SP Lite2 Silicon Pyranometer0 pages

SP Lite2 Silicon Pyranometer
FOR COST EFFECTIVE MEASUREMENT OF GLOBAL RADIATION
Compact and lightweight
Designed for use under all weather conditions
Used around the world in meteorology, hydrology and agriculture
Ideal for solar energy applications

Introduction
The effects of solar radiation are far reaching and it drives the dynamic processes on the Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere. The
total (global) irradiance on a plane surface is measured by a pyranometer. Kipp & Zonen has been manufacturing pyranometers for
over 75 years and we produce models at all price and performance points, up to the very best available. However, some applications
require a small and relatively low cost sensor with a fast response time, whilst retaining Kipp & Zonen quality. Therefore we developed
the SP Lite2 Silicon Pyranometer.
SP Lite2 can be used under all weather conditions and is
designed for a long operating life with simple maintenance. The
sensor receives solar energy from the entire hemisphere in its
view and produces a small voltage output that can be converted
into the irradiance in Watts per square meter (W/m²).
SP Lite2 is installed around the world for meteorology,
hydrology, agriculture and building automation; where
reliable measurement at relatively low cost is required, and

the performance of a broadband thermopile pyranometer is
not needed.
SP Lite2 is particularly suited to monitoring the efciency of
photovoltaic solar energy systems, where the spectral
response is similar to that of PV cells. Solar radiation is also
a key input to decision making on activities such as product
quality control, determination of optimum location and
predicting the system output under various sky conditions.