This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 7410, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction (if any), and the Conference Committee listing.

A radiometric monitoring program for solar irradiance has been initiated on the Howard College campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban, South Africa. This paper describes the establishment of the broadband ground station which employs conventional radiometers and a new type of pyranometer shadow band. The ZEBRA (Zonal Exposure to Broadband RAdiation) band consists of a perforated metal strip that permits the separation of direct normal and diffuse irradiance from global data with a single pyranometer. In this paper a time-based model of the new band's shading mask is described. The model is derived from a ray tracing exercise that accounts for ZEBRA geometry and solar position throughout a generic 365-day year. The UKZN facility lies at 29.9° South latitude and is part of a larger test initiative for the new shadow band that includes the NREL Solar Radiation Research Laboratory in Colorado. Data from northern and southern hemisphere test sites are to be used to characterize performance of the band under a range of conditions and for comparison with output from the newly developed model.

Thermopile pyranometers exhibit IR radiative losses that affect global and diffuse shortwave measurements made with first class thermopile based instruments. Pyrgeometers can be used to measure the sky temperature and are used to calculate the pyranometer's IR radiative losses. Few solar monitoring sites are equipped with pyrgeometers necessary to account for the IR radiative losses associated with the pyranometers. High quality data from the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory (SRRL) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are used to test and further develop a model for the IR radiative losses without the use of pyrgeometer data. The various methods for obtaining IR radiative loss values are compared and contrasted using the SRRL data. A simple scaling method is proposed and tested to adjust the non-pyrgeometer based correlation models to sites with different sky temperature characteristics.

As efforts to create accurate yet computationally efficient estimation models for clear-sky photosynthetically active solar radiation (PAR) have succeeded, the range of practical engineering applications where these models can be successfully applied has increased. This paper describes a novel application of the REST2 radiative model (developed by the second author) in optical engineering. The PAR predictions in this application are used to predict the possible range of instantaneous irradiances that could impinge on the image plane of a stationary video camera designed to image license plates on moving vehicles. The overall spectral response of the camera (including lens and optical filters) is similar to the 400-700 nm PAR range, thereby making PAR irradiance (rather than luminance) predictions most suitable for this application. The accuracy of the REST2 irradiance predictions for horizontal surfaces, coupled with another radiative model to obtain irradiances on vertical surfaces, and to standard optical image formation models, enable setting the dynamic range controls of the camera to ensure that the license plate images are legible (unsaturated with adequate contrast) regardless of the time of day, sky condition, or vehicle speed. A brief description of how these radiative models are utilized as part of the camera control algorithm is provided. Several comparisons of the irradiance predictions derived from the radiative model versus actual PAR measurements under varying sky conditions with three Licor sensors (one horizontal and two vertical) have been made and showed good agreement. Various camera-to-plate geometries and compass headings have been considered in these comparisons. Time-lapse sequences of license plate images taken with the camera under various sky conditions over a 30-day period are also analyzed. They demonstrate the success of the approach at creating legible plate images under highly variable lighting, which is the main goal of this application. Graphs of plate contrast over various sky conditions and camera aiming geometries are also presented to quantify the performance of the plate's legibility.

A simple, affordable and efficient multifaceted system with technical software programs, "Kosmos 3M", was developed for taking images of the Earth from NOAA satellites and for handling this images and analyzing many geographical and meteorological parameters. Technical software programs have been developed that utilize the "Kosmos 3M" Receiver system. Basic capabilities of the multifaceted "Kosmos 3M" system include: receiving signal from NOAA satellites; digital processing of space images with geographical fixing, superposition of maps of cities and coordinate grid; finding of geographical coordinates at any point of space image; finding of temperature of underlying surface at given points; finding of albedo (reflection coefficient) at any point of space image; finding of upper boundary of clouds (cloudiness); forecasting of dangerous weather phenomena; defining wind fields in cyclones; precipitations forecast; measuring distances between given points; measuring surfaces (areas); and forming of electronic library of images of the Earth. Work is underway to use the "Kosmos 3M" cloudiness images to estimate the incident solar radiation values for evaluating terrestrial solar energy performance in real time. Such kind of system would have a wide variety of uses from the classroom to the field.

