Solar Radiation and Irradiance Measurements

Solar Radiation
and Irradiance Measurement

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo
College of Engineering
University of the Philippines, Diliman
Outline
Solar Radiation
1. Structure and Characteristics of the Sun
2. Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation
3. Terrestrial Solar Radiation

University of the Philippines
Solar Radiation
What is solar radiation?
How is solar radiation produced?
How does solar radiation reach the earth from
the sun?
What are the factors affecting solar energy as
a resource?
How does the sun move with respect to the
earth?
How do you maximize solar energy
utilization?

Sun Structure and Characteristics

Radius of the Sun = 695,000,000 m
Effective Temperature = ~ 5,503oC
From its mass, the sun is composed of
73% hydrogen, 25 % helium, and 1.7%
of all the rest of the elements
Contrary to popular belief, the sun is
composed of several dense gas layers
with varying temperatures for each layer

Structure of the Sun


Core
- comprises 40% of the mass

of the sun
- where 90% of the energy
utilized and emitted by the
sun is generated
- Temperature = ~ 8,000,000
to 15,000,000oC
- Region: 0 to 159,850,000 m
- Extremely High Density


Convective
- Extremely
Zone
Low Density
- Temperature = ~ 5,000oC
- Region: 486,500,000 to
695,000,000 m


Photosphere
- Outer layer of the

convection zone
- Source of most solar
radiation emissions


Envelope
1. Reversing Layer
- low temperature as
compared to photosphere
2. Chromosphere
- Higher temperature as
compared to photosphere
3. Corona
- Region of low density and
very high temperature
Movement of Solar Radiation

from the Sun to the Earth
Top of the Atmosphere = ~40 km
Surface of the Earth
Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation

Earths Atmosphere
(Terrestrial Solar Radiation)

Solar Radiation as measured from
the sun to the top of the Earths
atmosphere
Relevance:
Indicates the maximum possible

radiation that could reach the Earths
surface
Serves as a reference value for various
radiation calculations
Solar Constant
The
total energy from the sun received

on a unit area of the earths surface in
one second
Estimated at the average distance
between the earth (from the top of the
atmosphere) and the sun
Currently accepted value = 1,367 W/m2

Solar Constant
Graphical Representation of the Solar Constant
Unit surface located ~ 40 km on top

of earths atmosphere

Spectral Distribution
Variations of Extraterrestrial
Solar Radiation
Variations
due to the periodic variations

in the physical nature of the sun, usually
less than 0.2% to 1.5% of the accepted
value
Variations due to changes in the mean
distance of the earth and sun
periodically during the year, usually in
the range of + 3% of the accepted value
Reduction in Intensity of
The intensity of the extraterrestrial solar

radiation falling on the surface of the earth
can be influenced by several factors:
1.
Astronomical Factors (Sun-Earth Distance

Variations and Inherent Physical Variations
of the Sun)
Geographical Factors (Latitude, Longtitude,
and Height above Sea Level)
Physical Factors (Absorption and Scattering
by the Atmosphere)
Meteorological Factors (Cloudiness)
2.
3.
4.

Effect of the Atmosphere

The atmosphere reduces the incident
extraterrestrial solar radiation through
the following phenomena:
1. Scattering by air molecules, water
vapor, and dust
2. Absorption by water vapor, ozone, and
carbon dioxide

Effect of the Atmosphere

Concept of Air Mass (m)

The numerical comparison between the length

of the path the incident solar radiation
traverses and the vertical path through the
atmosphere.
at m = 0 (outside the earths atmosphere)
m = 1 (when the sun is directly above)
m = 2 (when the sun is 60o from observer)

Concept of Air Mass (m)

AC = Vertical Depth of Atmosphere
A
B
BC = Path Length Traversed by

Incident Solar Radiation
C
R
Top of Atmosphere
Surface of Earth
Air Mass = BC / AC
10
Terrestrial Solar Radiation

Effective solar radiation that reaches the

surface of the earth
Learning Objective:
1.
2.
Estimate the position and behavior of the

sun with respect to an observer located at
any point on the earth
Discuss the methods available to estimate
and predict the solar radiation falling on the
surface of the earth at different times and at
various surface orientation
Plotting Positions on the

Latitude
Imaginary lines running from east to west

Provides the horizontal positions of
locations on the Earths surface
Longitude
Imaginary lines running from north to south

Provides the vertical positions of locations
on the Earths surface
11
Plotting Positions on the

Latitude and Longitude

Solar Time
Solar
time gives a measure of the

elasped period or time interval with
respect to the movement of the sun
longitudinally during one solar day
Solar Day Time interval between two

successive passages of the sun across
the meridian of the observer

12
Solar Time
Difference of Solar Time as Compared to
Conventional Time
Conventional
or watch time is dependent

only on the difference of the standard
meridian of the region and the prime
meridian

