Estimation of solar radiation over Jordan—predicted tables

As measured solar radiation data for all parts of Jordan are not available, they have to be estimated using correlation relations and models. This paper presents, for the first time, values of solar radiation over Jordan as estimated from these relations. Measurements of global solar irradiance on a horizontal surface and sunshine duration at nine meteorological stations in Jordan are correlated and used for prediction of the regression coefficients of an Angstrom type correlation relation at these stations and others which only have records of sunshine duration. Regional regression coefficients are obtained and used for prediction of global solar irradiance. The agreement with measurements is better than 5% and 1% on monthly and yearly basis respectively. Estimation of diffuse solar irradiance by Page's and also Liu and Jordan's correlations, as well as the direct beam component are also performed and the results are examined and presented. The abundance of solar energy in Jordan is evident from the daily average global solar irradiance which ranges between 5 and 7 kWh/m². A correlation of Angstrom type of the form: H/Ho = 0.448+0.203 S/So is found suitable for Jordan with correlation coefficient r = 0.93.     

Compilation and evaluation of solar and wind energy resources in Sudan

A number of years worth of data concerning the solar radiation on a horizontal surface, sunshine duration and wind speed in Sudan have been compiled, evaluated and presented in this article.Measurements of global solar radiation on a horizontal surface at 16 stations for several years are compared with predictions made by several independent methods. In the first method the Angstrom formula was used to correlate relative global solar irradiance to the corresponding relative duration of bright sunshine.Regression coefficients are obtained and used for prediction of global solar irradiance. The predicted values were consistent with measured values (± 8.01% variation).In the second method, by Barbaro et al. [Solar Energy, 1978, 20, 431] sunshine duration and minimum air mass were used to drive an empirical correlation for the global radiation. The predicted values compared well with measured values (± 12% variation).The diffuse solar irradiance is estimated. The results of two formulas have close agreement. A radiation map of Sudan was prepared from the estimated radiation values. The annual daily mean global radiation ranges from 3.05 to 7.62 kW h m⁻² per day.Routine wind data from 70 stations were analyzed. Monthly averaged wind speed and average powers were determined for each station. The derived annual average speeds range from 1.53 to 5.07 m s⁻¹. Maximum extractable average wind powers were found to vary between 1.35 and 49.5 W m⁻². A wind map of Sudan was also prepared.Sudan possessed a relatively high abundance of sunshine and moderate wind speed. It is concluded that Sudan is blessed with abundant solar and wind energy.     

Solar radiation over Sudan—Comparison of measured and predicted data

Measurements of global solar irradiance on a horizontal surface at 14 meteorological stations in Sudan are compared with predictions made by two independent methods. The first method is based on Angstrom formula which correlates relative global solar irradiance to corresponding relative duration of bright sunshine . Regional regression coefficients are obtained and used for prediction of global solar irradiance. The agreement with measurements is better than 7.5 per cent. In the second method an empirical relation due to Barbaro et al. which uses sunshine duration and minimum air mass as inputs is employed. An appropriate regional parameter is determined and used to predict solar irradiance at all stations with an accuracy better than 8 per cent. A comparison of the two methods is presented. Estimation of diffuse solar irradiance by Page's as well as Liu and Jordan's correlations is also performed and the results are examined.     

Assessment of solar and wind energy resources in Ethiopia. I. Solar energy

This paper describes how data from a variety of sources are merged to present new countrywide maps of the solar energy distribution over Ethiopia. The spatial coverage of stations with radiation data was found to be unsatisfactory for the purpose of a countrywide solar energy assessment exercise. Therefore, radiation had to be predicted from sunshine hours by employing empirical models. Using data from seven stations in Ethiopia, linear and quadratic correlation relationships between monthly mean daily solar radiation and sunshine hours per day have been developed. These regional models show a distinct improvement over previously employed countrywide models. To produce a national solar-energy distribution profile, a spatial extension of the radiation/sunshine relationships had to be carried out. To do this, the intercepts (a) and slopes (b) of each of the seven linear regression equations and another six from previous studies, completed in neighbouring Sudan, Kenya and Yemen, were used to interpolate the corresponding values to areas between them. Subsequent to these procedures, 142 stations providing only sunshine data were assigned their “appropriate” a and b values to estimate the amount of solar radiation received, which was then used to produce annual and monthly solar radiation distribution maps for Ethiopia. The results show that in all regions solar energy is an abundant resource.     

