What is pyrheliometer?

pyrheliometer is a tool used to measure direct sunlight in a given location. Because they need to be pointed directly at the sun, pyrheliometers are usually mounted on the tracking device that monitors the movements of the sun. After the sunlight enters the pyrheliometer, it is converted to a thermopile electrical voltage. This voltage can then be calibrated to provide watts per square meter, standard units of sunlight. Pyrheliometers are used for scientific research and for the placement of solar panels.

Solar irradiation is a measure of sunlight flow or solar energy per unit of time per unit of surface. It depends on the location of the measurement - solar irradiation near the Sun surface will be much greater than on the distance of the Earth. In fact, there are changes in sunlight on the surface of the Earth; These depend on the amount of sunlight atmosphere must penetrate and, to a lesser extent, differences in the distance of the sun. Average sunlight at the distance of the groundFrom the Sun is about 1,366 watts per square meter. Some sunlight is scattered in the atmosphere; This kind of scattered sunlight can be measured with another tool called a pyranometer. Sunlight, which is not scattered, enters the pyrheliometer and hits thermopia.

Thermopil is a device that uses the effect of Seebeck to create an electrical voltage based on temperature differences. The Seebeck effect refers to a phenomenon where two different metals at different temperatures will produce electric current after connection. In the pyrheliometer, one end of the thermopil points towards the sun, while the other end remains overshadowed. This arrangement will leave two metals at different temperatures and, therefore it will lead to the flow of the current in the thermopile. When the sunlight is higher, higher electrical voltage will be measured.

pyrheliometers are commonly used to study changes in sunlight such as 11 -year sunshinelus. Another application of the pyrheliometer is the location and design of the solar panel. Different parts of the Earth receive different amounts of sunlight and this data can be collected pyrheliometers and used to create maps of an average radiation level. Polar latitudes generally have less incoming sunlight, while other areas have lower levels due to frequently cloudy sky. These maps can help inform where it makes sense to place solar panels.