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has embarked on a collaborative effort with the solar industry to establish high quality solar and meteorological measurements. This Solar Resource and Meteorological Assessment Project (SOLRMAP) provides high quality measurements to support deployment of concentrating solar thermal power projects in the United States. The no-funds-exchanged collaboration brings NREL solar resource assessment expertise together with industry needs for measurements. The end result will be high quality data sets to support the financing, design, and monitoring of large scale solar power projects for industry in addition to research-quality data for NREL model development. NREL provides consultation for instrumentation and station deployment, along with instrument calibrations, data acquisition, quality assessment, data distribution, and summary reports. Industry participants provide equipment, infrastructure, and station maintenance.

This contribution addresses the need for more information about the spectral effect affecting solar cells specifically designed for concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) applications. Spectral effects result from differences between the actual (dynamically variable) solar spectrum incident on a solar cell in the field and the standard (fixed) solar spectrum used for rating purposes. A methodology is proposed to quantify this spectral effect at any site where basic atmospheric information exists, and predict what semiconductor material(s) may benefit from operating under non-standard conditions. Using the same SMARTS radiative code as for the development of the improved reference spectrum for concentrating PV rating, an analysis of the spectral sensitivity of five specific PV technologies to varying atmospheric factors is presented, using simulated spectra at 5-nm resolution. (The alternative of using the average photon energy (APE) concept was also considered, but proved inappropriate in the present context.) The technologies investigated here include a 21.5%-efficient CIGS cell, a 22%-efficient crystalline silicon cell (both appropriate for low-concentration applications), as well as three high-performance multijunction cells, which are specifically designed for high-concentration applications. To the difference of most previous studies, the approach taken here considers realistic atmospheric conditions. The proposed Daily Spectral Enhancement Factor (DSEF) is obtained from a typical daily-average incident spectrum, which is purposefully weighted to minimize the incidence of large spectral effects at low sun. Calculations of DSEF are performed here at fifteen world sites from an atmospheric monitoring network. These sites have largely different latitudes and climates, and yet are all potentially interesting for CPV applications. Results are obtained for a typical clear day of January and July, and for each of the five PV technologies just mentioned. This analysis provides a preliminary quantitative assessment of how local atmospheric conditions interact with the spectral response of different CPV technologies. Most importantly, it is shown that the effect of aerosol optical depth (AOD, also referred to as atmospheric turbidity) has the largest impact on both the average direct normal irradiance (DNI) during a given month and the cell's DSEF. It is found that DSEF can be as low as 0.993 under clean conditions (low AOD), and as high as 1.215 under hazy conditions (high AOD). Under most conditions, all simulated solar cells perform significantly better than under rating conditions due to the spectral effect alone. There is no important difference in DSEF from cell to cell, except in one instance of very high AOD. The methodology and results proposed here constitute a step towards a better performance prediction of CPV systems, by assessing the variable spectral effect more accurately. It is anticipated that a more detailed simulation, which would also model temperature effects, as well as current-limiting effects in multijunction cells, would indicate even larger DSEF values than found here. Accurate aerosol data with higher spatial resolution in the "sun belt" than what exists today would also be desirable for the development of CPV applications.

The spectroradiometric characterization of the NIST indoor pulsed solar simulator is described. The solar simulator has a flash duration of 36.4 ms and is designed for solar panels having a maximum size of 2.0 m by 1.6 m. As per industry standards, the performance of the solar simulator is evaluated on the basis of three criteria: spatial uniformity, temporal stability, and spectral irradiance. Results from evaluating the NIST solar simulator on all three criteria is reported, but a greater focus is given to the spectral characterization. Reported spectral irradiance measurements were made using a high-speed, diode-array spectroradiometer that was calibrated using NIST standards. An uncertainty analysis of the spectral irradiance measurements is developed, and the extent that the calibrated spectroradiometer can be used to improve solar module measurements is explored.

