Experimental Evaluation of a Spectral Index to Characterize Temporal Variations in the Direct Normal Irradiance Spectrum

Abstract

A simple index is desirable to assess the effects on both flat-plate and concentrating photovoltaics of natural changes in the solar spectrum. Some studies have suggested that the relationship between the Average Photon Energy (APE) and the shape of individual global tilted irradiance, global horizontal irradiance, or direct normal irradiance (DNI) spectra is bijective and can therefore be used as a single number to unequivocally replace a complete spectral distribution. This paper reevaluates these studies with a modified methodology to assess whether a one-to-one relationship really exists between APE and spectral DNI. A 12-month dataset collected in Jaén (Spain) using a sun-tracking spectroradiometer provides the necessary spectral DNI data between 350 and 1050 nm. After quality control and filtering, 78,772 valid spectra were analyzed. The methodology is based on a statistical analysis of the spectral distributions binned in 0.02-eV APE intervals, from 1.74 to 1.90 eV. For each interval, both the standard deviation and coefficient of variation (CV) are determined across all 50-nm bands into which the 350–1050-nm waveband is divided. CV stays below 3.5% within the 450–900-nm interval but rises up to 13% outside of it. It is concluded that APE may be approximately assumed to uniquely characterize the DNI spectrum distribution for Jaén (and presumably for locations with similar climates) only over the limited 450–900-nm waveband.

Keywords

• spectral irradiance
• direct solar spectrum
• spectroradiometer
• average photon energy
• effective wavelength