A research study (12 credits) submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Research Studies Project Report (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1984

This study pertains to the methods of estimation measurement and utilization of solar radiation, the chief purpose of the study is to estimate magnitude of uncertainties of a result of inaccurate solar radiation data and due to use of different statistical radiation correlations available in literature. The analysis is split into several parts: Daily and Hourly Radiation over inclined surfaces, Monthly mean daily radiation over inclined surfaces, and Hourly and Daily Utilizability sections. It has been found that small errors in solar radiation may give rise to large errors in the estimation of total radiation over inclined surfaces, and that usage of different empirical correlations can cause significant variations in estimated radiation over inclined surfaces. It has also been shown that Utilizability values are affected by the usage of different empirical correlations. In each section graphs have been made to represent the magnitude of uncertainties that can occur. All the programs are carefully classified and are available on magnetic tape in the Energy Technology Division.