CORRECTION METHODS FOR THERMAL OFFSET ERRORS IN TBQ-2-B PYRANOMETERS

Due to the existence of thermal offsets, global solar irradiances measured by pyranometers are smaller than actual values, and errors are larger in the daytime. Until now, there is no universally-recognized correction method for thermal offset errors. Therefore, it is imperative to identify a convenient and effective correction method. Five correction methods were evaluated based on the data measured from a field experiment from 23 January to 15 November, 2011. Results have shown: 1) Temporal variation characteristics of thermal offsets in the four tested pyranometers are consistent. 2) Among the five methods, non-dimensional quantity method is suggested for use to correct thermal offsets, because it is convenient and no modification of instruments is required. If collocated net longwave radiation and wind speed data are available and their uncertainties are small, the historical solar radiation datasets can also be corrected. And correction effects by the method are better.