Terrestrial solar spectral distributions derived from broadband hourly solar radiation data

Daryl R. Myers

doi:10.1117/12.825307

20 August 2009 Terrestrial solar spectral distributions derived from broadband hourly solar radiation data

Daryl R. Myers

Proceedings Volume 7410, Optical Modeling and Measurements for Solar Energy Systems III; 74100A (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.825307
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Multiple junction and thin film photovoltaic (PV) technologies respond differently to varying terrestrial spectral distributions of solar energy. PV device and system designers are concerned with the impact of spectral variation on PV specific technologies. Spectral distribution data is generally very rare, expensive, and difficult to obtain. We modified an existing empirical spectral conversion model to convert hourly broadband global (total hemispherical) horizontal and direct normal solar radiation to representative spectral distributions. Hourly average total hemispherical and direct normal beam solar radiation, such as provided in typical meteorological year (TMY) data are model spectral model input data. Default or prescribed atmospheric aerosols and water vapor are possible inputs. Individual hourly and monthly and annual average spectral distributions are computed for a specified tilted surface. The spectral range is from 300 nm to 1400 nm. The model is a modified version of the Nann and Riordan SEDES2 model. Measured hemispherical spectral distributions for a wide variety of conditions at the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Co. and Florida Solar Energy Center (Cocoa, FL) show that reasonable spectral accuracy of about +/-20% is obtainable, with notable exceptions for weather events such as snow.

Citation Download Citation

Daryl R. Myers "Terrestrial solar spectral distributions derived from broadband hourly solar radiation data", Proc. SPIE 7410, Optical Modeling and Measurements for Solar Energy Systems III, 74100A (20 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.825307

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