Abstract
Agrometeorological stations have horizontal solar irradiation data available, but the design and simulation of photovoltaic (PV) systems require data about the solar panel (inclined and/or oriented). Greenhouses for agricultural production, outside the large protected production areas, are usually off-grid; thus, the solar irradiation variable on the panel plane is critical for an optimal PV design. Modeling of solar radiation components (beam, diffuse, and ground-reflected) is carried out by calculating the extraterrestrial solar radiation, solar height, angle of incidence, and diffuse solar radiation. In this study, the modeling was done using Simulink-MATLAB blocks to facilitate its application, using the day of the year, the time of day, and the hourly horizontal global solar irradiation as input variables. The rest of the parameters (i.e., inclination, orientation, solar constant, albedo, latitude, and longitude) were fixed in each block. The results obtained using anisotropic models of diffuse solar irradiation of the sky in the region of Castile and León (Spain) showed improvements over the results obtained with isotropic models. This work enables the precise estimation of solar irradiation on a solar panel flexibly, for particular places, and with the best models for each of the components of solar radiation.
Highlights
The solar irradiation incident on the surface of a solar panel is the fundamental parameter for the design of photovoltaic systems that are best integrated into greenhouses for agricultural production and for determining the amount of electrical energy that is produced by such a panel, as well as for the simulation of its operation with the required precision
The hourly horizontal global solar irradiation data used in this study were recorded in 2011 in an agrometeorological station that belongs to the Agroclimatic Information
The hourly horizontal diffuse solar irradiation data used in this study were taken in 2011 from the State Meteorological Agency database (AEMet is its name in Spanish) of the Ministry for Ecological Transition of Spain [34], registered in the meteorological station located in La Virgen del Camino (León, Castile and León region, Spain) with the geographical coordinates: 42◦ 350 1800 N and 5◦ 390 0400 W, altitude 912 mamsl
Summary
The solar irradiation incident on the surface of a solar panel is the fundamental parameter for the design of photovoltaic systems that are best integrated into greenhouses for agricultural production and for determining the amount of electrical energy that is produced by such a panel, as well as for the simulation of its operation with the required precision. Greenhouses are intended to increase the productivity, quality, and precocity of crops that are characterized by the intensive use of land and of other means of production and inputs (see Yano and Cossu [2]) Greenhouses, except those located in large, protected production areas, are usually located in rural off-grid areas, and connection to the grid can be very expensive for technical, economic, or environmental reasons; an autonomous power source is required (see Chaurey and Kandpal [3] and Qoaider and Steinbrecht [4]). The highest electrical consumptions in greenhouses correspond to ventilation, refrigeration, and pumping equipment (water and nutrients) These agricultural structures are usually located in open spaces where they receive large amounts of direct solar radiation. The largest demand for electricity occurs during periods in which solar irradiation is available in large quantities, matching the demand and supply, which makes the use of solar energy viable
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
