IMPROVING THE ACCURACY OF LOW COST MEASUREMENT OF DIRECT NORMAL SOLAR IRRADIANCE

摘要

The accuracy and reliability of direct beam solar irradiance data and measurements are of great importance in the development of concentrating solar power technologies. Confirmation of site-specific irradiance levels and seasonal and diurnal patterns with on-site measurements is often required during the process of developing project plans and financing arrangements. The high cost of such measurements with typical high quality thermopile irradiance measurement is often a serious impediment to deployment. This effort is an attempt to improve the accuracy of a lower cost direct beam measurement system. This paper describes the approach and elements of the correction to be developed. As of the date of submission of this paper however, only interim correction algorithms are available. Final correction algorithms will be published once additional data collection and refinement is complete in approximately one year.