Solar Radiation Measurement for Agriculture, Greenhouse & Crop Research Malaysia
Solar Radiation Measurement for Agriculture, Greenhouse & Crop Research Malaysia
Sunlight is an important environmental factor in agriculture, greenhouse studies and plant research.
But describing conditions simply as “sunny”, “cloudy” or “shaded” does not provide a quantitative solar radiation measurement.
A solar power meter allows users to measure incident solar radiation in W/m² (watts per square metre).
For agricultural field measurements and research applications requiring portable solar power measurement, the VICI LX-107 Solar Power Meter is one instrument that can be considered.
According to VICI, agriculture is among the intended application areas of the LX-107.
Why Measure Solar Radiation in Agriculture?
Plants depend on light and solar energy, but agricultural environments can vary significantly.
Solar radiation may differ because of:
Time of day
Cloud cover
Haze
Shade structures
Greenhouse materials
Tree canopy
Building shadows
Crop arrangement
Measurement location
Seasonal conditions
Instead of relying only on visual observation, a solar power meter provides a numerical measurement.
For example:
Solar radiation: ______ W/m²
This allows conditions to be documented and compared.
What Does W/m² Mean?
W/m² means:
Watts per square metre
It describes incident radiant power over an area.
A higher W/m² reading indicates greater incident radiant power under the measurement conditions.
For agricultural work, this may be useful when comparing different field locations or environmental conditions.
Solar Radiation Measurement for Greenhouses
Greenhouses are one potential application.
Solar radiation outside a greenhouse can differ from the radiation measured inside because of the greenhouse covering and structure.
A researcher may perform comparative measurements such as:
Outside greenhouse: ______ W/m²
Inside greenhouse: ______ W/m²
This can provide useful field information when comparing solar radiation conditions.
However, measurement procedures need to be consistent.
Changing weather conditions can affect the comparison.
Comparing Greenhouse Covering Materials
Different greenhouse covering materials may transmit solar radiation differently.
A basic comparative test could involve measuring solar radiation:
Before the covering material
and
After the covering material
under controlled and repeatable conditions.
Important factors include:
Sensor orientation
Measurement position
Time
Cloud conditions
Material position
Shading
For formal material specification or certification, appropriate laboratory methods and specialised instruments may be required.
A handheld field comparison should not automatically be treated as certified material-performance testing.
Solar Radiation Under Shade Netting
Shade netting is widely used in agricultural environments.
A portable solar power meter can support comparative measurements such as:
Open sunlight: ______ W/m²
Under shade net: ______ W/m²
This provides a numerical comparison of measured solar radiation under the specific test conditions.
It can be more informative than describing the area simply as “more shaded”.
Measuring Different Areas of a Farm
Solar radiation may vary across an agricultural site.
Potential reasons include:
Trees
Buildings
Hills
Greenhouses
Shade structures
Crop canopy
Orientation
Time of day
A portable meter allows users to move between locations and obtain spot measurements.
For meaningful comparison, measurements should be performed using a consistent method.
Can Solar Radiation Change Quickly?
Yes.
Passing clouds can cause readings to change within a short period.
For example:
Location A measured at 10:00 AM
and
Location B measured at 10:30 AM
may not have experienced the same solar conditions.
Therefore, when comparing locations, record:
Time
Weather
W/m² reading
Sensor orientation
Measurement location
If conditions change significantly, repeat the measurements where appropriate.
Haze and Agricultural Solar Measurement
Haze can also influence the solar radiation reaching the ground.
Particles in the atmosphere can scatter and absorb solar radiation.
For agricultural research, users studying environmental conditions may therefore combine several measurements depending on the project.
These might include:
Solar radiation
Temperature
Relative humidity
Air quality
Soil conditions
Water quality
Other environmental parameters
Each instrument measures a different part of the agricultural environment.
Solar Power Meter vs Lux Meter in Agriculture
A solar power meter and lux meter should not automatically be treated as equivalent.
Solar Power Meter
Measures incident radiant power, such as W/m².
Lux Meter
Measures illuminance in lux, weighted according to human visual response.
The correct instrument depends on the research question.
If the requirement is solar power per unit area, W/m² is relevant.
If the requirement is illuminance, a lux meter is appropriate.
Is W/m² the Same as PAR?
No.
This is particularly important for agricultural and plant researchers.