Solar Time
Equation
of Time (EOT)
- Correction factor used to account for the
variations on the speed of rotation of the earth
- Given by the equation:
EOT = 9.87 Sin 2B 7.53 Cos B 1.5 Sin B

where:
B = 360 (N 81) / 364
N = Day number of the year
13
Solar Time
Solar
Time can be given as:
Solar Time = Watch Time + EOT -
where:
= 4(Standard Meridian Local Meridian)
Solar Time
Note:
Solar time is the time specified in all
sun-earth relationships and ALL
calculations in solar energy are based
on solar time

14
Variations of Solar Radiation

Variations of the Solar Radiation received
on the Earths surface:

Hourly Variation
Seasonal Variation
Location
Surface Orientation


Hourly Variation

15
Hour Angle
- Angular movement of the sun east or
west of the local meridian due to the
rotation of the earth on its axis
- Given by the following equation:
= 15 (t 12) degrees
where: t = solar time in hours

Hour Angle
Note:
The hour angle is utilized with reference
to a particular location or site

16
Sunset or Sunrise Hour Angle

Sunset
Hour Angle
- Hour angle at the time of sunrise or
sunset
Estimation Parameters
1. Declination
2. Latitude

Sunset
or Sunrise Hour Angle is given

by the equation:
Cos s = - Tan Tan

17
Daylength
Daylength
can be given as:
Daylength = (2/15) s hrs


Seasonal Variation

18
Declination
-
The angular distance north or south of the

equator of the point when the sun is at its
highest point (zenith).
Given by the equation:
= 23.45 Sin (360 (284+N)/365) degrees

where:
N = day number of the year


Surface Orientation ()
- Angle or tilt of the surface or collector with
respect to the ground
Horizontal
Tilted

19
Earths View of the Sun

Relative Position
Altitude ()
Azimuth ()
Vertical Location of the sun with respect to the line

of sight of the observer and the ground
Horizontal position of the sun with respect to due
south
Incidence Angle ()
Angle between the incident solar radiation on a

surface and the line perpendicular to that surface

Altitude and Azimuth Angles

20

Parameter of Estimation for Incidence Angle
1.
Declination
Latitude
Tilt Angle
Azimuth Angle
Hour Angle
2.
3.
4.
5.

1.
Parameter of Estimation for Altitude Angle

Incidence Angle

Incidence
Angle
Cos = Sin Sin Cos - Sin Cos Sin Cos +

Cos Cos Cos Cos + Cos Sin Sin Cos
Cos + Cos Sin Sin Sin
Altitude
Angle
= 90 -

21

Parameters
for Estimation of the

Azimuth Angle
1. Hour Angle
2. Declination
3. Latitude


Azimuth Angle
s = C1 C2 s + C3 (1 C1 C2 / 2) 180
Tan s = Sin / Sin Cos Cos Tan

C1 = {1 if || < ew, -1 otherwise}
C2 = {1 if ( ) > 0, -1 otherwise}
C3 = {1 if > 0, -1 otherwise}
Cos ew = Tan / Tan
22
Earths View of the Surface

Sun
Path Diagram

Intensity of Solar Radiation

(Extraterrestrial)
Parameters
for Estimation for Intensity

(Any time frame)
1. Solar
Constant
2. Day Number of the Year

23

(Extraterrestrial)
Therefore, for any day of the year the

intensity of the extraterrestrial solar radiation
can be calculated by using the equation
below:
In = Isc (1 + 0.033 Cos (360 n / 365))
where: n = to the day number of the year

Isc = Solar Constant
In = Intensity for any day

(Extraterrestrial)
Parameters
for Calculating the Intensity

of Hourly Extraterrestrial Radiation
1. Solar Constant
3. Latitude
4. Declination
5. Hour Angle
24

(Extraterrestrial)
Parameters
for Calculating the Intensity

of Daily Extraterrestrial Radiation
1. Solar Constant
3. Latitude
4. Declination
5. Hour Angle at Sunset or Sunrise

(Extraterrestrial)
Hourly
Io = [(12)(3,600) / 2] Isc [(1+0.033 Cos [(360) (n) /

365] ] [Cos Cos (Sin 2 1) + /180 (2
1) Sin Sin ]
Daily
Ho = [(24) (3,600) / ] Isc [(1+0.033 Cos [(360) (n) /

365] ] Cos Cos Sin s + /180 s Sin Sin ]
25

(Extraterrestrial)
From the previous slides, the extraterrestrial

solar radiation on a surface perpendicular to
the suns rays at the mean earth-sun distance
is given by the solar constant
For other times when the distance to the sun

with respect to the earth is not equal to the
mean distance, the intensity of the solar
radiation on a surface perpendicular to the
rays of the sun on the top of the atmosphere
depends on the day
Clearness Index
Numerical
comparison of the incident

solar radiation with respect to time to
that of the extraterrestrial radiation
Daily:
Hourly:
K = H / Ho
k = I / Io

