Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

Development of Diffused Solar Radiation Maps using GIS Software for

Malaysia
A.W. AZHARI1,2, M.A. ALGHOUL1, S.H. ZAIDI1, A.H. IBRAHIM2, J.M. ABDULATEEF,
A. ZAHARIM1 & K. SOPIAN1
1
Solar Energy Research Institute
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor
2
School of Environmental Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Perlis
01000 Kangar, Perlis
Malaysia
E-mail: ayuwazira@yahoo.com, dr.alghoul@gmail.com, ksopian@eng.ukm.my

Abstract:- The maps for diffuse solar radiation will be very helpful in designing of solar energy system as well
as interior illumination of a building. If the presentation of diffuse solar radiation is in maps form, it will
facilitate engineers and architect purposes and applications. In this study, measured and estimated global solar
radiation at different locations over Malaysia was used. The estimation of diffuse radiation from global
radiation data can give results at acceptable accuracy and low cost to establish solar mapping of monthly and
yearly average diffuse radiation using GIS software. On average, Malaysia receives from 2.65 kWh/m2 to
2.977kWh/m2 of diffuse solar radiation in a year. The highest diffuse solar radiation is estimated at
3.210kWh/m2 in September while the lowest is 0.858 kWh/m2 in December.

Keywords:- solar, measured and estimated global radiation, diffuse radiation, GIS software, radiation map

Nomenclature

δ angle of declination
EB direct solar radiation
ED diffused solar radiation
Eextra extraterrestrial solar irradiation
ER reflected solar radiation
ET global solar irradiation
Io solar constant, 1.367 kW/m2
KT clearness index
L latitude
n number of the day

1 Introduction irradiations are widely available, most of the models

In assessing the performance of systems utilizing
solar energy, an important input parameter is the
diffuse solar irradiation component at the location of
interest. Diffuse irradiation also has an application
in illumination inside buildings [1]. In Malaysia,
global solar radiation data have been recorded at
many meteorological stations, but the corresponding
diffuse radiation records are scarce. Thus, the
diffuse radiation must be estimated through models
and correlations. Since data for global solar
developed relate diffuse solar irradiation to global
solar irradiations [2, 3].
Many researchers have studied the correlations
with data from various regions. Some researchers
have found that the regression parameters in
correlations determined by linear regressions using
the daily global and diffuse solar radiation at
different sites often show remarkable similarity [4].
However, when the monthly average daily global
and diffuse radiation is used to form the regression
correlations, the regression parameters have been

ISBN: 978-1-61804-082-4 124

 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

found to vary substantially between sites and the

accuracy of the correlation reduced [5]. 2
Day length = cos −1 (− tan L tan δ ) (2)
In recent years, various methods have been used 15
in estimates of diffuse solar radiation for different
locations [6 - 10]. However, very little work has  360(284 + n ) 
been done for Malaysia and most of it was on the δ = 23.45 sin  
(3)
 365 
prediction of global solar radiation only [11 - 15].
In this study, diffuse solar radiation maps was
where Io is the solar constant, 1.367kW/m2, n is the
constructed by using Geographical Information
System (GIS) software where the data used was number of the day, L is the latitude, andδ is the
based on global solar radiation data from Azhari declination angle.
et.al [13] and the recommended equation model Where else, the global solar irradiation (ET)
developed by Khatib et. al. [15]. consists of three parts, which are direct solar
radiation (EB), diffused solar radiation (ED) and
reflected solar radiation (ER). Since on horizontal
surface the reflected solar radiation (ER) is equal to
2 Method and Material zero, ET on a horizontal surface is given as below:
The maps for diffuse solar radiation will be very
helpful in designing of solar energy system as well
ET = E B + E D + E R E R = 0 (4)
as interior illumination of a building. If the
presentation of diffuse solar radiation is in maps ET = E B + E D (5)
form, it will be facilitate engineers and architect
purposes and applications. The clearness index (KT ) can also be calculated by
Geographical Information System (GIS) is a using the below equation:
convenient model to be used in modeling and
mapping of geographical entities. GIS software was ET
used to map diffuse solar radiation based on KT = (6)
E Extra
monthly and yearly average for the year of 2006.
After finding the clearness index, ED can be
calculated by using this equation.
2.1 Solar Radiation Data
Data used in this study consist of global solar
radiation data. The measured diffuse solar radiation ED = f (KT )* ET (7)
in Malaysia is not available for all weather stations.
The use of global solar radiation data seems to be Muneer [16] has recommended an equation that is
the best available method to model and construct the appropriate for most locations worldwide based on
diffuse solar radiation maps. different function from different individual
In estimating and constructing the diffuse solar international sites. The recommended equation is as
radiation maps, the global solar radiation data has to below:
be available. The methods for estimation of global
solar radiation are discussed elsewhere in Azhari el. ED 2
= 0.962 + 0.779KT − 4.375KT + 2.716KT
3
(8)
al. [13]. ET

