Spectral Model Software
To generate a large volume of spectral data, the user can quickly download the raw data from the SolarSIM, then use the SolarSG software provided by Spectrafy to generate Spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm), Aerosol transmission, Ozone transmission, and Water vapor transmission (all vs wavelength from 280-4000nm). Note: The SolarSIM-G only provides Spectral Irradiance.
Required steps:
- Download one or more day's worth of SolarSIM raw data from MIDC using the "All Raw Data" option (or the MIDC API). Be sure the to save as a single file in ASCII format.
- Download the Spectrafy SolarSG v4.42 software, NREL Raw Data formatting software, and calibration file† contained in this compressed file (2.92MB ZIP File, created 2021-Jun-18).
- Extract all files to a folder on a Windows based computer.
- Drag and drop the single raw data file downloaded from MIDC onto the midc2ssg.exe (or midc2ssg-g.exe for SolarSIM-G) formatting software (or specify raw data filename as command line argument to executable).
- New files will be created in the same folder as MIDC raw data file organized in daily files in the format required by SolarSG.
- Be sure the SolarSG formatted files are in the same folder as SolarSG.exe. Also be sure that only one calibration file for the associated serial number instrument is in the folder (rename or delete any other json file).
- Run the SolarSG software by double clicking on SolarSG.exe.
- The SolarSG will start processing the data, it will take several minutes depending on data volume.
- When the SolarSG software is complete, it will create a "processed data/direct/spectra", "processed data/direct/daily_summary_files", and "archive" folders. Note: For the SolarSIM-G, the subdirectory "direct" will be "global" instead.
- The "spectra" folder contains sub folders based on the date, inside those sub folders is the spectral data vs wavelength as described in data file header (all from 280-4000nm).
- The "daily summary files" folder contains addition information vs time, such as broadband irradiance, ozone, water vapor, and 500nm aerosol optical depth (see data file header). Note: For the SolarSIM-G, only broadband irradiance is available.
- The "archive" folder contains the original input data to SolarSG.
†In the future, the user will need to download a separate dated calibration file that is appropriate for measured data.