Description
Specifications
| Function | forming a diffusometer when combined with a pyranometer |
|---|---|
| Diffusometer measurand | diffuse solar radiation in W/m² |
| Instrument compatibility | SR30, SR15 pyranometers (recommended), SR25, SR22, SR20 pyranometers (with optional mounting adapter) |
| Diffusometer zero offset a | with SR20: 5 W/m² |
| Use with heating | with SR30 and SR25 |
| Use with ventilation | with SR30 |
| Ring inner diameter | 476 x 10⁻³ m |
| Ring profile | U-profile |
| Weight | 3.75 kg |
| Ring width/radius ratio | -40 to +80 °C |
| Field of view angle | 10.6 ° |
| Material | anodized aluminum |
| Rated operating temperature range | -40 to +80 °C |
| Pyranometer tilt angle range | -90 to 90 ° |
| Bubble level | included |
| Leveling screws | included |
| Required adjustment interval | according to adjustment table |
| Application of correction factors | user responsibility |
| Options | mounting adapter for SR20, SR22 and SR25 |
Overview
SHR02 is a practical metal shadow ring that helps making diffuse solar irradiance measurements with pyranometers. The shadow ring, also known as a shadow band, prevents direct radiation from reaching the pyranometer. The combination of a shadow ring and a pyranometer is called a diffusometer by the ISO 9060:2018 standard. The compact SHR02, combined with a Hukseflux pyranometer, has several advantages over competing models.
SHR02 is compatible with most Hukseflux pyranometers. Hukseflux pyranometers have very low zero offsets, so that the diffuse radiation measurement has a better uncertainty than that of competing pyranometer-shadow ring diffusometers. To avoid problems with dew and frost deposition, the user should consider using the heated SR25 or the heated and ventilated SR30 pyranometer.
A diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) measurement with a pyranometer-shadow ring diffusometer is usually combined with a pyranometer-without a shadow ring. The latter measures the global horizontal irradiance (GHI). Combining GHI and DHI with local solar position, the direct normal irradiance (DNI) can be estimated. Most shadow rings are used with the pyranometer mounted horizontally. The incorporated tilt adjustment stage enables the diffuse irradiance to be measured in a tilted plane. The height of the ring is adjusted manually by adjusting the sliding bars to correct for the changing altitude of the sun.
The altitude of the sun varies throughout the year and this influences the shadow cast by the shadow ring. Aside from adjusting the shadow ring on a regular basis to compensate for this, it should be taken into account that part of the diffuse radiation obscured by the shadow ring will change. Hukseflux provides a specifically tuned model that will aid the user in setting up the SHR02 without the need for in-depth knowledge of diffusometers. In the SHR02 manual a set-up table with required correction factors for the measured diffuse radiation is provided, for a range of latitudes and declinations. The manual also provides theory for creating individual models when higher accuracy is required.
Using SHR02 has Several Advantages:
- Relatively small size / light weight
- Low-investment alternative for a sun tracker with shading-disc
- High accuracy when used with Hukseflux (low zero-offset) pyranometers
- Save costs on expensive external ventilation; compatible with SR30 with internal ventilation
Compatible pyranometers are SR15 series and SR30-D1. With the optional mounting adapter also models SR20, SR20-D2, SR22 and SR25 can be combined with SHR02 to form a diffusometer. A pyranometer is not included in SHR02 delivery.
Suggested Use
- meteorological observations
- building energy performance
- solar energy studies
Areas of Application
- Meteorology / surface energy flux measurement
- Solar energy / PV system performance monitoring
Frequently asked questions
How does a pyranometer work?
A pyranometer measures the solar radiation received by a plane surface from a 180 ° field of view angle. This quantity, expressed in W/m², is called “hemispherical” solar radiation. The solar radiation spectrum extends roughly from 285 to 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m. By definition a pyranometer should cover that spectral range with a spectral selectivity that is as “flat” as possible.
In an irradiance measurement by definition the response to “beam” radiation varies with the cosine of the angle of incidence; i.e. it should have full response when the solar radiation hits the sensor perpendicularly (normal to the surface, sun at zenith, 0 ° angle of incidence), zero response when the sun is at the horizon (90 ° angle of incidence, 90 ° zenith angle), and 50 % of full response at 60 ° angle of incidence. A pyranometer should have a so-called “directional response” (older documents mention “cosine response”) that is as close as possible to the ideal cosine characteristic.
