Solar Energy for Power Generation: A Review of Solar Radiation Measurement Processes and Global Solar Radiation Modelling Techniques

Abstract

Solar Energy is the cleanest and the most abundantrenewable energy in the world Solar radiation are the most important resources needed for solar energy system design Knowledge of the auf amountsolar radiation in any location of interest is of prime importance to the solar energy design expert This study examine the influence of atmospheric components on solar radiation passing through the atmosphere. The intensity radiation is attenuatedas it passes through the earth's atmosphere . Also methods of solar radiationmeasurement and the various empirical models for estimating global solar radiation in area where such data are not available are presented. However, no method can be acclaimed to be the best as the performance of the models vary with location Hybrid parameter based models have been reported to predict global solar radiation on horizontal surface with a high degree of accuracy in many locations across the globe. Finally, two stimulation tools for analysing solar power system were discussed RETScreen software is majorly wed for Photovoltaic applications while HOMER includes additional renewable energy simulation features which make a suitable for analysing hybridpower system.