Models and hierarchical methodologies for evaluating solar energy availability under different sky conditions toward enhancing concentrating solar collectors use: Texas as a case study

Abstract

The precise estimation of solar radiation data is substantial in the long-term evaluation for the techno-economic performance of solar energy conversion systems (e.g., concentrated solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic plants) for each site around the world, particularly, direct normal irradiance which is utilized commonly in designing solar concentrated collectors. However, the lack of direct normal irradiance data comparing to global and diffuse horizontal irradiance data and the high cost of measurement equipment represent significant challenges for exploiting and managing solar energy. Consequently, this study was performed to develop two hierarchical methodologies by using various models, empirical correlations and regression equations to estimate hourly solar irradiance data for various worldwide locations (using new correlation coefficients) and different sky conditions (using cloud cover range). Additionally, the preliminary assessment for the potential of solar energy in the selected region was carried out by developing a comprehensive analysis for the solar irradiance data and the clearness index to make a proper decision for the capability of utilizing solar energy technologies. A case study for the San Antonio region in Texas was selected to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed methodologies for estimating hourly direct normal irradiance and monthly average hourly direct normal irradiance data at this region. The estimated data show a good accuracy comparing with measured solar data by using locally adjusted coefficients and different statistical indicators. Furthermore, the obtained results show that the selected region is unequivocally amenable to harnessing solar energy as the prime source of energy by utilizing concentrating and non-concentrating solar energy systems.

Calibration of Ångström-Prescott Coefficients to Estimate Global Solar Radiation in Côte d’Ivoire

“…To determine and , it is necessary to go through theoretical calculations. So the daily mean extraterrestrial radiation on a horizontal surface can be calculated for a typical day of a month according to the following equation: (2) where is the solar constant, the eccentricity correction factor of the Earth's orbit, the sunset hour angle, the solar declination and the latitude of the location. The eccentricity correction factor is determined by the modified Duffie and Beckman's equation :…”

“…The optimization of the solar energy reception in different applications is highly dependent on the ability to measure and understand its spatial-temporal distribution (Ishola, 2018). Thus, adequate assessment of solar radiation data is crucial for planning and designing solar energy based systems (Mbiaké et al, 2018;Govindasamy & Chetty, 2019;Ya'u et al, 2018;Al-Aboosi, 2020). For this reason, the best way to access solar radiation data at any location is to install suitable ground measuring instruments such as pyranometers and pyrheliometers and record its various components at a desired time scale (Al-Aboosi, 2020; Ener Kusen, 2018).…”

Effects of Outer Shell Fabric Color, Smoke Contamination, and Washing on Heat Loss through Turnout Suit Systems

“…Heat loss or heat gain measurements were taken on the turnout fabric systems under different radiant exposures, simulating the intensity of sunlight ranging from a cloudy day to a day with intense sunlight. 32 The presented results are the average readings of triplicate measurements for each test material and at each radiant exposure condition.…”

“…As points of reference, 216 W/m 2 is equivalent to the solar intensity of a cloudy day; 831 W/m 2 is close to the solar intensity of a sunny day. 32…”

“…Different radiant exposures simulated the radiation intensity from a cloudy day to a day with intense sunlight. 32,33…”