The Solar Radiometry (SRS) Section maintains and operates the World Standard Group which represents the World Radiometric Reference (WRR) . . .
WORLD RADIATION CENTER
Ultraviolet Radiometry
The objectives of the World Calibration Center for UV (WCC-UV) are to assess the data quality of the Global GAW UV network, and to harmonise UV measurements . . .
Atmospheric Turbidity
The World Optical Depth Res. & Calib. Center (WORCC) develops accurate radiometric references for spectral solar radiometry which are used to determine optical depth.
Infrared Radiometry
The Infrared Radiometry (IRS) Section maintains and operates the World Infrared Standard Group of Pyrgeometers (WISG) which represents . . .
Quality Management
PMOD/WRC, as a designated institute of the Swiss National Metrology Institute METAS and the World Meteorological Organization WMO, participates in the CIPM . . .
Radiation measurements are a fundamental part of meteorological observation and climate monitoring. Research has been conducted on solar irradiance at the Physical Meteorological Observatory in Davos (PMOD) since 1907. In 1971, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) gave the PMOD the additional mandate of serving as the World Radiation Center (WRC). The WRC plays a crucial role in maintaining quality standards in global climate monitoring programmes.
The WRC fields of activity are divided into four Sections, in which the measurement of solar radiation is the central focus of each one. While the PMOD/WRC develops new techniques and instruments to measure solar radiation, measured data is analysed and used for instance to investigate Climate Change.
- Develop, operate and maintain reference radiation instrumentation for solar and infrared (terrestrial) radiation as well as atmospheric turbidity measurements.
- Initiate and support initiatives for the homogenisation of world-wide radiation and aerosol optical depth measurements.
- Implement and maintain a Quality Management System according to ISO 17025.
- Perform research on the impact of solar and infrared radiation on Earth’s climate.