SolData Instruments
Silkeborg, Denmark

Measure solar irradiance

Standard SolData 80SPC instrument for measuring global solar irradiance. An output of 160 mV from the pyranometer corresponds to 1000 watts per square meter.

80SPC Specifications in PDF Format
Data collection with HOBO datalogger
Data collection with Science Workshop

80spq type pyranometers are subjected to a shock test. Instruments fall on a test cart through a 2 meter vertical drop reaching an acceleration of 6G when striking the stop.

Cart accelerationen was measured using a Vernier motion sensor with bluetooth connection to a PC. The accelerationen during the abrupt stop was about 6 G's.

Davis Mark 15 sextant

The sextant is designed for professional use. It is from Davis Instruments in California, USA.

Price: EUR 189- (DKK 1395-) ex. moms.

A less expensive, simpler student model is also available: Davis Mark 3 sextant.

Price: EUR 65- (DKK 489-) ex. moms.

UVAB DETECTOR

This UV detector detects UV radiation from 280-400 nanometers. The instrument is supplied in a solid carrying case and includes a wand mount for the sensor. Two sensitivity ranges permit measurement of a wide range of UV irradiance.

Price: EUR 189- (DKK 1395-) ex. moms.

Telescope Project

The telescope project is supplied with an objective (40 mm), ocular and cardboard tubes for making a Newtonian telescope. The directions include a target which can be used for finding the optical resolution of the device.

One ea. DKK 75, 3 ea. DKK 210 ex. moms incl. instructions for construction and use.

Collect solar irradiance data

Datalogger for collection of solar radiation and other data. This HOBO U12-008 has four channels, is battery powered and can collect data for up to 6 months. Requires HOBOware software for setup and download.

Data collection with HOBO datalogger

Teaching materials - LIGHT

(available in Danish or English)

Measure solar irradiance

Standard SolData 80SPC instrument for measuring global solar irradiance. An output of 160 mV from the pyranometer corresponds to 1000 watts per square meter.

80SPC Specifications in PDF Format
Data collection with HOBO datalogger
Data collection with Science Workshop

SolData Optics Table in Antarctica

SolData optics table on board the Danish research vessel Vædderen (January 2007). Mountains of the Palmer Peninsula and whales are visible in the background.

SolData Pyranometer to Ice Cap

A SolData pyranometer accompanies meteorologist Charlotte Autzen to Summit, Greenland, to measure solar irradiance and the albedo (reflectance) of ice and snow. Charlotte works at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Southern Denmark in Odense.

Galathea data click here

Data from the SolData optics table is available to students and teachers for use in problem solving or science projects.

These students from Silkeborg Gymnasium in Denmark were among the winners of the 2008 "Young Researchers" competition. Their project: Background Radiation Measurements from the Galathea Expedition.

Eva Nielsen, Silkeborg Gymnasium, was among the winners in the 2007 Galathea-competition for secondary school students. The project: "Sunshine all over the world" was based on analysis of SolData Optics Table data.

RELEVANT LINKS

Galathea 3 homepage (English)

Satellite Eye homepage (English)

Jyllands-Postens Galathea pages (Danish)

North Sun 2007 meeting in Riga, Latvia, May 2007
ISES World Congress, Beijing, September 2007







SolData Galathea results were presented at the International Solar Energy Society Congress, Beijing, Sept. 2007.

UV METER - type 105UVM


UV Meter for measuring ultraviolet intensity (UVI). Output signal for a datalogger available.

UV Meter Specifications (PDF)

104DM DISPLAY MODULE


The pyranometer output signal can be displayed on a digital display module. The module is programmable, so that e.g. solar irradiance can be displayed directly in watts per square meter. An optional add-on is a 0-20 mA current loop output for datalogging the pyranometer signal. An alarm relay add-on is also available.

104DM Specifications in PDF Format

80SPT HEATED PYRANOMETER


The 80SPT is a heated version which keeps the cell surface free of frost and snow. It is well-suited for use in harsh, cold climates. (The left-hand instrument in the photo is unheated and covered with morning frost.)
80SPT Specifications in PDF Format

105HP HANDHELD PYRANOMETER


The 105HP Handheld Pyranometer provides the solar irradiance directly in watt/m2 on a digital display. The output terminals yield about 100 millivolts per kilowatt/m2.
105HP Specifications in PDF Format

LUX DETECTOR

The LUX detector follows the CIE eye response curve very closely. It provides correct results for a wide range of source color temperatures.

CIE PHOTOPIC RESPONSE

The CIE (Commission International d'Eclairage) photopic response curve describes the daylight sensitivity of the average human eye as a function of wavelength.

SolData pyrheliometers in the Arctic

SolData pyrheliometers collecting data 800 nautical miles from the North Pole at 76.5 N latitude. The broad band instrument measures direct solar radiation from 300-1100 nm. The narrow band (10 nm) instruments measure radiation at 368, 500, 1030 and 1550 nm.

Solar elevation angles at Thule Air Base during the year.

Standing waves demo

The apparatus consists of two motors and a set of LED's all controlled by a microprocessor. The motor speeds and strobe frequencies/colors can also be controlled manually. Impressive wave forms result including standing waves as shown here.

Price: EUR 57- (DKK 429-) ex. moms.