 |
SOLAR IRRADIANCE PLATFORM |
Space
Environment Technologies
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A Quick-Reference Guide to the Solar Irradiance Platform
The Solar Irradiance Platform (SIP), formerly the SOLAR2000 irradiance specification tool, produces the variable, full solar spectrum in assorted spectral formats for historical, nowcast, and forecast applications. In addition, it produces an array of solar irradiance and thermospheric proxies.
The Solar Irradiance Platform is a available at a very reasonable cost for individual or institutional customers (click here for pricing and ordering information). A single-use 30-day evaluation version of SIP is available. If you order the license, and activate it with a order number key, it will operate according to the type of license purchased. Note that various incentives for 1-year licenses are offered.
(Click on the image at right for a larger image and additional information)
Scroll down, or click on a topic heading to learn more about a specific Solar Irradiance Platform topic:
Ordering Solar Irradiance Platform Products
To order the professional-grade Solar Irradiance Platform product, which provides a number of additional indices providing historical, nowcast, and forcast data, please use our secure Solar Irradiance Platform Online Form. You can use a credit card for immediate licensing, or print out an order form to mail, fax, or email to Space Environment Technologies.
Mail orders should be mailed to Space Environment Technologies, 1676 Pallisades Dr., Pacific Pallisades, CA 90272-2211, USA. Alternatively, a fax can be sent to SET at 310-454-9665 or an email to spacenvironment@spacenvironment.net.
Solar Irradiance Platform Version, Evaluation Version
You can download and install a complete single-use evaluation version of SIP via our SET registration page. SIP will expire after 30 days of use, and SIP will operate only with a limited set of historical data. Please note that you must register and use a license key to run SIP, and the ITT IDL application is necessary.
Downloading and Installing the Solar Irradiance Platform
Please review the following sections prior to starting to download the Solar Irradiance Platform:
LICENSE AGREEMENT PRODUCT BACKGROUND AND APPLICATIONS SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS PUBLICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (NOTICE TO RESEARCHERS) USER GUIDE UPGRADES AND RELEASE NOTES (Milestones)
- A quick-look SIP/IDLVM installation guide in a nutshell is available, or the following instructions can be used:
1. Click Download Now to go directly to the SIP download site (most users should use the SIP_Professional_Grade version), or alternatively:
- paste the following URL in your browser window:
ftp://spcusr:usrspc@sol.spacenvironment.net/
- Note: some browsers or firewalls may prevent this browser ftp method, so use the ftp method described below.
- or, use the following ftp commands in a terminal window or ftp application:
ftp sol.spacenvironment.net
The username is: spcusr, and the password is usrspcDepending on local firewall or encryption configurations (it will appear that ftp fails to respond), it may be necessary to toggle the ftp passive mode by typing "epsv4" immediately after logging in.
2. Your browser or ftp application will display ftp directories, and which will contain a manual and several folders:
- SIP_Professional_Grade (free 30-day evaluation version)
- SIP_System_Grade (special IDL-callable version)
- ancillary_docs - these folders contain related publications to the Solar Irradiance Platform and former SOLAR2000 (both compressed and uncompressed versions)
- README.txt
- SOLAR2000_PG_MANUAL.pdf
Change to the appropriate directory. Click one of the files, or use the ftp command "get" to begin the download, saving it to a directory of your choosing. Unzip the file on your computer and, if you wish, place the new SIP folder in the desired subdirectory or folder on your computer. See 'Decompression Instructions' below.
Decompression Instructions: After downloading the tar.Z file (binary format) with either a .zip extension for Windows or MacIntosh, or .tar.Z for Unix systems use these tips for decompressing the file into it's component files:
For Windows 98/NT:
a. Move to any folder/directory as a default (e.g., SIPrg) which will contain all the files that will be necessary to run SIP. You may need to create this folder: it will serve as the default IDL working directory to run SIP.
b. Open a Zip application, e.g., Aladdin StuffIt Expander. If you don't have a Zip file application, they are widely available on the Internet.
c. Unzip the downloaded zip file. Note: Depending on the application, this may be a two-step process. Because of the wide variety of decompression applications, you will need to follow the instructions provided with the application.
d. All the necessary files should be should be created under an additional SIP subdirectory. You may want to rename or move this subdirectory with all it's files to another location of your choosing. Note: you will need to have full read/write/execute privileges to all the files.
e. Read the s2k_readme text file, which contains the license agreement and IDL SIP instructions for running the model.