We present a variable spectral and angular light source generator. The design and presented results are focused on solar radiation simulation, reproducing the spectral and angular distribution observed from the sun. This system is particularly interesting in the area of solar concentration. It permits to measure and test multi-junction photovoltaic cells alone or together with concentrating optics. We present some system setups and its performance in reproducing solar radiation around the visible band.

Multiple junction and thin film photovoltaic (PV) technologies respond differently to varying terrestrial spectral distributions of solar energy. PV device and system designers are concerned with the impact of spectral variation on PV specific technologies. Spectral distribution data is generally very rare, expensive, and difficult to obtain. We modified an existing empirical spectral conversion model to convert hourly broadband global (total hemispherical) horizontal and direct normal solar radiation to representative spectral distributions. Hourly average total hemispherical and direct normal beam solar radiation, such as provided in typical meteorological year (TMY) data are model spectral model input data. Default or prescribed atmospheric aerosols and water vapor are possible inputs. Individual hourly and monthly and annual average spectral distributions are computed for a specified tilted surface. The spectral range is from 300 nm to 1400 nm. The model is a modified version of the Nann and Riordan SEDES2 model. Measured hemispherical spectral distributions for a wide variety of conditions at the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Co. and Florida Solar Energy Center (Cocoa, FL) show that reasonable spectral accuracy of about +/-20% is obtainable, with notable exceptions for weather events such as snow.

Spectral control of the emissivity of surfaces is essential in applications such as solar thermal energy and thermophotovoltaic energy conversion in order to achieve the highest conversion efficiencies possible. We investigated surfaces consisting of periodic, nanoscale V-grooves coated with aperiodic metal-dielectric stacks. This approach combines impedance matching using tapered metallic features with the excellent spectral selectivity of aperiodic metal-dielectric stacks. We explain how changes in the angle of the V-grooves can be used to tailor the spectral selectivity over a wide angular range to significantly increase the efficiency of thermophotovoltaic and solar thermal systems. Optimal coatings for concentrated solar power are predicted to have thermal emissivity below 5% at 450°C while absorbing >90% of the incident light.

Due to their limited angular acceptance, and use of spectrally sensitive multi-junction solar cells, high concentration photovoltaic modules represent a challenging measurement task. In collaboration with Instituto de Energia Solar at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, SolFocus has designed and manufactured an industrialized solar simulator for characterization of high concentration photovoltaic modules. The simulator measures module peak conversion efficiency and acceptance angle. The simulator uses a Xenon flash source with collimating optics to form a uniform one-sun illumination covering sufficient area to measure two panels of 1 m² each, along with reference measurement cells for spectral and power normalization. The on-sun measurement uses a normal incidence pyrheliometer and temperature sensors to provide normalization information. This paper presents an algorithm for normalization of tests performed under factory conditions to IEC 62108 standard operating conditions (850 W/m² direct-normal-irradiance, 20 C ambient temperature). After normalization, tested panels are correlated to actual on-sun performance measurements. We present descriptions of the normalizations applied to both the factory test method and on-sun test method, and compare the results for a population of over 100 modules. As a result of normalization and correlation methods, we conclude that the simulator predicts on-sun performance to better than ±10%, with 99% confidence. The primary source of uncertainty is the normalization of the on-sun data. The repeatability of the flash test is better than ±2%.

Overheating is a common problem both with the use of active and passive solar energy in thermal solar energy systems and in highly glazed buildings. In solar thermal collectors, the elevated temperatures occurring during stagnation result in reduced lifetime of the collector materials. Highly glazed building facades provide high solar gains in winter, but imply in most cases high energy needs for air conditioning in summer. A solution to such problems might be provided by "smart" thermochromic coatings. A durable inorganic thermochromic material is vanadium dioxide. At 68°C, VO₂ undergoes a reversible crystal structural phase transition accompanied by a strong variation in optical properties. By doping the material with tungsten, it is possible to lower the transition temperature making it suitable as a window coating. In order to simulate the optical behaviour of multilayered solar coatings, precise knowledge on the optical material properties is necessary. Experimental data reported in the literature are rare and controversial. We determined the complex dielectric function for VO₂:W by spectroscopic UV-VIS-NIR ellipsometry above and below the transition temperature and subsequent point-by-point analysis of the ellipsometric psi/delta data. For a validation, the solar reflectance, absorptance and transmittance were measured by spectrophotometry in the visible range and in the near infrared range up to 2500 nm. The experimental reflectance spectra have been compared with the computer simulations based on the determined optical material properties. Finally, we collected optical data in a more extended wavelength range by digital infrared imaging to detect the switch in thermal emissivity of VO₂:W at around 45°C.

