Atmospheric attenuation measurement system for commercial solar plants based on optical spectrum analysis

Abstract

The measurement of the solar radiation attenuation is one of the main challenges in concentrating solar power technologies. This work presents a new strategy for this measurement, based on the analysis of the VIS and IR spectra, and its related system. The optical design of the system and its implementation in a central receiver solar power plant is described, and the experimental results are detailed. We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first measurements of the atmospheric attenuation spectrum in a solar power plant. This system provides direct measurements of real atmospheric attenuation values, which opens the way to analyze the impact of aerosols and meteorological conditions at surface level in this attenuation.