Uses of sunshine duration to estimate the global solar radiation over eight meteorological stations in Egypt

The climatological Ångstrom regression coefficients have been determined by three methods and used to predict the global solar radiation over eight meteorological stations. Each of the three methods depends on the correlation between two ratios. The first ratio is between the long period of monthly average sunshine duration and the corresponding maximum of daily sunshine duration (day length) N, and the second ratio is between the measured monthly average daily global solar radiation and the corresponding monthly mean daily extraterrestrial solar radiation on the horizontal surface ₀. A comparison between the measured data and the estimated values has been done. The t-statistics is used as a statistical indicator to choose the coefficients of the best method that gives a percentage of error less than 10%.     

Diffuse solar radiation estimates from sunshine hours and clearness index for Karachi, Pakistan

Correlations for the estimation of monthly average daily diffuse solar radiation as a function of the sunshine hours and clearness index have been obtained from Karachi. Generally, two types of correlations are used: (a) diffuse radiation as a function of relative sunshine hours and extraterrestrial radiation, and (b) diffuse radiation as a function of global and extraterrestrial radiation. These correlations are mostly first- and second-order polynomials in the sunshine hours and clearness index, indicating the presence of the diffuse solar radiation component. The diffuse solar radiation shows a peak value during the monsoon months of July–August. The diffuse to global ratio is found to be 0.32 from the analysis, and the diffuse to extraterrestrial radiation ratio is nearly 0.19 throughout the year. Among the established relations, Iqbal and Stanhill overestimate the radiation value, while Liu and Jordan underestimate it.     

A comparison of estimated and measured values of solar radiation in Elazi , Turkey

In this study, variation of global solar radiation reaching the Elazi region at hourly and monthly average daily periods was examined measuring daily global solar radiation between April 1994 and March 1995 by a Kipp–Zonen pyranometer. Taking the measured values as reference, the statistical performance of the three equations used in estimating the monthly average global solar radiation was investigated. Secondly, it was shown that ‘bright sunshine hours/daylength’ and its standard derivation could be used to estimate the monthly daily ‘solar radiation/extraterrestrial radiation’ by applying the maximum likelihood quadratic fit method to the data taken from the state Meteorological Office in Elazi between 1983–1994.     

Monthly ratios of PAR to global solar radiation measured at northern Tibetan Plateau, China

Using narrowband and broadband solar radiation measurements collected at Wudaoliang (WDL) site in northern Tibetan Plateau (NTP) from September 1993 to December 1998, the relationship between monthly photosynthetically active radiation (Q_P) and global solar radiation (R_S) values is analyzed. Temporal variability of the ratio (Q_P/R_S) and its further dependence on several meteorological variables are presented. The narrowband ratio exhibited diurnal and seasonal variability with high values during morning and afternoon hours and low values around noon in winter time, whereas during summer period the ratio was decreased from morning to afternoon. The ratio (Q_P/R_S) was correlated positively with several atmospheric parameters such as water vapor pressure and low-level cloud amount; in contrast, the ratio was negatively correlated with clearness index, relative sunshine duration and atmospheric turbidity. It was also found that both the relative sunshine duration and water vapor pressure are the most influential parameters on the estimations of the spectral PAR ratio. Finally, an empirically derived model is proposed for estimating monthly average PAR values over the northern Tibetan Plateau. Verification results further ensured that the proposed model predicts monthly global PAR values accurately.     

Estimation of global solar radiation on horizontal surfaces in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The measured data of global solar radiation on a horizontal surface, as well as the number of sunshine hours, mean daily ambient temperature, maximum and minimum ambient temperatures, relative humidity and amount of cloud cover, for Jeddah (latitude 21° 42′37″N, longitude 39° 11′12″E), Saudi Arabia for the period 1996–2006 are analyzed. The data are divided into two sets. The sub-data set 1 (1996–2004) are employed to develop empirical correlations between the monthly average of daily global solar radiation fraction (H/H₀) and various meteorological parameters. The nonlinear Angström type model developed by Sen and the trigonometric function model proposed by Bulut and Büyükalaca are also evaluated. New empirical constants for these two models have been obtained for Jeddah. The sub-data set 2 (2005, 2006) are then used to evaluate the derived correlations. Comparisons between measured and calculated values of H have been performed. It is indicated that, the Sen and Bulut and Büyükalaca models satisfactorily describe the horizontal global solar radiation for Jeddah. All the proposed correlations are found to be able to predict the annual average of daily global solar radiation with excellent accuracy. Therefore, the long term performance of solar energy devices can be estimated.     

