BF5 Sunshine Sensor - solar radiation measurement

The BF5 Sunshine Sensor measures Global and Diffuse Radiation and sunshine duration.

The BF5 sunshine sensor is a multi-purpose solar radiation sensor. It uses an array of photodiodes with a unique computer-generated shading pattern to measure incident solar radiation. A microprocessor calculates the global and diffuse components of the radiation and determines the sunshine state.

KEY FEATURES:

• Measures global and diffuse radiation, and sunshine duration
• No routine adjustment or polar alignment
• No moving parts, shade rings or motorised tracking
• Outputs can be PAR (mmol.m-2.s-1), Energy (W.m-2) or Lux
• Features Integrated heater

Two analogue voltage outputs are provided, one for Global Radiation, and and one for Diffuse Radiation. The sunshine state is represented by a digital output (contact closure). The three outputs can be connected to appropriate channels on a wide variety of environmental data loggers, including the Delta-T Devices GP2 and DL2e.

The BF5 measures sunshine hours indirectly using a simple effective equation based on the total PAR radiation and the ratio of total to direct PAR. This algorithm corresponds closely to the World Met Office threshold of 120 W/m-2 in the solar beam for sunshine duration.

An internal heater keeps the BF5 clear of dew, ice and snow down to -20°C.

Typical building design and meteorological applications include integration into Building Energy Management Systems (BEMs), heat balance and natural light studies, and the monitoring of solar energy projects.