Validation and use of a computer model of the solar radiation regime in open-top chambers

A mathematical model of the radiation distribution within open-top chambers has shown it to be quite different from the ambient incident distribution. This has important implications for the growth, development and pollution response of plants grown within these structures. Calculations made using the computer model are compared with data collected in field trials for two extreme conditions of climatological radiance, namely, a clear sky and a standard overcast sky. The spatial and temporal patterns of irradiance predicted by the model were confirmed. The model was then used as a basic design tool to study the effect of changing the dimensions of the chamber upon the energy received at plant height.