Pyranometer vs. Pyrheliometer

Pyranometernoun

An actinometer used to measure solar radiation incident on a surface.

Pyranometer

A pyranometer is a type of actinometer used for measuring solar irradiance on a planar surface and it is designed to measure the solar radiation flux density (W/m2) from the hemisphere above within a wavelength range 0.3 μm to 3 μm. The name pyranometer stems from the Greek words πῦρ (pyr), meaning , and ἄνω (ano), meaning .

Pyrheliometernoun

A device that measures the intensity of solar radiation received on the surface of the earth.

Pyrheliometernoun

An instrument for measuring the direct heating effect of the sun's rays.

Pyrheliometer

A pyrheliometer is an instrument for measurement of direct beam solar irradiance. Sunlight enters the instrument through a window and is directed onto a thermopile which converts heat to an electrical signal that can be recorded.