For Unix:
a. Move to a directory above any directory as a default (e.g., SIPrg) that will contain all the files necessary to run SIP. You may need to create this folder: it will serve as the default IDL working directory to run SIP. Note: you will need to have full read/write/execute privileges to all the files.
b Type uncompress file_name.tar.Z
c. Type tar -xvf ./file_name.tar (e.g., file_name.tar).
d. Read the s2k_readme text file, which contains the license agreement and IDL SIP instructions for running the model.
For Apple Mac OS X:
a. Move to a directory above any directory as a default (e.g., SIPrg) that will contain all the files necessary to run SIP. You may need to create this folder: it will serve as the default IDL working directory to run SIP.
b. Double-click the compressed file (or open a Zip application such as Aladdin StuffIt Expander).
c. All the necessary files should be should be created under an additional SIP subdirectory. You may want to rename or move this subdirectory with all it's files to a more convenient location.
d. Read the s2k_readme text file, which contains the license agreement and IDL SIP instructions for running the model.
Now follow the IDL instructions for running the Solar Irradiance Platform. See 'Running SIP'. Please note that you must register and use a license key to run SIP.
Getting the Required ITT/IDL GUI application
The Solar Irradiance Platform requires IDL© from ITT Visual Information Solutions (version 6.1 or higher for licensed IDL users).
For users without an IDL license, the Solar Irradiance Platform model is also accessed by the IDL virtual machine which can be freely downloaded from ITT.
To download the IDL Virtual Machine, visit the ITT Visual Information Solutions website and log in, or register to create a new account. Once you are logged in, visit the IDL Virtual Machine webpage, and choose Download under resources.
Solar Irradiance Platform (SOLAR2000) License Agreement
This is a legal agreement between you, SpaceWx.com, and W. Kent Tobiska ('Tobiska') covering your use of the Solar Irradiance Platform (SIP, SOLAR2000). Be sure to read the following agreement before using the software. By installing or using the software, you indicate your unconditional acceptance of the terms of this agreement. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE AND DESTROY ALL COPIES OF IT.
The copyrighted SIP software is distributed by Space Environment Technologies (SET) and is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions. Therefore, you must treat the software like any other copyrighted material (e.g. a book or musical recording).
Commercial distribution of the software is prohibited without permission of SET/SpaceWx. We are more than happy to allow you to distribute our software, but you must first have a distribution license to do so. Contact SpaceWx.com for details on obtaining a distribution license.
You may not rent, lease, or sell the software to third parties, nor may you modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the software. If you violate any part of this agreement, your right to use this software terminates automatically and you then must destroy all copies of this software in your possession.
The software and related documentation are provided 'AS IS' and without warranty of any kind. SPACE ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGIES, SPACEWX.COM, AND TOBISKA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ANY WRITTEN OR ORAL INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY SPACEWX.COM OR TOBISKA, THEIR AGENTS, DISTRIBUTORS, OR EMPLOYEES, SHALL NOT IN ANY WAY BE CONSTRUED AS GRANTING OR CREATING A WARRANTY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL SPACEWX.COM OR TOBISKA BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, INFORMATION, OR GOODWILL) THAT RESULT FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE OR RELATED DOCUMENTATION , EVEN IF SPACEWX.COM OR TOBISKA HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Agreement, or portion thereof, to be unenforceable, that provision of the Agreement shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intent of the parties, and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
If you are a U.S. Government user, the software and documentation is provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.227.14. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the all users is subject to the restrictions above. The manufacturer is SpaceWx.com.
All rights of SET/SpaceWx may be exercised or enforced.
