Comprehensive study of solar conditions in Mozambique: the effect of trade winds on solar components

Abstract

A new algorithm to simulate all solar components and optimum slopes, β opt , based on new models for direct normal beam and diffuse radiation and an analytical model to predict β opt , developed at the University of Botswana is applied for complete study of solar conditions in Mozambique. The components of solar radiation depend to a large extent on the number of h of sunshine. However, it is obvious that cloud-cover is determined mainly by the prevailing trade winds, which carry moisture and rain clouds. This is of especial concern in coastal areas. In the current work, hourly, I, daily, H and monthly mean, H ̄ components of solar radiation and the optimum slopes of a north–south aligned collector are simulated and analyzed for 21 synoptic stations in Mozambique. Monthly mean daily direct normal, H ̄ bn solar radiation maps are plotted for December and June and discussed. It is found that, to a great extent, isoinsolation curves are determined by the prevailing trade winds, mountain chains and coastal conditions. Plotted maps of annual mean daily direct normal and global solar radiation also show tremendous dependence on the prevailing winds. Several special locations in Mozambique with quite high or very low solar radiation components are pointed out and the reasons explained.