A proposed working standard for the measurement of diffuse horizontal shortwave irradiance

Atmospheric radiative transfer model estimates of diffuse horizontal broadband shortwave (solar) irradiance have historically been larger than measurements from a shaded pyranometer. A reference standard for the diffuse horizontal shortwave irradiance does not exist. There are no current efforts to develop an absolute standard that are known to the authors. This paper presents the case for a working standard for this measurement. Four well‐behaved pyranometers from two previous intensive observation periods (IOP) were chosen for this study. The instruments were characterized for spectral and angular response before the IOP and calibrated during the IOP using a shade/unshade technique with reference direct irradiance from an absolute cavity radiometer. The results of the comparison and detailed analyses to explain the differences suggest selecting three of the four for the working standard. The 95% confidence uncertainty in this standard is estimated at 2.2% of reading + 0.2 W/m2. In lieu of a comparison to this trio, a procedure for obtaining low‐uncertainty diffuse horizontal shortwave irradiance is suggested.