The global solar radiation estimation and analysis of solar energy: Case study for Osmaniye,Turkey

This paper investigates the prediction of solar radiation model and actual solar energy in Osmaniye, Turkey. Four models were used to estimate using the parameters of sunshine duration and average temperature. In order to obtain the statistical performance analysis of models, the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean absolute bias error (MABE), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used. Results obtained from the linear regression using the parameters of sunshine duration and average temperature showed a good prediction of the monthly average daily global solar radiation on a horizontal surface. In order to obtain solar energy, daily and monthly average solar radiation values were calculated from the five minute average recorded values by using meteorological measuring device. As a result of this measurement, the highest monthly and yearly mean solar radiation values were 698 (April in 2013) and 549 (2014 year) W/m² respectively. On an annual scale the maximum global solar radiation changes from 26.38 MJ/m²/day by June to 19.19 MJ/m²/day by September in 2013. Minimum global solar radiation changes from 14.05 MJ/m²/day by October to 7.20 MJ/m²/day by January in 2013. Yearly average energy potential during the measurement period was 16.53 MJ/m²/day (in 2013). The results show that Osmaniye has a considerable solar energy potential to produce electricity.     

Comparison of the daily global solar radiation from different data sources in Northwest China climate

The solar radiation data are of high importance to the solar energy systems. Conventional methods to obtain the solar radiation data are from weather stations, solar radiation models, commercial software databases, and field measurements. In the present study, a new daily global solar radiation model is proposed, by combining the quadratic function of sunshine fraction and sine function of the day of the year. The solar radiation model calculated data are then compared with China Meteorological Data Sharing System (CMDSS) data, TRNSYS data, and field-measured data in Northwest China climate. It is found that the newly proposed solar radiation model has better performance than the other nine solar radiation models in the literature. The solar radiation model calculated data fit well with the CMDSS annually average data. The TRNSYS data are a bit larger than the CMDSS annually average data in summer half year and a little smaller than those in winter half year. The solar radiation model and the CMDSS annually average data have the best correlation, whereas the TRNSYS data and the field-measured data have the worst correlation. The solar radiation model calculated data have the best correlation with the other three data sources.     

A simple method for partitioning total solar radiation into diffuse/direct components in the United States

Solar radiation is a major sustainable and clean energy resource, and use of solar radiation is expected to increase. The utilization efficiency of solar energy varies with the relative proportions of the direct and diffuse components that compose total solar radiation and with the slope and aspect of the irradiated surface. The purpose of this paper is to develop a simple method for estimating diffuse and direct solar radiation at sites with observation of only total solar radiation. An existing model for estimating diffuse radiation, i.e., a linear relationship between the diffuse fraction (the ratio of diffuse radiation to total solar radiation) and the clearness index (the ratio of total solar radiation to extraterrestrial radiation), is applied to 7 sites across the continental United States with observations of diffuse and total radiation. The linear model shows good monthly performance. The model parameters (slope and interception) show a strong seasonal pattern that exhibits small variation across the 7 sites; therefore, the average values of the two monthly parameters may be used for estimating diffuse radiation for other locations with observations of total radiation.     

Modeling urban solar energy with high spatiotemporal resolution: A case study in Toronto,Canada

This research presents a method to determine the maximum potential for the capturing of solar radiation on the rooftop of buildings in an urban environment. This involves the modeling of solar energy potential and comparison to historical building energy demand profiles through the use of 3-D solar simulation software tools and geographic information systems (GIS). The objective is to accurately identify the amount of surface area that is suitable for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and to estimate the hourly PV electricity generation potential of existing building rooftops in an urban environment. This study demonstrates a viable approach for modeling urban solar energy and offers valuable information for electricity distributors, policy makers, and urban energy planners to facilitate the substantial design of a green built environment. The developed methodology is comprised of three main sections: (1) determination of suitable rooftop area, (2) determination of the amount of incident solar radiation available per rooftop, and (3) estimation of hourly solar PV electricity generation potential. A case study was performed using this method for Ryerson University, located in Toronto, Canada. It was found that solar PV could supply up to 19% of the study area’s electricity demands during peak consumption hours. The potential benefits of solar PV was also estimated based upon hourly greenhouse gas emission intensity factors as well as Time-of-Use (TOU) savings through the Ontario Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program, which allows for better representation of the positive impacts of solar technologies.     

