Spectral Solar Radiation Data Base Documentation, Vol. I

Table of Contents

List of Tables

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) cooperated to produce a spectral solar radiation data base representing a range of atmospheric conditions (or climates) that is applicable to several different types of solar collectors. These data will help to characterize the natural variability in the spectral (color) content of outdoor solar radiation so that the sensitivity of spectrally selective solar devices (such as photovoltaics, "smart" windows, and biomass) to these variations can be studied quantitatively.

This report documents the history, approach, content, and format of the data base to make it useful to the scientific community. A second volume of this report contains graphs of each of the spectral solar radiation curves and associated field notes. The data are available on magnetic tape in ASCII format and consist of broadband1 and spectral2 solar radiation and meteorological measurements, daily field notes, quality control information, and measurement uncertainty. Questions about the data base should be directed to SERI, Solar Electric Research Division, Resource Assessment and Instrumentation Branch in Golden, Colorado.

1 Broadband: integrated solar radiation, 0.3 to 3 µm.

2 Spectral: solar radiation as a function of wavelength, 0.3 to 1.1 µm, at 0.002 µm intervals.

NOTE:
In September of 1991, the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) became the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

2.0 History

Table of Contents

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