The Bruggeman and Maxwell-Garnett effective medium approximations have been used widely to investigate optical properties of many different composite materials. In most cases, the effective medium approximation assumptions are based on random unit cell models in which some metal particles are embedded in a dielectric medium. The shapes of the embedded particles can be varied between spherical, ellipsoidal and cylindrical shapes. A new and interesting structure of connected short chains of completely amorphous carbon intermixed with short chains of silica at nanoscale level has been observed recently. A generalised Bergman representation based on an arbitrary spectral density function is currently applied on these carbon-in-silica samples with a reasonable success of fitting between experiment and theory. The curve-fitting procedure adopted here has resulted in information such as volume fraction of carbon relative to silica, percolation threshold, the thickness and effective dielectric function of the composite layer.

The main objective of ADASY (Active Daylighting System) work is to design a façade static daylighting system oriented to office applications, mainly. The goal of the project is to save energy by guiding daylight into a building for lighting purpose. With this approach we can reduce the electrical load for artificial lighting, completing it with sustainable energy. The collector of the system is integrated on a vertical façade and its distribution guide is always horizontal inside of the false ceiling. ADASY is designed with a specific patent pending caption system, a modular light-guide and light extractor luminaire system. Special care has been put on the final cost of the system and its building integration purpose. The current ADASY configuration is able to illuminate 40 m² area with a 300lx-400lx level in the mid time work hours; furthermore it has a good enough spatial uniformity distribution and a controlled glare. The data presented in this study are the result of simulation models and have been confirmed by a physical scaled prototype. ADASY's main advantages over regular illumination systems are: -Low maintenance; it has not mobile pieces and therefore it lasts for a long time and require little attention once installed. - No energy consumption; solar light continue working even if there has been a power outage. - High quality of light: the colour rendering of light is very high - Psychological benefits: People working with daylight get less stress and more comfort, increasing productivity. - Health benefits

According to the principle of SCM (Single Chip Microcomputer) and computer communication technique, the system is composed of chips such as ATML89C51, ADL0809, integrated circuit and sensors for UV radiation, which is designed for monitoring and controlling the UV index. This system can automatically collect the UV index data, analyze and check the history database, research the law of UV radiation in the region.

As emerging thin-film PV technologies continue to penetrate the market and the number of utility scale installations substantially increase, detailed understanding of the performance of the various PV technologies becomes more important. An accurate database for each technology is essential for precise project planning, energy yield prediction and project financing. However recent publications showed that it is very difficult to get accurate and reliable performance data of theses technologies. This paper evaluates previously reported claims the amorphous silicon based PV modules have a higher annual energy yield compared to crystalline silicon modules relative to their rated performance. In order to acquire a detailed understanding of this effect, outdoor module tests were performed at GE Global Research Center in Munich. In this study we examine closely two of the five reported factors that contribute to enhanced energy yield of amorphous silicon modules. We find evidence to support each of these factors and evaluate their relative significance. We discuss aspects for improvement in how PV modules are sold and identify areas for further study further study.

The temporal response of a biomimetic dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is critically linked to the intensity of the incident light. When a DSSC is partially illuminated and the incoming light is of low intensity, the response time of the cell is prolonged dramatically. In this report, the major components of the DSSC are investigated to find the source and to provide a model of the driving mechanisms behind this delay. For low light level conditions, only deep traps states of the TiO₂ layer participate in electron transport resulting in a slow temporal response. Increasing the illumination level thus increases the conductivity of the TiO₂ electrode by filling these trap states and increases the response time. This study shows a strong correlation between the light intensity, active area and excitation wavelength on the temporal response time of a DSSC.