Solar Measurement Systems
Instruments for Solar Monitoring
The BLACK-Comet concave grating spectrometers and the Dual-DSR spectrometer configurations are the perfect tools for making solar irradiance measurements.  The solar irradiance monitors are great for solar simulators and artificial lighting of all kinds.  The instruments are calibrated to measure the spectral irradiance in units of watts per meter squared over the wavelength range in nanometers. Currently there are four model BLACK-Comet irradiance monitors, C (190-850nm), CXR (280-900nm), C-SR (200-1080nm), CXR-SR (220-1100nm).The Dual-DSR Solar configuration enables irradiance measurements from 200-1700nm. This configuration combines a BLACK-Comet concave grating spectrometer with a RED-Wave NIR instrument to capture a complete UV-VIS-NIR irradiance spectrum all in real time!  Choose from the list of StellarNet Solar monitoring configurations in the table at the bottom of page.

SpectraWiz- Solar Irradiance Measurements
- Absolute intensity measurements watts/m²  
- µm watts/cm²
- Lumens/m² -- LUX
- Moles per second 
- Footcandles /m²
- Radiant Flux (watts)
- Luminous Flux (lumens)
- PAR- Photosynthetically Active Radiation
- Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)
- Set Power Spectral Density (PSD) range
- Solar Match Monitor

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Solar Match Monitor- BLACK-Comet-CXR-SR 50um slit, F600VIS-NIR fiber, CR2 Cosine receptor, CR2-AP, CR2-TP and other optional accessories available to measure the sun or your solar simulator.



Solar Match Monitor- View Press Release
The SpectraWiz® software now includes a new solar match panel that is part of the Light Monitor application, that is used to characterize and classify light emissions for solar simulators.  The Solar Match Monitor application calculates spectral irradiance for each 100nm bin from 400-1100nm and compares the results to the ideal percent for each bin range per IEC/JIS/ASTM. The proximity of the measured data to the ideal values results in classification of the solar simulator lamp from A through D.  The Light Monitor also measures UVabc regions below 400nm using both U.S. and European standards.

NIST Calibrations
The factory performs calibrations for the appropriate wavelength range of your spectrometer using NIST traceable calibration lamps (calibration service IRRAD-CAL must be ordered with spectrometer and proper measurement accessories)

Fast delivery: most system can be calibrated and shipped within 1 week after receipt of order

Absolute calibration: accuracy within 10% at detector integration setting used for calibration

Certificate available: documentation with NIST traceable serial numbers.

If the user has an appropriate irradiance calibration source lamp, a field re-calibration can be easily performed using the included SpectraWiz software 


Example Solar Spectrum- Normally incident solar spectrum at sea level on a clear day. Absorption and scattering levels change as the constituents of the atmosphere change. Clouds are the most familiar example of change; clouds can block most of the direct radiation. Seasonal variations and trends in ozone layer thickness have an important effect on the terrestrial ultraviolet level.


Episodic Data capture of Sunset- Solar spectra was recorded periodically during sunset. The instrumentation used above is the standard BLACK-Comet model spectrometer, a F600 fiber optic cable, and a cosine receptor. Additionally, the spectrometer was spectroradiometrically calibrated for low light conditions using a NIST traceable lamp and receptor aperture. The episodic data capture shows clearly when the Sun has dropped over the horizon and the spectral signature of distant streetlights becomes the most significant feature of the spectrum. StellarNet solar monitors may also be used to test solar simulators and other artificial lights frequently used in the solar cell testing, production, and quality control.

SpectraWiz UV monitoring can provide UVa, UVb, and UVc irradiance measurements as well as providing UVa/b ratios and other useful values.

Power and Interface
Portable spectrometers include a high speed USB-2 interface cable.  All miniature spectrometers with a CCD detector are powered by your computer's USB port while spectrometers with InGaAs detectors (RED-Wave) require an external 5V supply.  New Big Wave electronics allow plug in play operation through on board memory where all coefficients are automatically loaded into your software.

SolarRad Solar Measurement System
StellarNet announces its new all-in-one light measurement system, the SolarRad, for only $4500.

The SolarRad features everything needed to perform light measurements over the 300-1100nm wavelength range (with deep UV options available).  At the heart of the system is a concave grating spectrometer featuring a UV enhanced CCD detector

The SolarRad features a USB2 connection for plug and play connectivity and comes equipped with a fiber optic cable, right-angle cosine receptor, and NIST-traceable irradiance calibration.  Multiple measurements are possible including watts/m², micro-watts/cm², lumens/m², PAR, xy Chromaticity, CCT, CRI, and dominant wavelength.  Since the system requires no external power, this is ideal for any portable or field applications such as LED characterization, reflectance and environmental studies, and solar irradiance monitoring.


Measurement Setup
The free SpectraWiz^® application software now includes a new solar match application panel that can be used to characterize and classify solar simulators. The Solar Match Monitor application panel calculates spectral irradiance from 400-500nm, 500-600nm, 600-700nm, 700-800nm, 800-900nm, 900-1000nm, 1000-1100nm and compares the results to the ideal percent for each range per IEC/JIS/ASTM. The proximity of the measured data to the ideal values results in classification of the solar simulator lamp from A through D.

Why StellarNet Solar SpectroRadiometers?
 - Low cost - Ruggedized - Research quality
- Shock-proof - Permanently aligned - Robust
- Miniature size
- NIST traceable
- SpectraWiz Software included Free
- USB-2 power and interface to all notebook PCs
- Real time Solar spectrum analysis



BLACK-Comet spectrometer comes in many different models optimized for measuring solar irradiance, solar simulators, and artificial light sources of all types.

DSR-CSR-512
Solar irradiance monitor configuration- Direct Sun Light October Noon – Tampa, FL



Dual DSR Spectroradiometer- StellarNet Dual DSR system pictured above uses a Y bifurcated fiber (F600-Y-UVSRNIR) to connect a BLACK-Comet-SR spectrometer and a RED-Wave NIR Spectrometer.  The entire system can be radiometrically calibrated over the range 200-1700nm. Above system pictured with Flash Capture Interface (FCI) that allows spectrometer to capture emission from flashing sources such as flashtubes and pulsed solar simulators.


BLACK-Comet
Solar irradiance monitor configuration- Direct Sun Light 
December Noon – Tampa, FL

Cosine Receptors- Solar Monitoring allow collection of light with an 180 field of view using demountable diffusers with ~10% loss.  The CR2-UVN is a 1/4” diameter cosine receptor using a special polymer diffuser for 200-1700nm. 
Cosine Receptor PDF