Abstract
We utilize the multiple linear regression method to analyse meteorological data for eight cities in Burkina Faso. A correlation between the monthly mean daily global solar radiation on a horizontal surface and five meteorological and geographical parameters, which are the mean daily extraterrestrial solar radiation intensity, the average daily ratio of sunshine duration, the mean daily relative humidity, the mean daily maximum air temperature, and the sine of the solar declination angle, was examined. A second correlation is established for the entire country, using, this time, the monthly mean global solar radiation on a horizontal surface and the following climatic variables: the average daily ratio of sunshine duration, the latitude, and the longitude. The results show that the coefficients of correlation vary between 0.96 and 0.99 depending on the station while the relative errors spread between −3.16% (Pô) and 3.65% (Dédougou). The maximum value of the RMSD which is 312.36 kJ/m2 is obtained at Dori, which receives the strongest radiation. For the entire cities, the values of the MBD are found to be in the acceptable margin.
Highlights
The quantification of the solar energy potential depends on many parameters such as the availability, the number and location of synoptic stations, and the utilization of adequate formalism for its evaluation
In Burkina Faso, preliminary investigations have been made by Garane [18] and Baldy [19] who established a correlation between the solar radiation and the sunshine duration spanning from 1971 to 1990 (Garane) and 1971 to 1975 (Baldy) for five cities
Hi,m where Hi,m is the monthly average of daily global radiation measured over a horizontal surface for the ith month and Hi,c is its value obtained from the relation of correlation
Summary
The quantification of the solar energy potential depends on many parameters such as the availability, the number and location of synoptic stations, and the utilization of adequate formalism for its evaluation. A review of solar radiation models [1] and measurement techniques [2] are presented by Pandey and Katiyar. They noted that the first correlation has been suggested by Angstrom [3]; it relates the global solar radiation to sunshine duration. In Burkina Faso, preliminary investigations have been made by Garane [18] and Baldy [19] who established a correlation between the solar radiation and the sunshine duration spanning from 1971 to 1990 (Garane) and 1971 to 1975 (Baldy) for five cities. We seek to establish, successively, correlation relations between the global radiation and five climatic variables for the eight cities. The following climatic variables, the average daily ratio of sunshine duration, the latitude, and the longitude, would be investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
