Solar energy recorder

Abstract

A serious obstacle to the large-scale terrestrial application of solar energy in today's “energy crisis” lies in the scarcity of reliable data on the amount of solar energy at candidate converter sites. This paper describes a system designed to monitor and record, automatically, the values of the direct and total (sun and sky) solar radiation which would be seen by either tracking or fixed-type solar converters. A further pressing need addressed by the system is the means for efficiency testing and evaluation of solar cells, solar collectors and solar concentrator systems, under outdoor exposure to natural sunlight and weather conditions for extended periods. The design was accomplished in support of the Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA, where design concepts and materials for large-scale terrestrial solar energy converters are currently being evaluated. The design and study results on which this paper is based have led to the conclusion that such a system is entirely practical using existing components, with the exception of material test modules of special design. Moreover, the described system satisfies the urgent need for solar energy data and provides the “available energy” and “usable energy” answers needed to bring the large scale terrestrial application of solar energy to fruition in this country.