Equipment and services

The Atmospheric Physics Laboratory of the University of Patras owns equipment and provides related services involving meteorological data, measurements and assessments of solar radiation and energy, weather forecasts, and atmospheric pollution forecasts.

The Laboratory offers calibration (determination of the calibration factor) for Kipp & Zonen solar-radiation instruments (CM11, CMP11, CMP21, CMP22). Measurements are carried out in the Laboratory’s calibration chamber at the University of Patras. Absolute calibration can also be performed at the site where the instrument is installed, following an on-site visit for installation and comparative measurements using a reference, calibrated instrument. Upon completion of the measurements, a technical report is issued (in Greek and/or English) presenting all results.

This service involves solar-radiation measurements combined with the simultaneous outdoor exposure of various materials (e.g., plastic, fabric, wood, glass, metal, etc.) in order to determine the effects of solar-radiation exposure on those materials. Measurements are conducted under natural daylight conditions in an outdoor environment, over various exposure durations. Material exposure is accompanied by measurements of ambient temperature and relative humidity. After completion of the measurement period, a report is prepared (in Greek and/or English).

Solar-energy data covering the Greek territory for the last decade are available. The dataset has a spatial resolution of approximately 5 × 5 km² and is based on a computation algorithm that uses satellite data.

The Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Patras operates approximately 15 solar-radiation measuring instruments. These instruments are either installed at various stations across Greece (within the framework of the “Hellenic Solar Energy Network” program) or used in experimental campaigns, research studies, and related projects.