Utilizing smartphone sensors for accurate solar irradiance measurement and educational purposes

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how smartphone sensors can accurately measure solar irradiance and be used as educational tools to enhance understanding of solar energy and atmospheric interactions, especially in resource-limited settings.

Contribution

It introduces calibration methods for smartphone sensors to measure solar irradiance and develops an educational laboratory for solar radiation physics.

Findings

Smartphone sensors can be calibrated for solar irradiance measurement.

The method enables solar resource assessment in resource-constrained environments.

Educational activities improve understanding of solar radiation and atmospheric effects.

Abstract

The global transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy production is a major challenge. We present an innovative solution by utilizing smartphone light sensors to measure direct normal solar irradiance, the primary component of ground-level solar radiation. We provide comprehensive guidelines for calibrating the sensor using two methods: a professional reference measurement and clear-sky satellite estimates. The latter method is particularly advantageous in resource-constrained environments. Once calibrated, the smartphone becomes a valuable tool for measuring the solar resource. We propose an instructional laboratory focusing on the physics of solar radiation and its interaction with the Earth's atmosphere, exploring solar variations across locations, cloud conditions, and time scales. By integrating irradiance values measured throughout a day the daily irradiation can be estimated. This approach enhances students' understanding of solar radiation attenuation and its relationship with atmospheric interactions. This method offers a practical and educational solution for promoting renewable energy knowledge and addressing the challenges of the energy transition.