DATA FROM SOLAR COLLECTOR SIMULATION SITE PHOENIX, ARIZONA Field Set-up Figure A-l presents the lay-out of how various abiotic parameters were spatially sampled in the simulated collector array. In order to minimize overall site disturbance, two collectors were chosen between which all the abiotic sampling was conducted. The collector under which measurements were made is the central collector in the 9-collector array now present on the desert site near Phoenix. This collector was sampled in order to minimize edge effect as much as possible. The dashed arrows indicate the presence of neighboring collectors as shown in the small diagram in the corner of the figure. Figure A-l shows the placement of soil moisture blocks, maximum-minimum thermometer stands, and a cup-type anemometer. The control site is located approximately 100 meters to the north of the array. The location of the open desert control site was selected in order to remove the influence of climatic variables caused by the array and yet still be close enough to have test and control sites with the same soil type and geomorphology. Air Movement (Wind) Two totalizing cup anemometers were placed in the field in order to get estimates of relative daily wind speeds. The anemometer in the collector array was placed mid-way between two panels on a north-south axis (Figure A-l) so that it would only be influenced by wind penetrating the array. The cup level of each anemometer was approximately 20 cm off of the ground. Table A-l gives a summary of air movement for the two sites during three sampling intervals in December. In all three cases air movement at 20 cm was reduced within the array. This reduction appears to become more significant as total air movement decreased. An explanation for this is the possibility that increased turbulence in the array counteracts the shielding effect of the array, causing surface air movement to approach what is occurring in the open. However, with reduced wind, calm conditions appear to be more prevalent within the array, as small gusts are apparently deflected by the collectors.
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