LI-200 Pyranometer Sensor from LI-COR

The LI-200 Pyranometer is designed for field measurement of global solar radiation in agricultural, meteorological, and solar energy studies. In clear, unobstructed daylight conditions, the LI-COR pyranometer compares favorably with first class thermopile-type pyranometers (1, 4), but is priced at a fraction of the cost.

Patterned after the work of Kerr, Thurtell and Tanner (2), the LI-200 features a silicon photovoltaic detector mounted in a fully cosine-corrected miniature head. Current output, which is directly proportional to solar radiation, is calibrated against an Eppley Precision Spectral Pyranometer (PSP) under natural daylight conditions in units of watts per square meter (W m-2). Under most conditions of natural daylight, the error is < 5% (2).

The spectral response of the LI-200 does not include the entire solar spectrum, so it must be used in the same lighting conditions as those under which it was calibrated. Therefore, the LI-200 should only be used to measure unobstructed daylight. It should not be used under vegetation, artificial lights, in a greenhouse, or for reflected solar radiation.