Intercomparison of ground-based and space solar flux measurements

Abstract

Detailed temporal measurements of the solar flux at one location are performed. These data are then analyzed and compared to the potential of space measurements which allow one to consider the flux falling on areas of the earth. An important result of the research is that the temporal characteristics of the flux in the presence of a real atmosphere would be difficult to obtain from space and that the variations in the flux can be highly significant in regard to most solar conversion schemes. The detailed results of the research are presented. The instruments developed to separate the direct and scattered solar flux, the computer analysis methods developed, and the results of the research, presented as both graphical and tabular data, are discussed