In order to attain the proper directional and spectral characteristics, a pyranometer’s main components are:
• a thermal sensor with black coating. It has a flat spectrum covering the 200 to 50000 x 10⁻⁹ m range, and has a near-perfect directional response. The coating absorbs all solar radiation and, at the moment of absorption, converts it to heat. The heat flows through the sensor to the sensor body. The thermopile sensor generates a voltage output signal that is proportional to the solar irradiance.
• a glass dome. This dome limits the spectral range from 285 to 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m (cutting off the part above 3000 x 10⁻⁹ m), while preserving the 180 ° field of view angle. Another function of the dome is that it shields the thermopile sensor from the environment (convection, rain).
• a second (inner) glass dome: For secondary standard and first class pyranometers, two domes are used, and not one single dome. This construction provides an additional “radiation shield”, resulting in a better thermal equilibrium between the sensor and inner dome, compared to using a single dome. The effect of having a second dome is a strong reduction of instrument offsets.
• a heater: in order to reduce the effect of dew deposition and frost on the outer dome surface, most advanced pyranometers have a built-in heater. The heater is coupled to the sensor body. Heating a pyranometer can generate additional irradiance offset signals, therefore it is recommended to activate the heater only during night-time. Combining a heater with external ventilation makes these heating offsets very low.
Why use a pyranometer?
There are good reasons why pyranometers are the standard for solar radiation measurement in outdoor PV system performance monitoring.
The purpose of outdoor PV testing is to compare the available resource to system output and thus to determine efficiency. The efficiency estimate serves as an indication of overall performance and stability. It also serves as a reference for remote diagnostics and need for servicing.
The irradiance measurement for outdoor PV performance monitoring is usually carried out with pyranometers. Some standards suggest using PV reference cells. Reference cells are (with some minor exceptions) unsuitable for proof in bankability and in proof of PV system efficiency. Pyranometers are and will remain the standard for outdoor solar energy monitoring.
From a fundamental point of view:
- Pyranometers measure truly available solar irradiance (so the amount of available resource). This is the parameter you need to have for a true efficiency calculation.
- Reference cells measure only that part of solar radiation that can be used by cells of identical material and identical packaging (flat window), so the yield of a certain PV cell type. This is not a measurement that can be used in an efficiency calculation and in fact leads to several percentage points error in efficiency estimates.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and ASTM standards for PV monitoring recommend pyranometers for outdoor PV monitoring. PV reference cells do not meet IEC 61724-1 class A requirements for irradiance measurement uncertainty: their directional response makes them systematically overestimate daily radiant exposure in J/m2 (or W·hr/m2 ) by more than 2 %, larger on hourly basis.
How do I choose a pyranometer?
Choosing the right pyranometer for your application is not an easy task. We can offer assistance. But first, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- are there standards for my application?
- what level of accuracy do I need?
- what will be the instrument maintenance level?
- what are the interfacing possibilities?
When discussing with Hukseflux, our recommendation for the best suited pyranometer will be based on:
- recommended pyranometer class
- recommended maintenance level
- estimate of the measurement accuracy
- recommended calibration policy
- recommended interface
Pyranometers can be manufactured to different specifications and with different levels of verification and characterisation during production. The ISO 9060 – 1990 standard, “Solar energy – specification and classification of instruments for measuring hemispherical solar and direct solar radiation”, distinguishes between 3 classes; secondary standard (highest accuracy), first class (second highest accuracy) and second class (third highest accuracy). From second class to first class and from first class to secondary standard, the achievable accuracy improves by a factor 2.
The ISO 9060 – 1990 standard is up for revision. The new 2018 version of the standard will be slightly different from the 1990 version. The new version of ISO 9060 includes three instrument accuracy classes A, B and C, and a special extension of every class “Spectrally Flat”, which is recommended for Plane of Array (POA), albedo, and reflected solar measurements.
Our pyranometer selection guide offers practical guidelines for choosing a pyranometer. The application of pyranometers in PV system performance monitoring according to IEC 61724-1 is highlighted as an example. Sensors specific for diffuse radiation and meteorological networks are also addressed in this selection guide.
What is the difference between a pyrheliometer and a pyranometer?
A pyranometer measures hemispherical solar radiation. When measuring in the horizontal plane this is called Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI). When measuring in “plane of array”, next to PV panels, this is called plane of array POA irradiance.
A pyrheliometer is used to measure Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI). DNI is defined as the solar radiant flux collected by a plane unit surface normal to the axis pointing towards the centre of the sun, within an optical angular aperture. DNI is composed of the solar irradiance within the extent of the solar disk (half-angle 0.266 ° ± 1.7 %) plus some circumsolar radiation.
