Incident solar radiation data at Odeillo solar furnaces

Abstract
The IMP-CNRS meteo station is located at the top of the 1 MW solar furnace building, it was completely renewed in 1996. The main objective of this station is to provide solar radiation data to solar facilities users. Direct, global and diffuse contributions of incident solar radiation are concerned. This paper presents the main characteristics of apparatus, acquisition and radiation data. Each scan of all data are collected at 0.5 Hz, stored by a central computer and processed. Hourly, daily and monthly average values are determined in order to quantify the available solar radiation. The instantaneous data are also available through an internal network to be used for solar furnace experimental data interpretation. Odeillo is characterized by a yearly direct solar power of 257 kWh/m², a global irradiation of 206 kWh/m², a total sunshine over 120 W/m² of 2598 hours and very high values of direct solar intensity : about 200 hours of solar irradiation larger than 1000 W/m².