Directional solar irradiance finder

Abstract

Solar radiation consists of three types which are direct radiation, diffuse radiation and reflected radiation. The most prevalent devices to measure solar radiation are pyranometers which measures radiation from all directions and pyrheliometers which measures radiation in a single direction. Such devices are becoming more and more prominent with applications such as estimating solar output in solar farms. The aim of this project is to improve on a previously constructed low-cost device that is able to measure radiation from multiple directions simultaneously. Both the hardware and software have to function in unison to ensure reliability and accuracy of collected data. The data will be analysed so as to determine the direction of solar irradiance. It can also have applications for solar irradiance prediction and solar energy purposes.