CFD analysis on the performance of a solar chimney power plant system: Case study in Algeria

The solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is a power generator which uses solar radiation to increase the internal energy of the air circulating in the system, thereby transforming the useful gain of the solar collector into kinetic energy. The produced kinetic energy then can be converted into electrical energy by means of an appropriate turbine. In this paper, four locations in Algeria

(Constantine, Ouargla, Adrar, and Tamanrasset) were considered as case studies to describe the SCPP mechanism in detail. Numerical simulation of an SCPP which has the same geometrical dimensions was performed to estimate the power output of SCPP in these regions. Using the CFD software FLUENT we simulated a two-dimensional axisymmetric model of a SCPP with the standard k-ε turbulence model. The simulation results show that the highest power output produced monthly average value 68–73 KW over the year and the highest hourly power produced in June is around 109–113 KW.     

Prediction of diffuse solar radiation using satellite data

In the project of the solar systems, the values of the solar radiation of a region must be known. The global solar radiation measurements are performed by the Turkish Meteorological Service in Turkey, while the diffuse solar radiation measurements are unavailable. In this study, some new models for predicting the monthly average daily diffuse solar radiation on a horizontal surface for Erzincan, Turkey are developed using satellite data. The evaluation of the models is carried out with the statistical analysis methods of mean bias error (MBE), root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient (r). The results are proved that the correlation equations obtained in here can be used to forecast diffuse solar radiation reasonably well.     

Analysis of a solar photovoltaic-assisted absorption refrigeration system for domestic air conditioning

Theoretical model of a solar photovoltaic integrated water-Lithium bromide absorption system is presented for domestic air conditioning. Surplus electrical energy from photovoltaic modules is used for charging the battery, which is utilized during the periods of zero or insufficient solar radiation. Minimum solar area required for each month is calculated and October is identified as the month requiring the highest area of photovoltaic arrays for a constant cooling load of 3.5 kW. The integrated system is found to be capable of sufficient amount of surplus electrical energy generation during both summer and winter months, with a daily excess of about 815 Ah of electrical energy on average over a complete calendar year. Designed system is found to be economically viable, having an energy payback period of 2.7 years.     

A solar hybrid thermoelectric generator and distillation system

A solar still of a single basin-slope coupled with a finned condensing chamber and installed thermoelectric modules at the bottom of the water basin has been presented in this paper. A mathematical model under steady state conditions has been introduced and improved to investigate the system performance. An increase of solar radiation and ambient temperature or a decrease in wind velocity affect positively the distillation rate, the still efficiency, and the system efficiency. Integrating a condenser and finned condenser increases the distillation rate of the proposed system. The results of the simulation have been verified by comparing them with published theoretical and experimental results, and the comparison shows very good agreement.     

Global solar radiation and energy yield estimation from photovoltaic power plants for small loads

Daily global solar radiation on a horizontal surface and duration of sunshine hours have been determined experimentally for five meteorological stations in Saudi Arabia, namely, Abha, Al-Ahsa, Al-Jouf, Al-Qaisumah, and Wadi Al-Dawaser sites. Five-years of data covering 1998–2002 period have been used. Suitable Angstrom models have been developed for the global solar radiation estimation as a function of the sunshine duration for each respective sites. Daily averages of monthly solar PV power outputs have been determined using the Angstrom models developed. The effect of the PV cell temperature on the PV efficiency has been considered in calculating the PV power output. The annual average PV output energy has been discussed in all five sites for small loads. The minimum and maximum monthly average values of the daily global solar radiation are found to be 12.09 MJ/m²/d and 30.42 MJ/m²/d for Al-Qaisumah and Al-Jouf in the months of December June, respectively. Minimum monthly average sunshine hours of 5.89 hr were observed in Al-Qaisumah in December while a maximum of 12.92 hr in Al-Jouf in the month of June. Shortest range of sunshine hours of 7.33–10.12 hr was recorded at Abha station. Minimum monthly average Solar PV power of 1.59 MJ/m²/day was obtained at Al-Qaisumah in the month of December and a maximum of 3.39 MJ/m²/day at Al-Jouf in June. The annual PV energy output was found to be 276.04 kWh/m², 257.36 kWh/m², 256.75 kWh/m², 245.44 kWh/m², and 270.95 kWh/m² at Abha, Al-Ahsa, Al-Jouf, Al-Qaisumah, and Wadi Al-Dawaser stations, respectively. It is found that the Abha site yields the highest solar PV energy among the five sites considered.     

