A comparative analysis of DEM‐based models to estimate the solar radiation in mountainous terrain

Ruiz‐Arias, José A.; Tovar‐Pescador, J.; Pozo‐Vázquez, D.; Alsamamra, Husain

doi:10.1080/13658810802022806

Cited by 104 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…According to the spatially based solar radiation models' average uncertainty reported in Table 1, all these models are comparable with the measured values with a mean bias error ( MBE ) of about − 5 to 10% except Solar Analyst [17,19,20] that shows an under-estimation of about 25% relative to the corresponded observed values and also its reliability decreases in cloudy sky conditions. Myers (2005) [32] reviewed uncertainties in several solar radiation models [32].Therefore, a daily global solar radiation model, within the usual range of accuracy, with lower input parameters, with more available input data, and suitable for different climate conditions applied to estimate daily and hourly solar radiation convergence curves can be usefully applied for accurate estimation of solar energy production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 56%

“…Here, we present a daily solar radiation estimation method which uses ambient air temperature, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), time of year, and monthly radiation estimates from Solar Analyst ( G R m ) [17,19,20]. Our objective was to provide improved, spatially and more widely applicable estimation using air temperature-based empirical models for atmospheric transmissivity ( K T ) and diffuse fraction to vary total monthly radiation estimation from Solar Analyst [17,19,20] and then calculate total daily radiation (…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More specifically, Solar Analyst [17,19,20] considers atmospheric attenuation using direct atmospheric transmissivity ( ) , defined as the proportion of extra-terrestrial radiation ( H 0 ) transmitted as direct radiation at sea level along the shortest atmospheric path, and diffuse fraction (K D ), which is the fraction of global normal radiation flux that is diffused [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A novel time-effective model for daily distributed solar radiation estimates across variable terrain

Mirmasoudi

Byrne

Kroebel³

et al. 2018

Int J Energy Environ Eng

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Accurate and precisess estimation of spatio-temporal variability of solar radiation is critical. Some commonly used models evaluate this variability using methods in which the data required for estimating atmospheric attenuation may not be easily accessible for some study areas. Here, a daily solar radiation estimation method which uses ambient air temperature, a Digital Elevation Model, time of year, and monthly radiation estimates from Solar Analyst model has been proposed. The objective was to use air temperature-based empirical models for atmospheric transmissivity and diffuse fractions to vary total monthly radiation estimation from Solar Analyst, and then calculate total daily radiation as a fraction of total monthly radiation by applying a daily transmissivity-based ratio, as air temperature data are readily available at most locations on the planet. Results revealed that daily solar radiation can be estimated very well, with Mean Absolute Bias Error of around 40-53 W m −2 or Mean Bias Error of ± 10%, under all sky conditions at seven sites in diverse climate regions, using significantly less input data. The presented method is an improvement over previously used methods with Mean Bias Error of under 10% but more input parameters. Furthermore, the hourly solar radiation values can be calculated using the presented method using the ratio between daily and hourly radiation, for example from literature values and estimated daily insolation. The result also showed that the method is more useful for those stations with substantially higher numbers of sunny days than cloudy or partly cloudy days because the uncertainty of the model decreased from cloudy to sunny sky conditions. The implemented Digital Elevation Models environment of this method makes it applicable in many studies that need spatial estimation of solar radiation, especially for solar energy generation projects. Keywords Solar radiation · Digital elevation model · Solar analyst · Atmospheric transmissivity · Air temperature Abbreviations

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A novel time-effective model for daily distributed solar radiation estimates across variable terrain

Mirmasoudi

Byrne

Kroebel³

et al. 2018

Int J Energy Environ Eng

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“…Looking into this matter is certainly our priority for future work, and for this, we plan to follow the approach of Ruiz Arias et al (2009). In their analysis involving rasters of multiple resolutions, they compare the results from multiple software packages and conclude that some software solutions lead to larger error propagation.…”

Section: General Discussion and Key Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of acquisition error and level of detail on the accuracy of spatial analyses

Biljecki

Heuvelink

Ledoux

et al. 2017

Cartography and Geographic Information Science

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There has been a great deal of research about errors in geographic information and how they affect spatial analyses. A typical GIS process introduces various types of errors at different stages, and such errors usually propagate into errors in the result of a spatial analysis. However, most studies consider only a single error type thus preventing the understanding of the interaction and relative contributions of different types of errors. We focus on the level of detail (LOD) and positional error, and perform a multiple error propagation analysis combining both types of error. We experiment with three spatial analyses (computing gross volume, envelope area, and solar irradiation of buildings) performed with procedurally generated 3D city models to decouple and demonstrate the magnitude of the two types of error, and to show how they individually and jointly propagate to the output of the employed spatial analysis. The most notable result is that in the considered spatial analyses the positional error has a much higher impact than the LOD. As a consequence, we suggest that it is pointless to acquire geoinformation of a fine LOD if the acquisition method is not accurate, and instead we advise focusing on the accuracy of the data. ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…Reanalysis data sets provide global coverage and there are several freely available data sources (see, e.g., [22]), but these have relatively low spatial and temporal resolutions compared to data derived from satellite images. Moreover, solar radiation models integrated in GIS tools have been widely used to estimate solar radiation and PV technical potential in areas with complicated topography and in urban environments [23][24][25][26]. These rely, however, on other atmospheric variables that must be retrieved from in situ measurements, satellite images and/or reanalysis data.…”

Section: State Of the Art Of Photovoltaic Potential Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technical, Economical and Social Assessment of Photovoltaics in the Frame of the Net-Metering Law for the Province of Salta, Argentina

et al. 2016

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Central and Northern Argentinean regions possess a high potential for the generation of solar energy. The realization of this potential is an alternative to alleviate the strong dependence on imports of fossil energy and to reduce the CO 2 emissions of the country. However, the adoption of photovoltaics (PV) is still in an incipient state. It is undermined by a context of heavily subsidized electricity prices, high equipment and installation costs and a lack of information, training and experience in handling PV technology. This paper presents a techno-economical assessment of the application of the recently enacted net-metering law for promoting renewable energies (RE) in the Province of Salta (Northwest Argentina) for the case of PV. The assessment shows under which conditions and for which types of consumers it is profitable to adopt PV in the context of the law. This analysis is supported by a participatory planning approach as a study of stakeholders' attitudes towards RE, intentions to adopt PV and their knowledge about the law. The results of this study and the economical analysis serve to provide recommendations aimed at increasing the level of PV adoption in the province.

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A comparative analysis of DEM‐based models to estimate the solar radiation in mountainous terrain

Cited by 104 publications

References 24 publications

A novel time-effective model for daily distributed solar radiation estimates across variable terrain

A novel time-effective model for daily distributed solar radiation estimates across variable terrain

The effect of acquisition error and level of detail on the accuracy of spatial analyses

Technical, Economical and Social Assessment of Photovoltaics in the Frame of the Net-Metering Law for the Province of Salta, Argentina

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