EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF DIY PYRANOMETERS USING PIN PHOTODIODE ELEMENTS

Abstract

 We investigated the possibility of solar radiation measurement using four kinds of pin photodiodes which have different photosensitive areas and sensitive wavelength bands. As a result of the fixed-point observation with the use of passive-active measurement circuits, it was showed basic measurement circuits are capable of effectively measuring solar radiation with pin photodiodes. Pin photodiodes with a large photosensitive area and sensitivity across the visible to near-infrared range exhibited exceptional accuracy in measuring solar radiation. The mobile observation revealed the accuracy of pin photodiodes in measuring upward solar radiation declined in areas with concrete paved pathways and vegetation. Additionally, measuring reflected solar radiation from concrete structures presented certain challenges.