Estimation of monthly mean daily diffuse radiation in China

In this study, several equations are employed to estimate monthly mean daily diffuse solar radiation for eight typical meteorological stations in China. Estimated values are compared with measured values in terms of statistical error tests such as mean percentage error (MPE), mean bias error (MBE), root mean square error (RMSE). All the models fit the data adequately and can be used to estimate monthly mean daily diffuse solar radiation from global solar radiation and sunshine hours. This study finds that the quadratic model performed better than the other models:     

A method for estimating monthly global solar radiation

In this paper a method is followed for estimating monthly totals of global solar radiation from a combination of calculations of monthly cloudless global solar radiation, surface meteorological observations, and empirical formulae relating sunshine duration to global solar radiation. The percent deviation of calculated from observed values is not negligible, but is much less than errors obtained by using extraterrestrial solar radiation totals. In case of values of monthly global solar radiation which are estimated for other regions, the resulted possible errors should be determined again. Some techniques leading to adaptation of the regression equations for other areas are argued.     

Measurement of solar energy radiation in Abu Dhabi,UAE

This paper presents data on measurement of actual solar radiation in Abu Dhabi (24.43°N, 54.45°E). Global solar radiation and surface temperatures were measured and analyzed for one complete year. High resolution, real-time solar radiation and other meteorological data were collected and processed. Daily and monthly average solar radiation values were calculated from the one-minute average recorded values. The highest daily and monthly mean solar radiation values were 369 and 290 W/m², respectively. The highest one-minute average daily solar radiation was 1041 W/m². Yearly average daily energy input was 18.48 MJ/m²/day. Besides the global solar radiation, the daily and monthly average clearness indexes along with temperature variations are discussed. When possible, global solar energy radiation and some meteorological data are compared with corresponding data in other Arab state capitals. The data collected indicate that Abu Dhabi has a strong potential for solar energy capture.     

Monthly average daily global solar radiation in P.D.R. Yemen

In this paper a study has been made to estimate average global radiation using hours of bright sunshine and measured solar radiation data available for six locations in P.D.R. Yemen. For Aden, data were obtained from Aden Airport. For other locations in P.D.R. Yemen data were obtained from Agricultural Research Center's meteorological sections. Linear regression analysis of the monthly average global radiation and the sunshine duration data of six locations has been performed using the least squares technique. All the above mentioned data have been used in Ångström's correlation to find the monthly average daily global solar radiation. Results obtained are useful for any solar energy system application in P.D.R. Yemen.     

Solar radiation models—A review

Solar radiation models for predicting the average daily and hourly global radiation, beam radiation and diffuse radiation on horizontal surface are reviewed in this article. Estimations of monthly average hourly global radiation from daily summations are discussed. It was observed that Collares‐Pereira and Rabl model as modified by Gueymard (CPRG) yielded the best performance for estimating mean hourly global radiation incident on a horizontal surface for Indian regions. Estimations of monthly average hourly beam and diffuse radiation are discussed. It was observed that Singh‐Tiwari and Jamil‐Tiwari both models generally give better results for climatic conditions of Indian regions. Therefore, their use is recommended for composite climate of Indian regions. Empirical correlations developed to establish a relationship between the hourly diffuse fraction and the hourly clearness index using hourly global and diffuse irradiation measurements on a horizontal surface are discussed. Fifty models using the Angstrom–Prescott equation to predict the average daily global radiation with hours of sunshine are considered. It was reported that Ertekin and Yaldiz model showed the best performance against measured data of Konya, Turkey. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A procedure to obtain global radiation maps from sunshine durations at isolated stations in a region with complex orography

In this paper the procedure followed to obtain preliminary maps of monthly average daily global radiation is discussed. The information on which these maps are based is monthly average daily percent sunshine durations at stations covering the considered territory with very irregular density. The possibility of correlations between monthly average percent sunshine and meteorological parameters, other than cloudiness, is examined but found to be absent. A local fit procedure (octant-search), followed by smoothing, is used to construct percent sunshine maps, over the entire territory, coherent with the values relative to the single stations. Finally we have considered the possibility of important variations in the elevation and the influence of this parameter on the global radiation. Hence, among the various relationships relating monthly average daily global radiation to average percent sunshine duration, we have chosen one in which the daily clear sky global radiation (which depends on elevation above sea level) appears instead of the daily extra-terrestrial radiation. The clear sky global radiation has been calculated with a model deduced from Hottel's transmission model which includes elevation dependence. When more data become available, an analogous procedure could be used to obtain definitive maps, employing more reliable values for parameters relating global radiation to percent sunshine tested with experimental data. This method has been applied to the territory of Ethiopia, in order to obtain preliminary maps of global radiation.     

