What Is Solar Radiation?

Solar Radiation: An Explanation

You may have heard your local weather forecaster mention the UV index. This is an important type of solar radiation to monitor since it can interfere with outdoor activities. Too much UV radiation from the sun, as we all know, can cause sunburn and has been linked to the development of some types of skin cancer.

However, UV is not the sole type of solar radiation. We'll go through the definition of solar radiation in more detail below, as well as how to measure it with various sensors and equipment.

What Is Solar Radiation?

First, let us define solar radiation. Our sun is a massive nuclear reactor that emits heat, light, and various sorts of radiation. Infrared, visible light, ultraviolet light (UV), and other forms of radiation are all included in the definition of solar radiation. This is different from radiation sources derived from terrestrial sources, such as uranium and cobalt.

Why Is Solar Radiation Important?

It is important to understand the amounts of specific types of solar radiation for a variety of uses. As previously said, measuring UV radiation is critical for human health. Those working in the solar power and alternative energy industries must also monitor the amount of solar radiation for energy creation. Agriculture, astronomy, photobiology, and companies that make materials that degrade in UV light are among the other fields that rely on solar radiation data. Many industry and research labs rely on accurate measurements of various types of solar radiation.

Solar Radiation sensor

When you purchase one of our Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus weather stations, you will receive both a solar radiation sensor and a UV sensor. These sensors are also compatible with any Vantage Pro2 sensor suite.

The Solar Radiation sensor detects the amount of sunlight that reaches a horizontal surface. This irradiance comprises both direct sunlight and reflected sunlight from the remainder of the sky. The solar radiation reading expresses the amount of solar radiation striking the solar radiation sensor at any particular time in Watts/square. metre (W/m2).

Solar radiation sensor by Davis Instruments

The Solar Radiation sensor also gives evapotranspiration (ET) and the temperature/humidity/sun/wind (THSW) index. ET is crucial to growers, and the THSW Index is a heat index that also adds sun, wind, and humidity to offer a clear picture of how hot it feels.

Davis' UV sensor measures UV. The Vantage Pro2 analyzes changing levels of UV radiation and can advise on instances where exposure is particularly dangerous. The Vantage Pro2 displays UV measurements on two scales: MEDs and UV Index.

A UV sensor is used by those who want to measure the quantity of UV light that humans and animals get for health purposes. They are also employed by those who run warehouses or manufacturing facilities that produce UV-degradable products. The sensor detects both direct and scattered UV light and displays the UV index, dose rate, daily dose, and accumulated dose.

Davis Instruments has 50 years of engineering experience and a reputation for precision, dependability, and durability in a wide range of environmental conditions.

ControlByWeb image of the Davis Weather Station, containing the Solar Radiation sensor