Integration of solar energy into the electricity network is becoming essential because of its continually increasing growth in usage. An efficient use of the fluctuating energy output of photovoltaic (PV) systems requires reliable forecast information. In fact, this integration can offer a better quality of service if the solar irradiance variation can be predicted with great accuracy.This paper presents an in-depth review of the current methods used to forecast solar irradiance in order to facilitate selection of the appropriate forecast method according to needs. The study starts with a presentation of statistical approaches and techniques based on cloud images. Next numerical weather prediction or NWP models are detailed before discussing hybrid models. Finally, we give indications for future solar irradiance forecasting approaches dedicated to the management of small-scale insular grids.

BACKGROUND This study addressed the question of whether limited surgery for primary malignant melanoma with a 2‐cm margin is as good as a 5‐cm margin. An update of a 16‐year follow‐up is provided. METHODS Nine European Centers, over a period of 5 years, prospectively randomized 337 patients with melanoma measuring less than 2.1 mm in thickness to undergo a local excision with either a 2‐cm or a 5‐cm margin. Three hundred twenty‐six patients were eligible for statistical analysis. Excluded from the trial were patients older than 70 years; those with melanomas from the toe, nail, or finger; and those with acral‐lentiginous melanoma. A separate randomization was performed to independently test an adjuvant treatment with a nonspecific immunostimulant, isoprinosine, compared with observation. The median follow‐up time was 192 months (16 years) for the estimation of survival and disease recurrences. RESULTS There were 22 tumor recurrences in the 2‐cm arm and 33 in the 5‐cm arm. The median time to disease recurrence was 43 months and 37.6 months, respectively. The 10‐year disease‐free survival rates were 85% for the group with a 2‐cm margin and 83% for the group with a 5‐cm margin. There was no difference in the 10‐year overall survival rates (87% vs. 86%). Isoprinosine did not demonstrate any activity in this setting. CONCLUSIONS The authors concluded that for melanoma less than 2.1‐mm thick, a margin of excision of 2 cm is sufficient. A larger margin of 5 cm does not appear to have any impact on either the rate or the time to disease recurrence or on survival. Cancer 2003;97:1941–6. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11272

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International audienceFor some locations both global and diffuse solar radiation are measured. However, for many locations, only global radiation is measured, or inferred from satellite data. For modelling solar energy applications, the amount of radiation on a tilted surface is needed. Since only the direct component on a tilted surface can be calculated from direct on some other plane using trigonometry, we need to have diffuse radiation on the horizontal plane available. There are regression relationships for estimating the diffuse on a tilted surface from diffuse on the horizontal. Models for estimating the diffuse on the horizontal from horizontal global that have been developed in Europe or North America have proved to be inadequate for Australia [13]. Boland et al. [2] developed a validated model for Australian conditions. Boland et al. [3] detailed our recent advances in developing the theoretical framework for the use of the logistic function instead of piecewise linear or simple nonlinear functions and was the first step in identifying the means for developing a generic model for estimating diffuse from global and other predictors. We have developed a multiple predictor model, which is much simpler than previous models, and uses hourly clearness index, daily clearness index, solar altitude, apparent solar time and a measure of persistence of global radiation level as predictors. This model performs marginally better than currently used models for locations in the Northern Hemisphere and substantially better for Southern Hemisphere locations. We suggest it can be used as a universal model

Objective. To retrospectively assess, with a sufficiently long followup (mean 11.6 years; median 9 years), the long-term outcome of chronic recurrent multifocal osteitis (CRMO), a multifocal, inflammatory bone disease.Methods. Patients included were 8 children/ adolescents and 7 adults with no family history of rheumatic disease who had been diagnosed as having CRMO between 1979 and 1995. Ten patients had undergone at least 1 bone biopsy of the lesions, with histologic examination and multiple cultures. In 1996, in addition to an in-depth interview, 12 patients underwent an extensive physical examination, laboratory evaluation, HLA-A, B, C, and DR typing, bone radiography and scintigraphy, and computed tomography scan of the sternoclavicular and sacroiliac joints.Results. Remission was observed in 3 patients. The other 12 patients developed various associations of vertebral (n ‫؍‬ 10), sacroiliac (n ‫؍‬ 6), anterior thoracic (n ‫؍‬ 7), peripheral articular (n ‫؍‬ 2), enthesopathic (n ‫؍‬ 4), or dermatologic (palmoplantar pustulosis in 3 cases and psoriasis in 2) involvements. Spine involvement was the most common and occurred the earliest (median time to appearance after the onset of osteitis 5.63 years). Clinical sacroiliitis was always unilateral. No patients carried the HLA-B27 haplotype. CRMO responded well to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Twelve patients met the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group criteria for spondylarthopathy.