Looking beyond incentives: the role of champions in the social acceptance of residential solar energy in regional Australian communities

Research into renewable energy adoption is increasingly identifying that the successful implementation of renewable energy projects is influenced by a combination of market, community and socio-political acceptance of renewable energy technology. This research uses case studies in two regional Australian communities to examine the social acceptance of residential solar energy, in particular under the influence of financial incentives and social interactions. Fifty-five semi-structured interviews with members of the local community, industry and government were undertaken between May and October 2015. Respondents were asked about their perceptions and knowledge of solar energy and incentives to support its adoption, and their interactions with actors important in the diffusion process. Responses indicated that financial incentives motivated solar adoption; however, social interactions in the communities also contributed to decision-making. In one case study, a local “solar champion” built a private solar farm to demonstrate the technical feasibility of solar, assisted community members with physically installing their own systems and helped community members to maximise the financial benefits of their solar installations. This solar champion contributed to this community having an earlier and more rapid rate of small-scale solar adoption compared with the second case study community. The second case study community included two individuals interested in promoting solar energy; however, they were less integrated with the community’s process of adopting solar, resulting in community members experiencing substandard installations and consequent distrust of the solar industry. This research concludes that local context influences solar adoption through complex interactions among market, community and socio-political acceptance.     

Development of new monthly global and diffuse solar irradiation estimation methodologies and comparisons

In assessing and deciding the prediction schemes of solar irradiation countrywide, better the accuracy means better the management of energy transition toward renewables. Consequently, the present study is on the development of new models to make the most accurate possible estimations of the global and diffuse solar irradiation based on ground measurements. Such analysis produces the most accurate estimations for the input of solar energy systems. This is utmost significant for deciding the investments on solar energy systems and their design periods. Turkey is a high-potent country whose solar energy market has been growing rapidly. She doesn’t have adequate reliable measurement network and there is no estimation methodology developed for each and every point within its territory. Moreover, installing such a measurement system network doesn’t seem to be economically feasible and technically possible, inter alia. Accordingly, this study defines a methodology to make the most accurate estimations of monthly mean daily solar irradiation on horizontal surface and its diffuse and beam components. For the global and diffuse estimations, new methodologies in linear and quadratic forms are developed, compared, and discussed. The comparison is applied by using mean bias error and root mean square error statistical comparison methods. The measured data values used for modeling and comparisons are provided from the State Meteorological Service of Turkey responsible authority for solar irradiation measurements. The results revealed that the methodologies explained in this study give very high accurate values of total solar irradiation on a horizontal surface and its diffuse component.     

Comparisons and critical assessment of global and diffuse solar irradiation estimation methodologies

Defining better methodologies of accurate predictions of the amount of monthly mean daily global and diffuse solar irradiation exposed is of utmost importance in order to determine the potential for utilizing the solar energy. This study compares and discusses the main methodologies, databases, and software that are used in estimating the solar irradiation to be used for the short- and long-term performances and feasibilities of solar energy systems, especially photovoltaic power plants in Turkey, and addresses the best one to be used to make the most accurate estimations. The comparisons are carried out between the recent methodologies developed by the authors, some models taken from the related literature that are concluded to be better, a widely used database, namely Meteonorm, and a widely used software, namely EU PVGIS. The reference data to develop the methodologies and to make comparison are provided from the State Meteorological Service of Turkey, which is the responsible body in Turkey to make measurements of solar irradiation. The comparisons are based on monthly mean daily values of global and diffuse solar irradiation and are carried out by statistical errors: mean bias error and root mean square error. The results showed that the methodology developed by the authors has shown better performances in estimating the monthly mean daily global and diffuse solar irradiation amount for Turkey.     

