ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the most frequently made albedo measurements, including broadband solar and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), followed by a section that explains the usefulness of important but infrequently made spectral albedo measurements. It explains that the bidirectional reflectance function and why it is important to understanding the nature of solar radiation and focuses on how these measurements should be made, including calibration tips. Understanding surface albedo characteristics is important in renewable energy applications, atmospheric physics, agricultural research, oceanography, and climate studies. The peak spectral albedo over the PAR region occurs because the predominant absorption features are in the blue and red regions of the spectrum, giving a green reflective peak as a result. Broadband albedo measurements are best made with two broadband pyranometers of the same make and model mounted with one looking upward and one looking downward. Spectral albedo is becoming more important for climate science and satellite remote-sensing research; however, there are few options for all-weather measurements.
