This dataset contains measurements of downwelling short wave irradiance, measured in a small scale grid setup at Falkenberg: 20 sensors in 4 by 5 grid with a 50 meter grid spacing. Another 4 sensors were placed in all direction about 5 km away from the main grid at Falkenberg. The sampling rate is 10 Hz, to catch all irradiance variability, and is calibrated against a high quality sun tracker. The strength of this dataset is not the absolute accuracy, but rather the spatial measurements and ability to catch variability. Quality: Accuracy is estimated to be within 5% of a conventional pyranometer. Quality varies depending on weather type, but is best for high solar elevation angles (solar noon +/- 4 hours). Data is manually quality controlled, with detailed quality flags included in the dataset. Some anomalous data is not caught, in particular noisy data due to many insects on the sensor or small dirt from birds that reduces the signal slightly. These effects are much smaller than the driving weather patterns. The data is unsuitable for calculating radiation balances, but it is particularly useful for studying variability and patterns of solar irradiance on small scales. Funding: Dutch Research Council (NWO), Shedding Light On Cloud Shadows: VI.Vidi.192.068

Project: FESSTVaL (Field Experiment on submesoscale spatio-temporal variability in Lindenberg), a measurement campaign initiated by the Hans-Ertel-Center for Weather Research.