Insolation data

These data are collected with a UX120-006M data logger from Onset Computer Corporation, at 1-minute intervals using Kipp & Zonen SP-Lite and IESRE silicon- photodiode-based pyranometers. The site, at about 40°N and 75°W, is not ideal for collecting insolation data, as there are significant obstructions to the horizon – tall mature trees and a two-story house about 25 m away. These obstructions are more of a problem during winter when the maximum solar elevation is low in the sky. During and after snow in the winter, the measured insolation will be anomalously low until snow is removed from the pyranometers. Nonetheless, these data can provide an interesting window into seasonal sunlight conditions and cloud cover.

IESRE's pyranometers are calibrated against the widely used Kipp & Zonen SP-Lite. They both use the same basic technology -- blue-enhanced silicon photodiode detectors. These detectors have a spectral response across the visible spectrum, with a broad peak in the near-infrared. Because of this uneven response across the solar spectrum, they are more accurately described as "surrogate" pyranometers, but they are routinely used for routine solar monitoring applications.

There are occasional problems with output from the SP-Lite and IESRE pyranometers. These problems occur a little more frequently with the SP-Lite and they apppear to have more to do with connections to the data logger than with the pyranometers themselves. You can find more about solar radiation and IESRE's very inexpensive pyranometers HERE.

2018

August, 2018
September, 2018
October, 2018
November, 2018
December, 2018

2019

January, 2019 (some problems with SP-Lite)
February, 2019 (some problems with SP-Lite)
March, 2019 (some minor problems with SP-Lite)
April, 2019
May, 2019 (some minor problems with SP-Lite)
June, 2019
July, 2019
August, 2019
September, 2019
October, 2019 (some problems with IESRE pyranometer)
November, 2019
December, 2019 (some problems with connections on the both pyranometers.) The green data on December 21 shows insolation from a "pinched cosine"
clear sky insolation model – see HERE. The clear sky insolation at this site is diminished during this time of the year, when then sun is low in the sky, because
of obstructions to the horizon by trees and our house.

2020

January, 2020 (some problems with SP-Lite connection.)
February, 2020 (some problems with SP-Lite Connection.)
March, 2020 (some problems with IESRE Connection.)
April, 2020 (some problems with IESRE Connection.)
May, 2020
June, 2020 (some problems with SP-Lite Connection.)
July, 2020
August, 2020 (some problems with SP-Lite Connection.)
September, 2020 (some problems with SP-Lite Connection.)
October, 2020 (some problems with SP-Lite Connection.)
November, 2020 (some problems with both sensors day 1-14.)
December, 2020 (some problems with IESRE Connection.)
January, 2021 (Snow may have covered pyranometer on a few days.)
February, 2021 (Snow covered pyranometer on a few days, including around February 19th.)
March, 2021
April, 2021
May, 2021
June, 2021 (problems with IESRE pyranometer)
July, 2021 (problems with IESRE pyranometer)
August, 2021 (various sources, including new IESRE pyranometer (gray))
September, 2021 (all data from SP-Lite)