Title: Relating geo-meteorological parameters to global solar radiation for Egypt by Iranna-Bapat's estimation models

Authors: Iranna Korachagaon; V.N. Bapat

Addresses: Department of Electrical Engineering, Annasaheb Dange College of Engineering and Technology, Ashta – 416 301, Dist. Sangli, Maharashtra State, India ' Ganga Institute of Technology and Management, Kablana, Jhajjar, Haryana – 124 104, India

Abstract: Estimation of solar radiation is considered as the most important parameter for the design and development of various solar energy systems. But, the availability of the required data is very scarce and often not readily accessible. The foremost objective of the present study was to estimate the monthly average global solar radiation (GSR) at various locations for Egypt, by the generalised Iranna-Bapat's model. Iranna-Bapat's model is developed to estimate the value of global solar radiation at any location on earth surface. This model uses the most commonly measurable meteorological parameters such as ambient temperature, humidity, windspeed, moisture for a given location. A total of 11 locations spread across the country are used to validate this model. The computed values from Iranna-Bapat's model are compared with the measured values. Iranna-Bapat's model demonstrated acceptable results, and statistically displayed lower RMSE. Therefore this model could be a good estimator for predicting the global solar radiation at other locations for Egypt, where such data is not available.

Keywords: global solar radiation; site independence; estimation; Egypt; solar energy; solar power; Iranna-Bapat model; meteorological parameters; ambient temperature; humidity; wind speed; moisture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2013.052978

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2013 Vol.4 No.2, pp.157 - 171

Received: 23 Feb 2012
Accepted: 16 Oct 2012

Published online: 30 Jan 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article