GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Contacts:
Dr Pierre Ineichen
Groupe de Physique Appliquée (GAP)
University of Geneva
4, chemin des Conches
1231 Conches, Switzerland
Tel : (41) 22 789 13 11
Fax : (41) 22 347 86 49
E-mail : pierre.ineichen@gap-e.unige.ch
Server : http://www.unige.ch/gap-e/


Station Location:
Geneva, Switzerland.
Latitude: 46°20' N
Longitude: 6°01' E
Height above sea level: 425 m.
Local Time: GMT+1

Code: CHE1
Type: Research class.
Operation:
Started in July 1991.

Topographic map showing the land
within a 5 km radius of the station location

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Site surroundings:

Geneva is situated in the South-West part of Switzerland. The measuring station is located in the center of the city, at the end of the Lake. The horizon obstruction due to buildings and mountains is not higher than 6° horizon.

Climate characteristics:

Climate is temperate maritime, with central europe continental influence and persistent nebulosity enhanced by blocking position due to surrounding mountains. Average temperature in January is 1°C and in July 20°C. Average annual sunshine duration is 1500 hours.

Map showing the immediate surroundings of the station

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Sampling Interval:
1 mn. (15 mn. for sky scan)
Recording Interval:
1 mn. (15 mn. for sky scan)

Illuminances:
Global horizontal: PRC910 GV
Diffuse horizontal: LiCor
Direct normal: LiCor + TubeGlobal
Vertical North: PRC910 GV
Vertical East: PRC910 GV
Vertical South: PRC910 GV
Vertical West: PRC910 GV

Irradiances:
Global horizontal: Kipp & Zonen CM 10
Diffuse horizontal: Kipp & Zonen CM 10
Direct normal: NIP Eppley
Vertical North: Kipp & Zonen CM 10
Vertical East: Kipp & Zonen CM 10
Vertical South: Kipp & Zonen CM 10
Vertical West: Kipp & Zonen CM 10

Others:
Zenith luminance: LiCor + Tube
Scanner: PRC Krochmann
2nd Scanner: EKO
Temperature: Rotronic
Wind: Schiltknecht
Humidity: Rotronic
Diffuse: Rotating Disk (until Sep.93)

Shadow band specifications:
Diffuse illuminance:
radius: 40.0 cm / width: 8.0 cm
Diffuse irradiance:
radius: 40.0 cm / width: 8.0 cm

Station map

Obstruction for the global
horizontal illuminance sensor

Comments

The PRC Krochmann 910 GV for the vertical illuminance measurement was modified with a honeycomb to eliminate the reflections on the instrument.
The normal beam illuminance instrument is a LiCor sensor mounted in a tube with the same geometry than the Eppley NIP.
Calibrations are done every 1 - 2 years against a Kipp & Zonen CM 10 and a LiCor sub-standard, calibrated at the WRC (Davos) and Institut of Metrology (Berne) respectively.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

View 1 of the station

Comments

This view is looking towards East. On the Eppley Solar tracker you can see the direct NIP, and the three illuminances with field angle 5,7°, 10° and 15°.

View 2 of the station

Comments

This view is looking towards South-South West. The 8/40 diffuse shadow band can be seen. Behind it, there is the PRC scanner.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Important modifications made to the acquisition system, recording interval modification, time during which the station was not operating...

Date

Comments

Jul 1, 91 to
Aug 20, 92		Small period of acquisition
Aug 20, 92Acquisition with: PRC sky scanner, PRC sun tracker, diffuse with rotating disk.
Oct 22, 92 to
Mar 9,93		PRC scanner removed from site, no sky scan.
Feb 23, 93 to
Mar 12, 93		Calibration, alignement, change of acquisition system.
Mar 9, 93PRC scanner reinstalled, calibration constant adjustement for the illuminance and irradiance sensors.
Apr 25, 93 to
Jul 11, 93		For some days condensation appeared in the PRC Krochmann scanner optic.
Apr 17, 93Change of the PRC scanner optic window
Jun 10, 93Installation of the EKO sky scanner
Jun 24, 93 to
Jul 11, 93		For some days condensation appeared in the EKO optic
Jun 25, 93Beam measurement with the Eppley sun tracker
Jul 1st, 93EKO scanner characterisation
Jul 23, 93 to
July 26, 93		Calibration of the 10° and 15° illuminance beam tubes
Sep 2,93 until
Sep 9, 93		PRC scanner out of order
Sep 9, 93Diffuse measurement with 8/40 shadowband, Acquisition with: PRC sky scanner + EKO scanner, Eppley sun tracker.

Last modification : March 28, 1997.
WebMaster IDMP : idmp.master@entpe.fr