Numerical methods applied to global solar radiation modeling – comparison with measured data

M.H. Saffaripour; M.A. Mehrabian

doi:10.1108/09615530910973002

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International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow

ISSN: 0961-5539

Online from: 1991

Subject Area: Mechanical & Materials Engineering

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Numerical methods applied to global solar radiation modeling – comparison with measured data

Document Information:
Title:	Numerical methods applied to global solar radiation modeling – comparison with measured data
Author(s):	M.H. Saffaripour, (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jomhoori Eslami Boulevard – College of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran), M.A. Mehrabian, (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jomhoori Eslami Boulevard – College of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran)
Citation:	M.H. Saffaripour, M.A. Mehrabian, (2009) "Numerical methods applied to global solar radiation modeling – comparison with measured data", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 19 Iss: 6, pp.777 - 789
Keywords:	Iran, Modelling, Solar radiation
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/09615530910973002 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Acknowledgements:	The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Iranian Meteorological Organization (IMO) for their sincere cooperation in providing files and documents available in their archive containing meteorological information regarding Yazd airport station. Without this information this research would have not been successful.
Abstract:	Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to predict the global solar radiation intensity in areas where meteorological stations do not exist and information on solar radiation cannot be obtained experimentally. Design/methodology/approach – The approach to achieve the objective of the paper is developing multiple regression relations between the global solar radiation intensity (the dependent variable) and geographical, geometrical, astronomical and meteorological parameters (the independent variables). The independent variables used for this purpose were selected based on their ease of measurability outside the meteorological station and without expensive equipment. The number of independent variables is arbitrarily chosen and directly affects the accuracy of predictions. Findings – Linear regression relations using one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven independent variables were developed to predict the global solar radiation intensity on horizontal surfaces. An advanced computer program based on least square analysis was used to obtain the regression coefficients. The relations having the highest correlation coefficients were selected. The study shows even when only one independent variable (declination angle) is used, the one variable regression relation predicts the global solar radiation with an accuracy that is satisfactory in most engineering applications. Originality/value – The diversity of regression relations introduced in this paper gives the engineer such a broad freedom of choice, that knowing only an astronomical parameter of the site makes him capable of estimating the global solar radiation intensity within acceptable margins. The predicted values of global solar radiation intensity by this approach can be used for the design and performance estimation in solar applications. The statistical model developed in this research was validated when compared with the measured data in Yazd airport. The measured data used to analyze the model equations were collected in a 13-year period. No investigation of this type exists having such degree of accuracy in geographical, geometrical, astronomical and meteorological parameters in Iran.