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Solar Radiation Measurements: Calibration and Standardization Efforts

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Advances in Solar Energy

Abstract

This chapter reviews recent activities in the field of solar radiation measurements and includes discussions of historical problems, the genesis of various national and international activities dealing with studies to solve them, and current and planned activities in assessing various aspects of the measurement of solar irradiance. Emphasis is on the development of test methods and the promulgation of industry standards for the operation and calibration of solar radiometers used to determine irradiance, largely in support of solar device testing. The need for standardization at both the domestic and international levels is discussed, as are activities relating to the maintenance of the World Radiation Reference Scale in the U.S., and the relation of these activities to the internationally recognized pentannual pyrheliometric comparisons at Davos, Switzerland. Specific organizations mentioned are the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Energy Agency (lEA), Subcommittee.02 on Environmental Parameters of ASTM Committee E-44 on Solar Energy Conversion, and Subcommittee 1 Climate of the International Standards Organization (ISO) Technical Committee 180 on Solar Energy. Specific attention is devoted to the characterization of pyranometers employed in the precision measurement of irradiance at angles other than horizontal.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Mr. Zerlaut is co-owner of DSET Laboratories, Inc., an internationally known materials weathering and solar device testing facility. He is chairman of ASTM Committee E-44 on Solar Energy Conversion, chairman of the U.S. TAG for ISO/TC180 on Solar Energy-Thermal Applications, and a member of numerous other professional organizations. Mr. Zerlaut is credited with more than 50 publications and holds the rights to six patents. He is listed in Who’s Who in the West and Who’s Who in Technology Today.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DSET Laboratories, Inc., 85029, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

    G. A. Zerlaut

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  1. G. A. Zerlaut
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Delaware and SES, Inc., Newark, Delaware, USA

    Karl W. Böer

  2. University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    John A. Duffie

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© 1983 American Solar Energy Society, Inc.

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Zerlaut, G.A. (1983). Solar Radiation Measurements: Calibration and Standardization Efforts. In: Böer, K.W., Duffie, J.A. (eds) Advances in Solar Energy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8992-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8992-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-8994-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-8992-7

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