Solar irradiance in W/m² and Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) are different measurement concepts.
A general solar power meter should not automatically be presented as a PAR meter or quantum sensor.
If the research requires photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) or another PAR-related measurement, use an instrument specifically designed for that parameter.
The VICI LX-107 measures solar power; it is not a substitute for every plant-light measurement instrument.
When Should You Use a PAR Meter Instead?
If the research question is specifically related to the photons available for photosynthesis, a dedicated PAR/PPFD instrument may be required.
Applications can include:
Controlled plant growth research
Grow-light evaluation
Photosynthesis studies
Horticultural lighting
Detailed crop-light research
If the requirement is broader solar radiation measurement in W/m², a solar power meter may be appropriate.
Selecting the instrument according to the actual parameter is essential.
VICI LX-107 for Agricultural Applications
The VICI LX-107 Solar Power Meter is designed for portable solar power measurement.
Useful functions include:
W/m² Measurement
For incident solar power measurement.
BTU Display
Provides an alternative measurement unit for relevant applications.
MAX / MIN
Useful for observing variation during a measurement period.
Data Hold
Allows the displayed reading to be held for convenient recording.
Its portable format makes it suitable for moving between different field measurement locations.
Using MAX/MIN Outdoors
Agricultural measurements often take place under changing outdoor conditions.
MAX/MIN functionality can help users observe variation during a measurement period.
However, when comparing two locations, users should still consider whether the measurements were taken under comparable weather conditions.
A maximum reading at one time should not automatically be compared with an instantaneous reading taken much later.
Example Greenhouse Measurement Record
A simple record might include:
Date: __________
Time: __________
Weather: __________
Location: Outside / Inside Greenhouse
Solar radiation: __________ W/m²
Temperature: __________ °C
Relative humidity: __________ %RH
Covering material: __________
Sensor orientation: __________
Remarks: __________
This provides better documentation than a description such as “bright sunlight”.
Agricultural Research Applications
Portable solar radiation measurements may support research involving:
Greenhouse environments
Shade comparison
Crop field conditions
Agricultural structures
Solar exposure
Environmental monitoring
Solar drying research
Agricultural engineering
University experiments
The exact instrument required depends on the study design and measurement parameter.
Solar Drying Applications
Solar energy is also relevant to agricultural drying.
Researchers or engineers studying solar drying conditions may want to record solar radiation alongside parameters such as:
Temperature
Humidity
Drying time
Product moisture
Airflow
A W/m² measurement provides information about the available incident solar power during the experiment.
It does not replace the other measurements required for a complete drying study.
University and Agricultural Laboratory Use
Universities and research institutions may also use portable solar power meters for:
Student experiments
Environmental studies
Agricultural engineering projects
Solar energy demonstrations
Comparative field measurements
Laboratory exercises
The LX-107 can be considered where straightforward portable solar power measurement matches the experimental requirement.
Who Should Consider a Solar Power Meter?
Potential users include:
Agricultural Researchers
For field solar radiation measurements.
Greenhouse Operators
For basic comparison of solar conditions.
Agricultural Engineers
For environmental and solar-related projects.
Universities
For teaching and research.
Government and Research Institutions
For relevant field measurement projects.
Plantation and Farm Technical Teams
For applications requiring solar radiation spot measurements.
Solar Radiation Meter for Agriculture Malaysia
For agricultural users who need portable W/m² measurements, the VICI LX-107 provides a straightforward solar power measurement option.
However, buyers should first identify the actual parameter required.
Need W/m²? → Solar power / irradiance meter
Need illuminance? → Lux meter
Need PAR or PPFD? → Appropriate PAR / quantum measurement instrument
This avoids purchasing the wrong meter for the research objective.
VICI LX-107 Solar Power Meter Supplier Malaysia
MTM Precision supplies testing and measurement instruments for agriculture, environmental monitoring, research, solar, industrial and engineering applications in Malaysia.
Customers can contact MTM Precision for the VICI LX-107 Solar Power Meter and assistance identifying suitable instruments for environmental measurement applications.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
WhatsApp: 016-660 7346
Showroom & Service Centre
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Serving customers throughout Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak.
Need a solar radiation meter for agriculture, greenhouse or research applications? Contact MTM Precision for VICI LX-107 availability and suitable environmental measurement instruments in Malaysia.
08 Sep 2026
