Low cost solar irradiation sensor and its thermal behaviour

This paper presents the working principle, design and thermal characterization of an irradiation sensor. The irradiation measurement device must have accuracy and a reliable construction under outdoor use conditions. The sensor is based on a photoelectric cell and incorporates a read-out circuit for providing steady short circuit conditions for the cell as well as for signal amplification. Thermal tests (HTS, LTOL) were accomplished in a climate chamber in the temperature range of −20 to 80 °C in steps of 10 °C. To determine the fundamentals of the thermal dependence of the sensor cell spectral response measurements under varying temperatures were performed. Measurements show that the self-made solar cell’s thermal dependence was 0.26% °C−1, revealing higher temperature dependence than in the case of an industrial reference cell.