DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND CALIBRATION OF A SOLAR RADIATION MEASURING METER

Abstract

A digital solar radiation measuring instrument has been designed, constructed and calibrated. It incorporates a small rectangular silicon photocell as the sensor. On exposure to solar radiation, electromotive force which is proportional to radiation intensity is developed within the circuit. The device correlates voltage developed with available solar intensity. A standard solarimeter was therefore used to calibrate the device to translate the unit of its reading from Volt to Watt per square meter. Intensity spread obtained with respect to time of day agrees with various studies conducted previously on tropical environments. Results obtained generally conform with those obtained by Medugu, et al. [1] and Chiemeka [2]). With a calibration conversion factor of 877.19(V – 1.71) Wm-2, the device can be used to collect reliable irradiace data which are both comparable and compatible with that of a standard solarimeter.