Solar and Infrared Radiation Measurements, Second Edition

Frank Vignola, Joseph Michalsky, Thomas Stoffel

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781351600200
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications
• Index: Technology & Engineering

The rather specialized field of solar and infrared radiation measurements has become increasingly important due to the increased demands by the renewable energy and climate change research communities for data with higher accuracy and increased temporal and spatial resolutions. Recent advances in radiometry, measurement systems, and information dissemination also have increased the need for refreshing the literature available for this topic.

This book provides the reader with an up-to-date review of the important aspects of solar and infrared radiation measurements: radiometer design; equipment installation, operation, maintenance, and calibration; data quality assessment parameters; and the knowledge necessary to properly interpret and apply the measured data to a variety of topics. Each of the authors has more than 40 years of experience with this subject, primarily as the result of developing and operating multiple measurement stations, working with the industry to improve radiometry, and conducting various research projects.

The book's scope and subject matter have been designed to help a wide audience gain a general understanding of this subject and to serve as a technical reference. A student new to the field will benefit from the review of terminology and the historical perspective for radiometry before addressing more detailed topics in radiometry that we hope will be of interest to the more experienced reader.

Describes the strengths and weaknesses of irradiance instruments

Provides detailed information on how to assess uncertainty in measurements

Offers comprehensive background information needed to understand the use of solar instrumentation

Discusses design concepts for shadowband radiometers, sky imagers, and satellite-based estimates of solar irradiance at the Earth's surface

Includes chapter-end questions, references, and useful links

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Preface to the Second Edition
• Preface to the First Edition
• Acknowledgments
• Authors
• Chapter 1 Measuring Solar and Infrared Radiation
• Chapter 2 Definitions and Terminology
• Chapter 3 Historic Milestones in Solar and Infrared Radiation Measurement
• Chapter 4 Direct Normal Irradiance
• Chapter 5 Broadband Global Irradiance
• Chapter 6 Diffuse Irradiance
• Chapter 7 Solar Spectral Measurements
• Chapter 8 Albedo
• Chapter 9 Measuring Solar Radiation on a Tilted Surface
• Chapter 10 Shadowband Radiometers
• Chapter 11 Infrared Measurements
• Chapter 12 Net Radiation Measurements
• Chapter 13 Radiometer Calibrations
• Chapter 14 Ancillary Measurements
• Chapter 15 Solar Monitoring Station Best Practices
• Chapter 16 Solar Radiation Estimates Derived from Satellite Images and Auxiliary Measurements
• Appendix A: Measurement Uncertainty Principles
• Appendix B: Modeling Solar Radiation
• Appendix C: Sunshine Duration
• Appendix D: Sun Path Charts
• Appendix E: Solar Position Algorithms
• Appendix F: Useful Conversion Factors
• Appendix G: Sources for Equipment
• Appendix H: BORCAL Report
• Appendix I: Failure Modes
• Appendix J: How to Build a Pyranometer with a Solar Cell or Photodiode
• Appendix K: Content Required for a Comprehensive Datafile
• Appendix L: Solar Radiation Databases
• Answers to Chapter Questions
• Index