Estimation of total solar radiation from cloudiness in Turkey

Using the measured data from six stations in Turkey, two types of correlations are developed to estimate total solar radiation from (i) cloudiness and (ii) a combination of relative sunshine hours and cloudiness. The accuracy of these correlations is compared with previously developed equations based on the bright sunshine data. It has been concluded that the correlation as a function of two parameters, relative sunshine hours and cloudiness, gives more accurate results.     

Climatic influences on solar modelling in China

Correlation between clearness index and sunshine duration is useful to the estimation of the solar radiation for areas where measured solar radiation data are not available. Regression techniques were used to investigate the correlations between daily global solar radiation and sunshine duration for different climates in China. Measurements made during the 30-year period (1971–2000) from 40 measuring stations covering major thermal and solar climatic zones across China have been gathered and analysed. The correlations were developed for each individual station as well as for each of the major climates. It was found that the Angstrom–Prescott equation tended to give a good estimation of global solar radiation based on the corresponding measured sunshine hours. A simple two-parameter linear regression equation was proposed for each of the major thermal and solar climatic zones.     

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.     

Estimated monthly average global radiation for Turkey and its comparison with observations

Global solar radiation data obtained from actinographs of the Turkish State Meterological Service were compared with data obtained from pyrheliometers that were established recently to determine if the actinograph data were usable in practice. It has been found that the observed actinograph data have a rather high error rate with 14.7% annual and 42.1% monthly averages. It has, however, not been possible to smooth these errors as they are absolutely random. Thus, a well known quadratic model was used to produce available radiation data. A quadratic relationship between solar insolation and duration of solar radiation data has been investigated in order to estimate monthly average global irradiance for Ankara, Antalya, Samsun, Konya, Urfa and zmir. The data from August 1993 to July 1995 have been used in the quadratic model. But, observations of zmir differ from other stations covered for about four years. Solar insolation data used in the quadratic model were obtained from the pyrheliometer with model CR10. Duration of bright sunshine data were obtained from a Siap, Frans or Müller sunshine recorder with 60° global lens. A general quadratic formula was found that represents the whole of Turkey. The estimated monthly average global solar radiation data, then, were produced from this quadratic formula. Comparison of the estimated and measured values showed that the quadratic model was able to estimate global radiation with about a 4% annual relative error and the estimated data seemed to be more reliable than the data measured by actinograph.     

Global and diffuse solar irradiance in Yemen (Y.A.R.)

Measurements of global and diffuse solar irradiance on a horizontal surface were made at Sana'a University during 1980/81 and the results are presented. Use is made of these results and other meteorological data to examine some of the methods of prediction of global solar irradiance and of diffuse solar irradiance . The regression coefficients of the Angstrom correlation relation and the zone parameter of an empirical relation due to Barbaro et al. are determined for Sana'a. The results are extended to compute at five other stations and comparison is made with the available data. The computed and measured values of are in good agreement. The monthly variation of and the effects of latitude and altitude on the regression coefficients and on the clearliness index are discussed.The abundance of solar energy in Yemen is evident from the annual total global solar irradiance which ranges between 7500 and 7910 MJm⁻² in the six towns.Correlations between the diffuse fraction and the clearliness index and between the diffuse fraction and the relative duration of sunshine are determined for Sana'a and compared with the Page and Liu and Jordan correlations. Agreement is found only with Page's correlation during the months March to September.The relation between and is used to compute at the other towns making use of the available sunshine data.The effect of altitude is found to be more distinct on the fraction than on other parameters.     

Monthly and yearly average maps of total and direct solar radiation in Turkey

Total and direct solar radiation are calculated using the bright sunshine hours measurements from 83 stations over Turkey. The results are presented in the form of monthly and yearly mean maps. The values associated with the isoradiation lines, which pass throughout the frontiers of the country, are compared with the results obtained in some neighbourhood countries.     

