%0 Journal Article
%T A New and Inexpensive Pyranometer for the Visible Spectral Range
%A Miguel A. Mart¨ªnez
%A Jos¨¦ M. And¨²jar
%A Juan M. Enrique
%J Sensors
%D 2009
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/s90604615
%X This paper presents the design, construction and testing of a new photodiode-based pyranometer for the visible spectral range (approx. 400 to 750 nm), whose principal characteristics are: accuracy, ease of connection, immunity to noise, remote programming and operation, interior temperature regulation, cosine error minimisation and all this at a very low cost, tens of times lower than that of commercial thermopile-based devices. This new photodiode-based pyranometer overcomes traditional problems in this type of device and offers similar characteristics to those of thermopile-based pyranometers and, therefore, can be used in any installation where reliable measurement of solar irradiance is necessary, especially in those where cost is a deciding factor in the choice of a meter. This new pyranometer has been registered in the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office under the number P200703162.
%K calibration
%K data acquisition
%K photodiode
%K pyranometer
%K solar irradiance
%K thermopile
%K visible spectral range
%U http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/9/6/4615