Estimation of daily and monthly direct, diffuse and global solar radiation from sunshine duration measurements

An accurate 200 W/m² threshold pyreheliometer instrument for measuring the duration of bright sunshine has been used to derive daily and monthly regressions for direct, diffuse, and global solar radiation component vs sunshine duration. Daily regression for diffuse/global are linear in sunshine duration, while quadratic regression forms are employed for direct normal, direct horizontal, and global/extraterrestrial components. Only the daily direct normal component had regression values which depend on season while all of the monthly regressions depend on season. Linear regression relations for monthly direct normal, diffuse/global and global/extraterrestrial are employed, with a quadratic form being used for direct horizontal. Effects of rainfall, especially in overcast conditions, and of atmospheric turbidity and precipitable water, especially under clear-sky conditions, are observed and documented.     

Global,direct and diffuse solar radiation on horizontal and tilted surfaces in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia

The measured data of global and diffuse solar radiation on a horizontal surface, the number of bright sunshine hours, mean daily ambient temperature, maximum and minimum ambient temperatures, relative humidity and amount of cloud cover for Jeddah (lat. 21°42′37′′N, long. 39°11′12′′E), Saudi Arabia, during the period (1996–2007) are analyzed. The monthly averages of daily values for these meteorological variables have been calculated. The data are then divided into two sets. The sub-data set I (1996–2004) are employed to develop empirical correlations between the monthly average of daily global solar radiation fraction (H/H₀) and the various weather parameters. The sub-data set II (2005–2007) are then used to evaluate the derived correlations. Furthermore, the total solar radiation on horizontal surfaces is separated into the beam and diffuses components. Empirical correlations for estimating the diffuse solar radiation incident on horizontal surfaces have been proposed. The total solar radiation incident on a tilted surface facing south H_t with different tilt angles is then calculated using both Liu and Jordan isotropic model and Klucher’s anisotropic model. It is inferred that the isotropic model is able to estimate H_t more accurate than the anisotropic one. At the optimum tilt angle, the maximum value of H_t is obtained as ∼36 (MJ/m² day) during January. Comparisons with 22 years average data of NASA SSE Model showed that the proposed correlations are able to predict the total annual energy on horizontal and tilted surfaces in Jeddah with a reasonable accuracy. It is also found that at Jeddah, the solar energy devices have to be tilted to face south with a tilt angle equals the latitude of the place in order to achieve the best performance all year round.     

Construction of a quadratic model using modified Ångstrom coefficients to estimate global solar radiation

In this paper, a new correlation for the estimation of monthly average daily global solar radiation will be presented and compared with the correlations of Rietveld, Benson et al., Ögelman et al., and a recent formulation by Gopinathan. The overal results show that the quadratic form gives better performance in terms of global applicability. The new quadratic model should be preferred for the monthly average global solar radiation estimation when the data for bright sunshine hours are available.     

Global, direct and diffuse solar irradiance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The regression coefficient of the well-known Angstrom correlation are determined for Riyadh city (the capital of Saudi Arabia) longitude 46° 14′E 24°55′N The relationship of the daily and monthly variation of the fraction of the diffuse solar irradiation to extrateresstrial and the clearness index are obtained. The variation of the values of the average daily global solar radiation against the month of the year is reported. The value of K_n defined as the ratio of direct normal Insolation, H_bn measured in Riyadh to direct normal solar extraterrestrial radiation with the K_T and K_d were obtained. The daily diffused ratio and the daily clearness index are shown as a function of the month of the year.     

ESTIMATION OF SOLAR RADIATION ENERGY OF ETHIOPIA FROM SUNSHINE DATA

Measurements of global solar radiation on a horizontal surface, for nine meteorological stations in Ethiopia, are compared with their corresponding values computed based on Ångström relations, Regression coefficients are obtained and correlation equations are determined to predict the global solar radiation. The result shows that Ångström relations are valid for Ethiopian locations, and the correlation equations can be used to predict the monthly mean daily global solar radiation in the locations considered in this study.