Techniques for the precise estimation of hourly values of global, diffuse and direct solar radiation

The method usually used to compute solar radiation, when no measured data are available, is the well-known regression technique relating mean daily totals of global and diffuse solar radiation with the mean duration of sunshine. Using this method and taking into account the first order multiple reflections between the ground and the atmosphere, regression parameters were obtained from the monthly mean values of daily totals of global solar radiation and sunshine at a network of 16 stations in India. Daily values of global and diffuse solar radiation were then computed for 121 stations, where sunshine data are available for periods of 6–28 yr, using interpolated values of the regression parameters. Where no sunshine data were available, global and diffuse solar radiation were computed from cloud observations, using the inverse relationship between sunshine and cloudiness. Further, using the empirical relationship between daily totals and the corresponding hourly values of global and diffuse solar radiation, two sets of curves were prepared valid for the whole country, using which mean hourly values of global and diffuse radiation could be deduced from the corresponding daily totals, with a high degree of accuracy. The paper discusses the validity of the techniques used for computing daily and hourly values of global and diffuse solar radiation from sunshine and cloud amounts at an extended network of 145 stations in India and stresses the fact that such techniques are successful, only if accurate data on both radiation and sunshine are available at a widely distributed network of stations for a minimum period from at least 5 to 6 yr, using carefully calibrated and well-maintained instruments of the required quality. Theoretical models have also been used to compute clear sky noon values of global, diffuse and direct solar radiation from the solar constant, allowing for attenuation by atmospheric constituents such as ozone, water vapour, dust and aerosols. Using a simple model, calculations of global and diffuse solar radiation on clear days were made for 145 stations from values of the solar constant and measured values of ozone, water vapour and atmospheric turbidity. A method of extending the technique to overcast skies and partly clouded skies is discussed. The values of the mean annual transmission factor for global solar radiation under cloud-free conditions using the two methods show excellent agreement and establishes the soundness of the regression technique on one hand and the reliability of the theoretical model used for computing clear sky radiation, on the other.     

The fluctuation of solar irradiance in Hong Kong

Measurements of the total global solar irradiance on a horizontal surface in Hong Kong during the 10-yr period 1969-78 are analysed. Mean annual, monthly and daily totals and their frequency distributions are computed and examined. The seasonal and climatic effects on the fluctuation of solar irradiance in Hong Kong are discussed. The effect is particularly large during the spring months when the transition from cold to warm weather occurs.The diurnal variation of total global solar irradiance in Hong Kong is also examined and the measured hourly data are observed to be in good agreement with Liu and Jordan's procedure of estimation from daily totals.Results of regression analysis relating total solar irradiance with duration of bright sunshine hours based on data for Hong Kong are summarized. The yearly regression coefficients are found to be varying in an unsystematic manner.Estimation of the Hong Kong monthly average diffuse solar irradiance based on the correlation with the cloudiness index is also performed and the results are found to vary between 7.39 MJ m^?2 d^?1 in the summer and 4.44 MJ m^?2 d^?1 in the winter.     

Global solar radiation estimation using sunshine duration in Spain

Several equations were employed to estimate global solar radiation from sunshine hours for 16 meteorological stations in Spain, using only the relative duration of sunshine. These equations included the original Angström–Prescott linear regression and modified functions (quadratic, third degree, logarithmic and exponential functions). Estimated values were compared with measured values in terms of the coefficient of determination, standard error of the estimate and mean absolute error. All the models fitted the data adequately and can be used to estimate global solar radiation from sunshine hours. This study finds that the third degree models performed better than the other models, but the linear model is preferred due to its greater simplicity and wider application. It is also found that seasonal partitioning does not significantly improve the estimation of global radiation.     

Estimation of daily Linke turbidity factor by using global irradiance measurements at solar noon

This work presents a methodology for estimating daily Linke turbidity factor for clear sky days from global horizontal irradiance information at solar noon and monthly mean values of the Linke turbidity factor. The analysis of the method proposed here have been made using the ESRA clear sky model to recalculate the direct normal irradiance using as input the new Linke turbidities. Ground data of three BSRN and six AEMet radiometric meteorological stations have been used for assessing the method. Linke turbidity factor estimated here exhibits higher fluctuations than the monthly means and the comparison of the solar irradiance recalculated with the ground data have shown a noticeable reduction of the root mean square deviation. On the other hand the new Linke turbidity estimations have been compared to those values obtained from normal beam irradiance measures. The discrepancies found point out the high dependence of the reliability of this method with the quality of the ground measurements used.     

