NOAA doesn't include solar data

[stevebrtx]

I have a request from my solar guys for more data and just realized the solar isn't being included in NOAA or Daily reports. I don't remember seeing any place to specify what data you want included.

Thanks

[Bushman]

There is no way to customize the WL NOAA reports.

[stevebrtx]

I was afraid of that. I just happened to pick that one, but I don't see solar reported on daily.txt or any of the other lists, it's being sent to wunderground but I'd like something like the NOAA daily/monthly listings.

[Bushman]

The 2 and 8 day download files have UV/solar etc.  http://geographyplanning.buffalostate.edu/Weatherlink/downld02.txt

[stevebrtx]

I'm not familiar with those, where are they?

[Bushman]

My bad.  Those are standard Weatherlink files and I realized that you are using VWS. Sorry.

[stevebrtx]

I do have WeatherLink, I wonder if I boot it from time to time if they would be in the logger? Might give it a try.
Thanks

[stevebrtx]

Ok, I got into the WeatherLink and downloaded, then browsed and exported a months worth of data. The export duplicated some data but that may have been my fault. I see Solar Rad., Solar Energy and Hi Solar Rad. My question is; what is the "hi solar rad"? I looked in the manual but didn't see anything. It's a value slightly higher than the Solar Rad.

[Bushman]

Solar rad is CURRENT  solar, whilst Hi is the day's highest solar rad.  There are WL tags for time of high solar rad as well if you roll your own reports.

[stevebrtx]

I've used all the tags, but when you look at the "HI" it follows the Rad. curve but is just a bit higher, when the curve starts back down so does it, so it's not a "ratchet" which sticks at the day high, I'm not sure it's of any value. For instance, yesterday the Solar Rad (peak) was 1031, the "HI" was 1035 and the last reading of the day was 3 while the HI was 7 - I may just pitch that column.

We live in the perfect place for solar, way south, lots of sun all year, even during the rainy season and the biggest incentive of all, our electricity is "dirty", erratic and nearly $.42 per KWH, so getting away from it and actually feeding back to the CFE makes sense. I don't know anything about solar so have been pulling out everything I can to see what the local solar folks can use as I learn.
http://chapalaweather.net/Solar.htm

[Bushman]

OK - maybe it is the high during the archive period?  I am just guessing since I do not have UV/solar (and am kicking myself for not getting it from the get-go).  And 42 cents a kwh!  WOW!

[stevebrtx]

I believe you are correct, that would make sense, I run on a 15 min cycle and so the one reading is at the 15 min mark and the other could be in between those times. I'll have to see what the solar guys think is useful.

I had UV with the OS station and because we're so far S, it maxed out most days, so I went with Solar on the Davis, but I think I'll add the UV this Fall when I make my buying trip to TX in Sept. I've also been looking at a quake detector, we've had some recently.

The CFE is a corrupt government monopoly, you'd think (or hope) for that price they'd kiss your feet and provide clean, consistent power - you'd be wrong. Last year they managed to blow out an almost new UPS/regulator. I've lost count of all the things they've zapped since I've been here. The worst thing is that sometimes it will go off in the morning for no reason, no storm, nothing and I have a small bar frig near the PC desk and it warms almost immediately, so whatever cerveza (beer) is in there has to be consumed right away before it gets warm and skunky - just part of the challenge of living in paradise. (I lean toward imported stuff, specifically "chicken beer" - or the actual label is "Gallo" which is rooster in Spanish, it's imported from Guatemala and at the current exchange rate is about $2.92 a six pak)