26
Estimation of Solar Radiation

Parameters
for Estimating Monthly

Average Daily Horizontal Global
Radiation
1. Solar Radiation Regression Coefficients
2. Daylength
3. Average Sunshine Duration


Prediction of monthly average daily horizontal global

radiation from sunshine duration
Utilization of sunshine records into the modified

Angstrom correlation:
H
n
= a + b
Ho
N
where:
n = denotes the monthly average measured sunshine
duration (hrs)
N = denotes the monthly average maximum possible
sunshine duration (hrs) (obtained from the daylength
calculation)
27

Parameters
for Estimating Monthly

Average Daily Horizontal Diffuse
Radiation
1. Clearness Index
2. Sunset or Sunrise Hour Angle
3. Monthly Average Daily Horizontal
Radiation

Prediction of monthly average daily horizontal

diffuse radiation from monthly average daily
horizontal radiation
Hd
= 1.391 356K + 4.189K 2 2.137 K 3 for s < 81.4o
H
Hd
= 1.311 3.022K + 3.427 K 2 1.821K 3 for s > 81.4o
H

28

Parameters for Estimating Daily Horizontal

Diffuse Radiation
1.

Clearness Index
Daily Horizontal Global Radiation
2.
3.


Prediction of daily horizontal diffuse radiation

from daily horizontal global radiation
Hd
= 1 0.2727K + 2.4495K 2 11.9514K 3 + 9.3879K 4
H
for s < 81.4o, K< 0.715, Otherwise =0.143
Hd
= 1 + 0.2832K 2.5557K 2 + 0.8448K 3
H
for s . 81.4o, K< 0.722, Otherwise =0.175

29

Parameter
for Estimation of Monthly

Average Hourly Horizontal Diffuse
Radiation
Diffuse Radiation
2. Hour Angle

Prediction of monthly average hourly horizontal global

radiation from monthly average daily horizontal global
radiation
(a + bCos ) Cos Cos s

=
H 24
Sin s
s Cos s
180
where:
a = 0.409 + 0.5016 Sin (s 60)

b = 0.6609 + 0.4767 Sin (s 60)
30

Parameter
for Estimation of Monthly

Average Hourly Horizontal Diffuse
Radiation
Diffuse Radiation
2. Hour Angle

Prediction of monthly average hourly horizontal

diffuse radiation from monthly average daily
horizontal diffuse radiation
Id
Cos Cos s
=
H d 24 Sin Cos
s
s
s
180

31

Parameter
for Estimation of Hourly

Horizontal Diffuse Radiation
1. Hourly Horizontal Global Radiation
2. Clearness Index


Prediction of hourly horizontal diffuse radiation

from hourly horizontal global radiation
Id
= 1 0.09k for k< 0.022
I
for 0.22 < k < 0.8
Id
= 0.9511 0.1604k + 4.388k 2 16.638k 3 +12.336k 4
I
for k > 0.8
Id
= 0.165
I
32
and in Conclusion
- The theoretical and analytic component
of solar radiation studies can be quite
confusing and hard to understand. =(
However, solar radiation scientists and
engineers have formulated practical
methods and techniques to simplify the
investigation into this potentially vital
energy resource. =)
Mabuhay Kayong Lahat!

33

Solar Radiation and Irradiance Measurements

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Solar Radiation

and Irradiance Measurement

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Sun Structure and Characteristics

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Structure of the Sun

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Structure of the Sun

- comprises 40% of the mass

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Structure of the Sun

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Structure of the Sun

- Outer layer of the

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Structure of the Sun

Movement of Solar Radiation

Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation

Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation

Indicates the maximum possible

total energy from the sun received

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Unit surface located ~ 40 km on top

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation

due to the periodic variations

The intensity of the extraterrestrial solar

Astronomical Factors (Sun-Earth Distance

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Effect of the Atmosphere

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Effect of the Atmosphere

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Concept of Air Mass (m)

The numerical comparison between the length

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Concept of Air Mass (m)

BC = Path Length Traversed by

Terrestrial Solar Radiation

Effective solar radiation that reaches the

Estimate the position and behavior of the

Plotting Positions on the

Imaginary lines running from east to west

Imaginary lines running from north to south

Plotting Positions on the

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

time gives a measure of the

Solar Day Time interval between two

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

or watch time is dependent

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

EOT = 9.87 Sin 2B 7.53 Cos B 1.5 Sin B

Time can be given as:

Solar Time = Watch Time + EOT -

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Variations of Solar Radiation

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Variations of Solar Radiation

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Prof. Rowaldo del Mundo

Sunset or Sunrise Hour Angle