ASTM G167-15(2023)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Calibration of a Pyranometer Using a Pyrheliometer
Standard Test Method for Calibration of a Pyranometer Using a Pyrheliometer
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The pyranometer is a radiometer designed to measure the sum of directly solar radiation and sky radiation in such proportions as solar altitude, atmospheric conditions and cloud cover may produce. When tilted to the equator, by an angle β, pyranometers measure only hemispherical radiation falling in the plane of the radiation receptor.
4.2 This test method represents the only practical means for calibration of a reference pyranometer. While the sun-trackers, the shading disk, the number of instantaneous readings, and the electronic display equipment used will vary from laboratory to laboratory, the method provides for the minimum acceptable conditions, procedures and techniques required.
4.3 While, in theory, the choice of tilt angle (β) is unlimited, in practice, satisfactory precision is achieved over a range of tilt angles close to the zenith angles used in the field.
4.4 The at-tilt calibration as performed in the tilted position relates to a specific tilted position and in this position requires no tilt correction. However, a tilt correction may be required to relate the calibration to other orientations, including axis vertical.
Note 1: WMO High Quality pyranometers generally exhibit tilt errors of less than 0.5 %. Tilt error is the percentage deviation from the responsivity at 0° tilt (horizontal) due to change in tilt from 0° to 90° at 1000 W·m23.
4.5 Traceability of calibrations to the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) is achieved through comparison to a reference absolute pyrheliometer that is itself traceable to the WRR through one of the following:
4.5.1 One of the International Pyrheliometric Comparisons (IPC) held in Davos, Switzerland since 1980 (IPC IV). See Refs (3-7).
4.5.2 Any like intercomparison held in the United States, Canada or Mexico and sanctioned by the World Meteorological Organization as a Regional Intercomparison of Absolute Cavity Pyrheliometers.
4.5.3 Intercomparison with any absolute cavity pyrheliometer t...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers an integration of previous Test Method E913 dealing with the calibration of pyranometers with axis vertical and previous Test Method E941 on calibration of pyranometers with axis tilted. This amalgamation of the two methods essentially harmonizes the methodology with ISO 9846.
1.2 This test method is applicable to all pyranometers regardless of the radiation receptor employed, and is applicable to pyranometers in horizontal as well as tilted positions.
1.3 This test method is mandatory for the calibration of all secondary standard pyranometers as defined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and ISO 9060, and for any pyranometer used as a reference pyranometer in the transfer of calibration using Test Method E842.
1.4 Two types of calibrations are covered: Type I calibrations employ a self-calibrating, absolute pyrheliometer, and Type II calibrations employ a secondary reference pyrheliometer as the reference standard (secondary reference pyrheliometers are defined by WMO and ISO 9060).
1.5 Calibrations of reference pyranometers may be performed by a method that makes use of either an altazimuth or equatorial tracking mount in which the axis of the radiometer's radiation receptor is aligned with the sun during the shading disk test.
1.6 The determination of the dependence of the calibration factor (calibration function) on variable parameters is called characterization. The characterization of pyranometers is not specifically covered by this method.
1.7 This test method is applicable only to calibration procedures using the sun as the light source.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This interna...
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: G167 − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
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Calibration of a Pyranometer Using a Pyrheliometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G167; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Accurate and precise measurements of total global (hemispherical) solar irradiance are required in
the assessment of irradiance and radiant exposure in the testing of exposed materials, determination
of the energy available to solar collection devices, and assessment of global and hemispherical solar
radiation for meteorological purposes.
This test method requires calibrations traceable to the World Radiometric Reference (WRR), which
represents the SI units of irradiance. The WRR is determined by a group of selected absolute
pyrheliometers maintained by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Davos, Switzerland.
Realization of the WRR in the United States, and other countries, is accomplished by the
intercomparison of absolute pyrheliometers with the World Radiometric Group (WRG) through a
series of intercomparisons that include the International Pyrheliometric Conferences held every five
years in Davos. The intercomparison of absolute pyrheliometers is covered by procedures adopted by
WMO and is not covered by this test method.
It should be emphasized that “calibration of a pyranometer” essentially means the transfer of the
WRR scale from a pyrheliometer to a pyranometer under specific experimental procedures.
1. Scope eter as the reference standard (secondary reference pyrheliom-
eters are defined by WMO and ISO 9060).
1.1 This test method covers an integration of previous Test
Method E913 dealing with the calibration of pyranometers
1.5 Calibrations of reference pyranometers may be per-
with axis vertical and previous Test Method E941 on calibra-
formed by a method that makes use of either an altazimuth or
tion of pyranometers with axis tilted. This amalgamation of the
equatorial tracking mount in which the axis of the radiometer’s
two methods essentially harmonizes the methodology with ISO radiation receptor is aligned with the sun during the shading
9846.
disk test.
1.2 This test method is applicable to all pyranometers
1.6 The determination of the dependence of the calibration
regardless of the radiation receptor employed, and is applicable
factor (calibration function) on variable parameters is called
to pyranometers in horizontal as well as tilted positions.
characterization. The characterization of pyranometers is not
specifically covered by this method.
1.3 This test method is mandatory for the calibration of all
secondary standard pyranometers as defined by the World
1.7 This test method is applicable only to calibration pro-
Meteorological Organization (WMO) and ISO 9060, and for
cedures using the sun as the light source.
any pyranometer used as a reference pyranometer in the
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
transfer of calibration using Test Method E842.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.4 Two types of calibrations are covered: Type I calibra-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tions employ a self-calibrating, absolute pyrheliometer, and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Type II calibrations employ a secondary reference pyrheliom-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
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dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G03 on
Weathering and Durability and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G03.09
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
on Radiometry.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as G167 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/G0167-15R23. Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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G167 − 15 (2023)
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.8 hemispherical radiation, n—combined direct and dif-
2 fuse solar radiation incident from a virtual hemisphere, or from
2.1 AS
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