Comparison of four methods in estimation of Weibull parameters for wind speed data of Bhopal, India

Abstract

Two-parameter Weibull function, is the most commonly used and accepted distribution for wind energy applications. The ability of Weibull probability distribution function to represent the wind speed data of a particular location is dependent on the method used for estimation of its parameters. This paper presents a comparison of four methods viz the graphical method, the method of moments, the energy pattern factor method and the maximum likelihood method for estimating the shape and scale parameters of Weibull function for describing wind speed data recorded in Bhopal. The performance of these methods is evaluated by the root mean square error and R square statistical indicators. The maximum likelihood method produces least error followed by the moments', energy pattern factor and graphical methods. The performance of graphical method is found to be the worst among the four methods analysed here.