This study also proves that the results made by ENEC et al, using the generalised Frere's coefficients, is unsatisfactory for the prediction of monthly mean daily global solar radiation. On the other hand, the work of Dogniaux and Lemoine, using the regression coefficients a and b as a function of latitude and atmospheric turbidity and grouping large range latitudes to extend the application, can give better estimation. However, for more accurate estimation, several additional meteorological stations have to be evaluated and their regression coefficients have to be determined before grouping in to one relationship to express the variations of a and b under any conditions of equipment and location.     

Quality control of global solar radiation using sunshine duration hours

The aim of this study was to develop a new and automatic method for controlling the quality of daily global solar radiation, G_d, using sunshine duration hours. The new method has three levels of tests: first, G_d is compared against daily extraterrestrial radiation that is received on a horizontal surface (0.03×G_od?G_d<G_od); second, G_d should only exceed by a small amount of the daily clear sky irradiation that is observed under highly transparent clear skies (G_d<1.1G_cd); and third, the method uses a series of persistence checks that utilize the relation between daily global solar radiation and relative sunshine duration hours. The method is capable of identifying systematic and non-systematic errors and its ability has been shown in three different climates including semi-arid, coastal humid and very arid climates.     

A simplified model for generating sequences of global solar radiation data for isolated sites: Using artificial neural network and a library of Markov transition matrices approach

The purpose of this work is to develop a hybrid model which will be used to predict the daily global solar radiation data by combining between an artificial neural network (ANN) and a library of Markov transition matrices (MTM) approach. Developed model can generate a sequence of global solar radiation data using a minimum of input data (latitude, longitude and altitude), especially in isolated sites. A data base of daily global solar radiation data has been collected from 60 meteorological stations in Algeria during 1991–2000. Also a typical meteorological year (TMY) has been built from this database. Firstly, a neural network block has been trained based on 60 known monthly solar radiation data from the TMY. In this way, the network was trained to accept and even handle a number of unusual cases. The neural network can generate the monthly solar radiation data. Secondly, these data have been divided by corresponding extraterrestrial value in order to obtain the monthly clearness index values. Based on these monthly clearness indexes and using a library of MTM block we can generate the sequences of daily clearness indexes. Known data were subsequently used to investigate the accuracy of the prediction. Furthermore, the unknown validation data set produced very accurate prediction; with an RMSE error not exceeding 8% between the measured and predicted data. A correlation coefficient ranging from 90% and 92% have been obtained; also this model has been compared to the traditional models AR, ARMA, Markov chain, MTM and measured data. Results obtained indicate that the proposed model can successfully be used for the estimation of the daily solar radiation data for any locations in Algeria by using as input the altitude, the longitude, and the latitude. Also, the model can be generalized for any location in the world. An application of sizing PV systems in isolated sites has been applied in order to confirm the validity of this model.     

Correlating beam radiation with sunshine duration

For seven locations in north and central India, monthly averaged data of daily beam irradiation on a horizontal surface, I, have been correlated with bright sunshine duration, s, using the relation (I/I₀) = b₀(s/S′) where I₀ is the monthly mean value of extraterrestrial irradiation over a day, S′ is the corresponding duration over which Campbell-Stokes type sunshine recorders remain sensitive. It is found that b₀ is a constant that is period and region dependent. Monthly estimates of beam radiation using the relation above show that for the seven stations rms errors are within 3–6%. Tests made for other stations in India also gave good estimates. For the computation of I, global radiation is not required unlike most estimation techniques and therefore the method should find a wide application.It may be observed that b₀ values turn out to be roughly equal to exp(-md T ) where m is the relative airmass, d is the Raleigh optical thickness and T is the Linke turbidity factor.     

Smart model for accurate estimation of solar radiation

Prediction of solar radiation has drawn increasing attention in the recent years. This is because of the lack of solar radiation measurement stations. In the present work, 14 solar radiation models have been used to assess monthly global solar radiation on a horizontal surface as function of three parameters: extraterrestrial solar irradiance (G₀), duration sunshine (S) and daylight hours (S₀). Since it has been observed that each model is adequate for some months of the year, one model cannot be used for the prediction of the whole year. Therefore, a smart hybrid system is proposed which selects, based on the intelligent rules, the most suitable prediction model of the 14 models listed in this study. For the test and evaluation of the proposed models, Tamanrasset city, which is located in the south of Algeria, is selected for this study. The meteorological data sets of five years (2000–2004) have been collected from the Algerian National Office of Meteorology (NOM), and two spatial databases. The results indicate that the new hybrid model is capable of predicting the monthly global solar radiation, which offers an excellent measuring accuracy of R² values ranging from 93% to 97% in this location.