Solar Insolation Data Research Articles

Correlations of Solar Insolation and Wind Data for SOLMET Stations

Correlations of direct solar insolation and windspeed data based upon a 12.5-year period are presented for 26 SOLMET stations distributed over the contiguous United States. These correlations indicate that for all 26 stations 97.5 percent of the available direct insolation occurs at windspeeds of 15 m/s (33.6 mph) or less for three different solar collector tracking apertures. These results imply that operational wind load design criteria for tracking collector devices may be less stringent than is required for survival criteria in the stow orientation. Additional selected frequency distributions for direct insolation, windspeed, and wind direction data spanning the 1952–1964 time frame are also presented.

On the estimation of global solar insolation

A curve suitable for estimation of global solar energy insolation in equatorial regions has been generated from humidity considerations using an empirical “universal” formula and experimental solar insolation data recorded for over 20 yr at specific locations in Kenya, East Africa. The curve has then been used to estimate global insolation in other locations in Kenya and the neighbouring countries with longstanding experimental data. The agreement between the experimental and theoretical insolation values is found to be satisfactory. This curve, we believe, can serve a useful purpose in estimating global solar insolation in other tropical locations with similar climatic conditions as those in Kenya which lack proper global solar insolation acquisition equipment.

Home generation of power by photovoltaic conversion of solar energy

The economic and technological feasibility of the home generation of electric power by means of the photovoltaic conversion of solar energy is examined in the light of extensive solar insolation data and advances in solar cell technology.