Heat loss analysis: An approach toward the revival of parabolic dish type solar cooker

Present work investigates a noble approach toward the heat loss analysis of parabolic dish type solar cooker. Various experiments have been done on cooking pot to get the input parameter for calculation purposes. Cooking pot was kept at the focus of a parabolic dish type concentrator and repeated experiments have been done to measure solar radiation intensity (direct and Indirect) using a pyrometer, temperature at the focus of parabolic dish using a thermocouple and air velocity using hot wire anemometer to investigate the heat losses from the cooking pot. In the present article, a numerical approach has been performed to define the new parameter called performance index of the cooking pot which decides how the useful energy of working fluid inside the cooking pot approaches concentration ratio of the parabolic dish type solar cooker. The present analysis shows that the performance index varies from 15.45 to 17.66 and efficiency varies from 85.83% to 98.10% with the time of the day.     

An affordable green energy source—Evolving through current developments of organic,dye sensitized,and perovskite solar cells

Intensive R&D efforts made in solar photovoltaic area has enabled Si, GaAs, CdTe, and CIGS devices exhibiting nearly ideal efficiencies. However, cost incurred per unit energy does not allow them to qualify for alternate energy source besides environmental issues at production floors. Consequently, search is still continuing not only to reduce cost by improved efficiency, reduced materials cost, and simplified processing resulting in a cleaner and greener technology. Current successes in organic, dye-sensitized, and perovskite solar cells with efficiencies in 10–15% range raise concrete hope for evolving a low cost and green technology involving solution processable organic/inorganic compounds extendable to roll-to-roll production. The current status and future prospects of these three promising routes are reviewed here highlighting the possibility of an emerging alternate green energy source to supplement the conventional ones at commercial level.     

Comparative study on performances of a heat-pipe PV/T system and a heat-pipe solar water heating system

The heat-pipe solar water heating (HP-SWH) system and the heat-pipe photovoltaic/thermal (HP-PV/T) system are two practical solar systems, both of which use heat pipes to transfer heat. By selecting appropriate working fluid of the heat-pipes, these systems can be used in the cold region without being frozen. However, performances of these two solar systems are different because the HP-PV/T system can simultaneously provide electricity and heat, whereas the HP-SWH system provides heat only. In order to understand these two systems, this work presents a mathematical model for each system to study their one-day and annual performances. One-day simulation results showed that the HP-SWH system obtained more thermal energy and total energy than the HP-PV/T system while the HP-PV/T system achieved higher exergy efficiency than the HP-SWH system. Annual simulation results indicated that the HP-SWH system can heat the water to the available temperature (45°C) solely by solar energy for more than 121 days per year in typical climate regions of China, Hong Kong, Lhasa, and Beijing, while the HP-PV/T system can only work for not more than 102 days. The HP-PV/T system, however, can provide an additional electricity output of 73.019 kWh/m², 129.472 kWh/m², and 90.309 kWh/m² per unit collector area in the three regions, respectively.     

Drying of salted silver jewfish in a hybrid solar drying system and under open sun: Modeling and performance analyses

This study investigated the thin-layer drying kinetics of salted silver jewfish in a hybrid solar drying system and under open sun. Ten drying models were compared with experimental data of salted silver jewfish drying. A new model was introduced, which is an offset linear logarithmic (offset modified Page model). The fit quality of the models was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), and sum of squared absolute error (SSAE). The result showed that Midilli et al. model and new model were comparable with two or three-term exponential drying models. This study also analyzed energy and exergy during solar drying of salted silver jewfish. Energy analysis throughout the solar drying process was estimated on the basis of the first law of thermodynamics, whereas exergy analysis during solar drying was determined on the basis of the second law of thermodynamics. At an average solar radiation of 540 W/m² and a mass flow rate of 0.0778 kg/sec, the collector efficiency and drying system efficiency were about 41% and 23%, respectively. Specific energy consumption was 2.92 kWh/kg. Moreover, the exergy efficiency during solar drying process ranged from 17% to 44%, with an average value of 31%. The values of improvement potential varied between 106 and 436 W, with an average of 236 W.     