Solar radiation maps for Iraq

As measured solar radiation data for all parts of Iraq is not available, it has to be estimated using other weather variables. A number of correlations which use dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and sunshine duration were tried. Finally a correlation using sunshine duration was selected as it gave most accurate estimation of solar radiation. Constants for the correlation for three stations representing three climatic regions in Iraq were determined. Monthly and yearly solar radiation maps were drawn using sunshine duration data from 24 stations from all over the country.     

Iterative filtering of ground data for qualifying statistical models for solar irradiance estimation from satellite data

A new technique of filtering solar radiation ground data is proposed for generating models for solar irradiance estimation from geostationary satellite data. The filtering processes consists of an iterative way of selecting the training data set to achieve the best model response. Although in this paper the proposed methodology has been used for solar irradiance modeling, it could be applied to any kind of empirical modeling. The iterative filtering method has proven to have fast convergence and to improve successfully the statistical model response, when applied to hourly global irradiance calculation from satellite-derived irradiances for 13 Spanish locations. Individual statistical models for hourly global irradiance were fitted using the Heliosat I method applied to Meteosat images of 13 Spanish stations for the period 1994–1996.     

Models for obtaining solar radiation from other meteorological data

The application of solar energy requires a knowledge of long-term solar radiation and daylight data. Because of the limited availability of measured data, various formulae have been derived to compute the solar irradiance using other, more commonly available, weather data. In this article two such models are presented, MRM (meteorological radiation model) and CRM (cloud-cover radiation model). MRM requires hourly data for sunshine duration, dry- and wet-bulb temperature; while CRM requires only cloud amount. Both models can generate hour-by-hour data for horizontal global, diffuse, and beam irradiance. A brief comparison of the two models is presented. Results showed that MRM has the advantage over CRM, on account of its consistency with the measured data. Both models are now available via the Internet in the form of electronic spreadsheets.     

The UK solar energy resource and the impact of climate change

Solar energy use in the UK is increasing dramatically, providing both heat energy and generation of electricity. This trend is expected to continue due to solar technologies becoming cheaper and more readily available along with low carbon government legislation such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) supporting solar energy deployment. However, the effects of climate change on the solar resource remain largely unstudied. Climate change affects cloud cover characteristics and consequently directly affects the performance of solar energy technologies.This paper investigates the UK solar irradiation resource for both the present and future climates.The present solar irradiation level was assessed through the conversion of 30 years of observed historical monthly average sunshine duration data. The method and results are validated by comparing the converted solar irradiation levels to actual solar irradiance measurements at weather stations with significant historical records of solar irradiance data.The impact of climate change is investigated across different regions of the UK by using the UKCP09 probabilistic climate change projections.We find that the current average UK annual solar resource is 101.2 Wm⁻², ranging from 128.4 Wm⁻² in the south of England to 71.8 Wm⁻² in the northwest of Scotland. It seems likely that climate change will increase the average resource in the south of the UK, while marginally decreasing it in the Northwest. The overall effect is a mean increase of the UK solar resource, however it will have greater seasonal variability and discrepancies between geographical regions will be reinforced.     

Attenuation of solar radiation in the atmosphere

This paper presents the results of measurements of the solar radiant energy absorbed and scattered in the atmosphere. Since much of the information on solar irradiance at the ground is obtained by computation from extraterrestrial radiation data, it is important to know precisely the actual energy that is absorbed and scattered in its passage through the atmosphere for the accurate estimation of the radiant energy received at the ground. Various models exist for the estimation of daily totals of global solar radiation under clear sky and cloudy conditions, taking these effects into consideration and assuming average values for the ozone and water vapour content and the turbidity of the atmosphere. In the present investigation atmospheric attenuation of solar radiation has been calculated from measured values of ozone and water vapour content and turbidity in the atmosphere, at two stations Bangalore (950 metres above sea level) and Nandi Hills (1479 masl). Direct measurements of direct solar radiation for the whole spectrum and various spectral regions were made at Bangalore and Nandi using Ångström pyrheliometers fitted with broad-band pass filters during the clear months January–May 1979. Global solar radiation and sunshine duration measurements were also made at both stations. Using direct measurements of the total ozone and water vapour content and atmospheric turbidity, direct, diffuse and global solar radiation values at the ground were computed from extraterrestrial values of radiation for clear sky conditions. The results are compared with actual measurements and earlier observations of direct solar radiation at other high-level stations. The importance of atmospheric turbidity measurements in the computation of solar radiation is discussed.     

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: