Working principle of the Pyranometer sensor

How does the Pyranometer sensor work?

A Pyranometer is an instrument used to measure the intensity of solar radiation and consists of a sensor and a meter. The sensor is used to sense the solar radiation energy and the meter is used to convert the sensed radiation energy into readable data.

Pyranometer's sensors typically utilize the thermopile or thermocouple principle to sense solar energy. A thermopile is made up of multiple thermocouples connected in series, each consisting of two different metals. When sunlight hits the thermopile, one end of the thermocouple absorbs the solar energy and heats up, while the other end transfers the absorbed heat to the surrounding environment. This temperature difference generates a thermoelectric potential, the magnitude of which is proportional to the amount of solar radiation energy absorbed. By measuring the magnitude of the thermoelectric potential, the amount of solar radiation energy can be determined.

In addition, Pyranometer sensors are often equipped with optical filters to minimize interference from scattered light and improve measurement accuracy. Some advanced Pyranometer sensors also have built-in temperature and barometric pressure sensors to compensate for the effects of ambient temperature and barometric pressure on the measurement results.

Pyranometers are typically placed on a horizontal surface for measurement, with the sensor facing the sun to ensure an accurate measurement of the total amount of solar radiation.Pyranometers typically have a measurement range of 0-2000W/m², with an accuracy of measurement within ±2%. By using the Pyranometer, we can better understand the impact of solar radiation on climate change and provide important data support for meteorological forecasting, environmental protection and other fields.

In summary, Pyranometer's sensors measure the intensity of solar radiation by sensing the sun's radiant energy and converting it into a readable thermopotential signal.

Pyranometer Solar Radiation Sensors data sheet

NBL-W-HPRS-Solar-Radiation-Sensor-Instruction-Manual-V3.0.pdf

NBL-W-SRS-Solar-radiation-sensor-instruction-manual-V4.0.pdf