IR20 & IR20WS

IR20 is a research grade pyrgeometer suitable for high-accuracy longwave irradiance measurement in meteorological applications. Thanks to Hukseflux’  technological innovation, IR20 is offered at a significantly lower price level than competing models of the same performance level. IR20 is capable of measuring during both day and night. In absence of solar radiation, model IR20WS offers even better accuracy because of its wider spectral range.

  • Breakthrough pricing for a pyrgeometer
  • Correction of temperature dependence by use of the measurement function
  • High sensitivity
  • Fast response time (3 s)
  • On-board heater

Description

IR20 hukseflux pyrgeometer 1webv1302IR20 and IR20WS Research Grade Pyrgeometers
IR20 measures the longwave or far-infra-red radiation received by a plane surface, in W/m², from a 180° field of view angle. In meteorological terms pyrgeometers are used to measure “downward and upward longwave irradiance” (WMO definition). Longwave radiation is the part of radiation that is not emitted by the sun. The spectral range of longwave radiation is not standardised. A practical cut-on is in the range of 4 to 5 x 10⁻⁶ m. IR20 has a dome with a solar blind filter with a cut-on at 4.5 x 10⁻⁶ m, making it suitable for day- and night observations. Model IR20WS has a wide spectral range with a cut-on at 1.0 x 10⁻⁶ m. It offers a superior accuracy under conditions during night-time, when solar radiation is absent.

IR20 pyrgeometer 2webv1301

IR20 Pyrgeometer benefits

  • Breakthrough pricing for a pyrgeometer of this performance level as a result of Hukseflux’ technological innovation.
  • Correction of temperature dependence by use of the measurement function. This is far more accurate than temperature compensation in the instrument, especially at very low and high temperatures. Every pyrgeometer is supplied with temperature coefficients to enter into the equation.
  • High sensitivity. With sufficient input signal a typical datalogger no longer significantly contributes to the uncertainty of the measurement.
  • Low thermal-resistance of the sensor. Competing designs need a significant correction for the difference in temperature between pyrgeometer body and sensor surface. For IR20 this is not needed.
  • Fast response time (3 s). A low response time is a benefit for measurements on moving platforms such as aircraft and buoys.
  • On-board heater. Heating prevents condensation of water on the pyrgeometer dome which, when occurring, leads to very large measurement errors.
  • Instrument cut-on wavelength (5 %) and the two 50 % transmission points are displayed on the product certificate for individual sensors.

Suggested Use

  • climatological networks
  • extreme climates (polar / tropical)
  • moving platforms (aircraft, buoys)
  • uncertainty assessment (IR20 + IR20WS)
  • calibration reference (IR20WS)

Areas of Application

  • Meteorology / surface energy flux measurement

Accessories

  • VU01
  • PMF01
  • CMF01

Specifications

Measurand longwave radiation
Optional measurand sky temperature, surface temperature
Sensitivity (nominal) 17 x 10⁻⁶ V/(W/m²)
Spectral range IR20 4.5 to 40 x 10⁻⁶ m (nominal)
Spectral range IR20WS 1.0 to 50 x 10⁻⁶ m
IR20WS restrictions for use only in the absence of solar radiation
Field of view angle 180 °
Response time (95 %) 3 s
Rated operating temperature range -40 to +80 °C
Temperature dependence < ± 0.4 % (-30 to +50 °C)
Calibration traceability to WISG
Optional traceability to blackbody (ITS-90)
Temperature sensor 10 kΩ thermistor
Heater 12 VDC, 1.5 W
Standard cable length 5 m
Options • Longer cable, in multiples of 5 metres
• Blackbody calibration (ITS-90)
• VU01 ventilation unit is designed for use with IR20 / IR20WS pyrgeometer

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.