Thermal Modeling and Performance Evaluation of Photovoltaic Thermal (PV/T) Systems: A Parametric Study

Conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) module converts the light component of solar radiation into electrical power, and heat part is absorbed by module increasing its operating temperature. Combined PV module and heat exchanger generating both electrical and thermal powers is called as hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar system. The paper presents the design of a PV/T collector, made with thin film PV technology and a spiral flow absorber, and a simulation model, developed through the system of several mathematical equations, to evaluate the performance of PV/T water collectors. The effect of various parameters on the thermal and electrical efficiency has been investigated to obtain optimum combination of parameters. Finally, a numerical simulation has been carried out for the daily and annual yield of the proposed PV/T collector, and comparison with a standard PV module is discussed.     

The transformational potential of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions in Tanzania: assessing the concept’s cultural legitimacy among stakeholders in the solar energy sector

While energy-sector emissions remain the biggest source of climate change, many least-developed countries still invest in fossil-fuel development paths. These countries generally have high levels of fossil-fuel technology lock-in and low capacities to change, making the shift to sustainable energy difficult. Tanzania, a telling example, is projected to triple fossil-fuel power production in the next decade. This article assesses the potential to use internationally supported Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) to develop solar energy in Tanzania and contribute to transformational change of the electricity supply system. By assessing the cultural legitimacy of NAMAs among key stakeholders in the solar energy sector, we analyse the conditions for successful uptake of the concept in (1) national political thought and institutional frameworks and (2) the solar energy niche. Interview data are analysed from a multi-level perspective on transition, focusing on its cultural dimension. Several framings undermining legitimacy are articulated, such as attaching low-actor credibility to responsible agencies and the concept’s poor fit with political priorities. Actors that discern opportunities for NAMAs could, however, draw on a framing of high commensurability between experienced social needs and opportunities to use NAMAs to address them through climate-compatible development. This legitimises NAMAs and could challenge opposing framings.     

Techno-economic and environmental analysis of an integrated standalone hybrid solar hydrogen system to supply CCHP loads of a greenhouse in Iran

The techno-economic and environmental performance of hybrid solar hydrogen energy systems was investigated to provide combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) demands of a standalone greenhouse in Iran to achieve sustainable agriculture based on an optimization procedure. From the environmental point of view, by deploying hybrid energy systems, 83%, to 100% of emissions can be avoided. Also a sensitivity analysis was performed on the hybrid energy systems in order to study the effect of major parameter variation on the systems justification. It was concluded that hybrid solar systems are economically competitive with conventional systems, for high solar intensity locations with high diesel fuel prices and decreased prices for PV and hydrogen storage technology.     

Nano-textured polysilicon solar absorption films

Nano-textured polysilicon (poly-Si) solar absorption films are to be applied to the solar receiver of solar thermal electricity Stirling engine. These films were fabricated by deposition of hydrogenated amorphous silicon films (a-Si:H) into poly-Si films, using the pulse-wave modulation plasma and furnace annealing of the a-Si:H films. This is followed by wet etching of poly-Si films into nano-textured structures. The films are then coated with a-SiN_x:H films as the antireflection and protection layers. It was observed that increasing the pulsed plasma turn-on (t_on) time leads to deposition of less dense a-Si:H film with high hydrogen content and void density. This results in films having low dielectric constant and refractive index, and high optical bandgap. Less-dense a-Si:H film can be transferred into large grain size poly-Si film, using annealing. Also, highly rough nano-textured surface structure can be produced, by etching. The denser a-Si:H film, large grain size poly-Si film, and nano-textured surface poly-Si film can enhance the absorbance of sunlight and reduce the emissivity of far infrared light. The nano-textured poly-Si film coated with an a-SiN_x:H layer can effectively increase the absorbance of sunlight to approximately 85% and reduce the emissivity of far infrared light to 49%. The nano-textured poly-Si/a-SiN_x:H films can be used as efficient solar absorption films for solar thermal electricity Stirling engine.