Pyranometer Sensors and Meters

Pyranometer sensors measure the shortwave radiation reaching the Earth's surface, measured in Joules m^-2 s^-1 or Watts m^-2.

Spectral Response

A thermopile pyranometer measures all of the energy between 280 and 2800 nm. However, about 90% of the sunlight energy is between 300 to 1100 nm so silicon-cell photodiode pyranometers can be calibrated to estimate all of the shortwave energy from sunlight.

Note on Use of Apogee Pyranometer

All silicon-cell photodiode pyranometers sub-sample the shortwave radiation spectrum (from 300-1000 nm), and are calibrated to predict all of the solar radiation (from 280 to 2800 nm). For this reason, they should only be used to measure unobstructed solar radiation. The pyranometers should not be used to measure electric lights, under canopies of vegetation or to measure reflected radiation.