinema, lighting technique & photography; sometimes these are
connected closely to photovoltaic system modules
Operating Principle:

Figure 8. Internal Structure of a Pyranometer

Advantages and Disadvantages

The pyranometer advantages and disadvantages are.

• The temperature coefficient is extremely small.
• Standardized to ISO standards.
• Measurements of performance ration & performance index are accurate.
• Response time is longer compared to PV cell
The disadvantage of the pyranometer is, its spectral sensitivity is imperfect, so it does not
observe the complete spectrum of the sun. So errors in measurements can occur.

Pyranometer Applications:

The applications are,

• The solar intensity data can be measured.
• Climatological & Meteorological studies.
• PV systems design.
• Locations of the greenhouse can be established.
• Expecting the requirements of insulation for building structures.

Apparatus:

• Pyranometer
• Ammeter or Clamp meter
• Lux meter
• Voltmeter
• Light Set

Circuit Diagram:

Light Source Lux Meter Pyranometer

Figure 9: Complete experimental setup
Experimental Procedure:

• Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 9.

• Initially keep the light at deem position and measure the light intensity using Lux
meter and output reading of the pyranometer.
• Gradually increases the intensity of the light and measure the corresponding
reading of the pyranometer.
• Record at least five values and fill up the following data table.

Data Table:

Table 1: Light Intensity vs Output reading of Pyranometer

No. Direct Global Defused
1 545 363 245
2
2 561 350 213
3 585 347 200
1.5
4 581 330 219
5 559 315 232
1
6 530 300 228

Result:

Figure 10: Hardware Implementation

Discussion: In this experiment the introductory part helped us to familiarize with pyranometers
and what they do. This experiment also presents a brief overview of the general introduction,
principles, experimental techniques and literature review of solar radiation models and
describes the current trends in solar energy modeling. This study provides a sound and
methodical analysis of the correction of the daytime thermal offset of pyranometers. Eight
influencing factors were considered and a plethora of expressions were built with the aim to
correct the daytime thermal offset of Kipp & Zonen CM11 pyranometers. The dependence on
the individual factors was investigated individually as well as in combination involving several
(two and three) variables. This thorough approach to the thermal offset correction considered
all 223 possible combinations of eight main factors as opposed to previous studies, which
usually analyzed only one or two expressions. Thus, this study presents a complete comparison
of models not previously examined.

References:
[1] American International University-Bangladesh. (n.d.). Renewable Energy Technology
Lab Manual 2. American International University.

[2] Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Air mass. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_mass

[3] Hukseflux Thermal Sensors. (n.d.). What is a pyranometer? Retrieved from

https://www.hukseflux.com/applications/solar-energy-pv-system-performance-
monitoring/what-is-a-pyranometer

[4] Masters, G. M. (2004). Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems. Wiley.

[5] Kalogirou, S. A. (2009). Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems. Academic
Press.