HR: 0830h
AN: A21A-16    [Abstracts]
TI: Suitability of the BP MSX 01 Photovoltaic Module for Solar Irradiance Measurements
AU: * Woods, B
EM: bryanwoods@comcast.net
AF: Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854 United States
AU: Mandock, R L
EM: rmandock@cau.edu
AF: Earth System Science Program, Department of Physics, Clark Atlanta Univeristy, 223 James P. Brawley Drive, SW Mail Stop 241, Atlanta, GA` 30314 United States
AB: During the summer of 2004 solar irradiance measurements were made using three BP MSX 01 photovoltaic modules, a Li-Cor LI-200SZ Pyranometer, and an Eppley Precision Spectral Pyranomter (PSP). Instrument responses to clouds were analyzed for each of the photovoltaic modules in order to determine suitability for different climates and weather patterns. Calibration shifts at low sun angles were analyzed along with nighttime responses. Response times were also analyzed to determine the suitability of the photovoltaic modules for use as a pyranometer. The three BP photovoltaic cells, Li-cor pyranometer, and Eppley PSP were all connected to a Campbell Scientific CR10X data logger. Output voltages were read as differential channels from each instrument. Observations were recorded every second, and every ten observations were averaged and stored as one data entry. The results of careful analysis showed that the BP MSX 01 photovoltaic modules should be able to be used as pyranometers in solar energy monitoring applications. By averaging the three voltaic modules as an array, the derived values were much more accurate than any one module on its own.
DE: 9810 New fields (not classifiable under other headings)
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly