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Solarimeters measure solar radiation levels on the earth’s surface, using chemical or physical instruments to identify photon levels and variations in radiation. They rely on the position of the sun for accuracy and have a glass dome for protection.
A solarimeter is a device designed to identify the radiation level of solar exposure at the earth’s surface. The tool’s primary use is in the field of weather studies, particularly for identifying what weather patterns an area can expect in the near future. Solarimeters are placed on a flat surface where they can get exposure to the full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation from the sun. When solar radiation hits the earth’s surface, sensors inside the device measure a full 180-degree radius around the instrument, finding the density and variations of this radiation.
Photons, the scientific designation for individual units of light, have an impact on the device. A solarimeter uses a chemical system or physical instruments to determine these photon levels. Within the light spectrum, ultraviolet light and visible wavelengths can be identified by the device, causing reactions to chemicals or tools.
A chemical solarium device uses a solution composed of several chemicals: malachite green leukocyanide, monochloroacetic acid, or potassium ferrioxalate. Radiation is measured from light absorbed in a process known as quantum yield identification. In this way a solarimeter is able to determine the total level of electromagnetic radiation, from the light spectrum to the heat that strikes the earth’s surface.
Some solarimeters, on the other hand, use physical tools to identify the radiation. These include bolometers, photodiodes and thermopiles. Bolometers are the simplest, using a piece of metal hooked to a heat sink that allows changes in temperature to be identified. Photodiodes are more modern designs, using the concept of solar energy to transfer light energy into an electric current, measuring the level of radiation. Similarly, thermopiles are capable of converting heat into electric current, which also finds the level of radiation.
Solarimeters rely heavily on the actual position of the Sun to get the best possible reading. When solar radiation comes from its zenith, directly above the device, the readings are completely accurate and easily identifiable. However, between the angles of 0.5 and 60 degrees, a proportional determination must be made. Unfortunately, if the Sun is positioned at 90 degrees or more, no readings can be taken.
One of the major visual components of a solarimeter is a small glass dome that sits atop the device. This allows you to obtain correct readings in the range of 300 and 2,800 nanometers, considered the ideal parameters to take a measurement. Additionally, this glass dome provides a simple shield of protection from other phenomena such as rain or snow.
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