Estimation of Solar Radiation Based on Its Measured and Meteorologically Observed Data.

Abstract

To evaluate the performance of photovoltaic systems, it is necessary to estimate detailed characteristics of solar radiation which varies with seasons, time, and weather conditions. However, it is difficult to obtain detailed characteristics of solar radiation at an arbitrary location. The objective of this paper is to propose a method of estimating probabilistic characteristics of solar radiation at an arbitrary location, by combining rough data observed meteorologically at the location with detailed data measured at another location. The validity of the method is clarified by comparing the global solar radiation on the horizontal surface estimated and measured or observed meteorologically at some locations. The global solar radiation on the inclined surface is also estimated at the locations, and its features are clarified in relation to the weather conditions of the locations and the tilt angle of the surface.