However, Khatib [15] has developed a new and

2.2 Determination of Diffuse Solar
Radiation
In formulating the model, the extraterrestrial solar
irradiation (Eextra) and the global solar irradiation
(ET) have to be calculated. Eextra is the total solar
energy above the atmosphere while ET is the total
solar energy under the atmosphere. EExtra can be
calculated by using these equations:
   2πn  
EExtra =  I 0 1 + 0.034 cos   × Day length
   365  
more accurate equation for Malaysia based on
derived data collected from different stations in
Malaysia.
ED 2 3
= 0.9505+ 0.91634KT − 4.851KT + 3.2353KT (9)
ET
Measurement of global solar radiation has been
obtained from meteorological department of
(1) Malaysia for the year 2006. In these available data
there are still some daily or monthly missing

ISBN: 978-1-61804-082-4 125

 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

measurements. These missed data has been

estimated by [13].
For the purpose of this study, the new equation
derived from Khatib [15] along with the measured
and estimated global solar radiation will be used to
estimate and map the diffuse solar radiation for
Malaysia by using GIS software.

(a)
3 Results and Discussion
Maps of diffuse solar radiation are very useful
especially in design of solar energy system as well
as interior illumination of a building. Figure 3.1
shows the yearly average daily diffuse solar
radiation map of Malaysia. The map shows that,
Malaysia receives about 2.885 kWh/m2 /year of
yearly diffuse solar radiation compared to 4.96
kWh/m2/year for global solar radiation. The
maximum yearly average daily diffuse solar (b)
radiations received is 2.977 kWh/m2/day mostly in
Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia and
Southern region of East Malaysia. The Southern
and Northeast region of Peninsular Malaysia as well
as most parts in Sabah receives the lowest diffuse
solar radiation. The trend is almost the same
between global and diffuse solar radiation for most
parts in Malaysia.
Figure 3.2 (a-l) show the monthly average daily (c)
diffuse solar radiation of Malaysia for the month of
January until December. In general, the Fig. 3.2 (a-c) Monthly average daily diffuse solar
constructions of monthly average daily diffuse solar radiations of Malaysia for January – March.
radiation maps provide a clearer picture of the
changes in diffuse solar radiation throughout the
year. The value for monthly average daily diffuse
solar radiation varies from 2.1 kWh/m2 up to 3.3
kWh/m2for most months except for December
where the value ranges varies from 0.8 kWh/m2up to
3.1 kWh/m2.

(d)

(e)
Fig. 3.1Yearly average daily diffuse solar radiations
for Malaysia.

ISBN: 978-1-61804-082-4 126

 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

(f) (k)

Fig. 3.2 (d-f) Monthly average daily diffuse solar

radiations of Malaysia for April - June

(l)

Fig. 3.2 (j-l) Monthly average daily diffuse solar

radiations of Malaysia for October – November.
(g)

4 Conclusion
In general, the estimation of diffuse solar radiation
from global solar radiation data can give results at
acceptable accuracy and lower cost. This method is
applicable especially for developed and under
developed countries in manipulating diffuse solar
radiation data for various purposes. On average,
(h) Malaysia receives from 2.65 kWh/m2 to
2.977kWh/m2 of diffuse solar radiation in a year.
The highest diffuse solar radiation is estimated at
3.210kWh/m2 in September while the lowest is
0.858 kWh/m2 in December.

References:
[1] K. K. Gopinathan,.Solar sky radiation
estimation techniques, Solar Energy, 49(1),
1992, 9 – 11.
(i) [2] S. Janjai, P. Praditwong and C. Moonin.A new
Fig. 3.2 (g-i) Monthly average daily diffuse solar model for computing monthly average daily
radiations of Malaysia for July – September diffuse radiation for Bangkok. WREC 1996,
1283 – 1286.
[3] K. K. Gopinathan and A. Soler, Diffuse
radiation models and monthly average, daily,
diffuse data for awide latitude range, Energy,
20(7), 1995, 657–67.
[4] Surapong Chirarattananon, Pipat
Chaiwiwatworakul, Singthong
Pattanasethanon. Daylight availability and
models for global and diffuse horizontal
(j) illuminance and irradiance for Bangkok.
Renewable Energy 26 (2002) 69–89.

ISBN: 978-1-61804-082-4 127

 Models and Methods in Applied Sciences

in Engineering (ICOSSSE '11), Penang,

[5] C. J. T. Spitters, H. Toussaint, and J. Godriaan, Malaysia, October 3-5, 2011, pp 82 – 87
Separating the diffuse and direct component of
global radiation and its implication for
modelling canopy photosynthesis Part I.
Components of incoming radiation, Agriculture
for Meteorology, 38(1986) 217–29
[6] Kalogirou SA. Artificial neural networks in
renewable energy systems applications: a
review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2001. 373 –
401
[7] H.K Elminir, Y.A Azzam, F.I Younes.
Prediction of hourly and daily diffuse fraction
using neural network, as compared to linear
regression models. Energy 2007. 1513 – 1523
[8] D.G. Erbs, S.A. Klein and J.A. Duffie.
Estimation of the diffuse radiation fraction for
hourly, daily, monthly average global radiation.
Solar Energy 28(1982) 293 – 302
[9] B.H.Y. Liu and R.C. Jordan. The
interrelationship and characteristic distribution
of direct, ddiffuse and total solar
radiation.Solar Energy 4(1960) 1-19
[10] J.F. Orgill and K.G.T. Hollands. Correlation
equation for hourly diffuse radiation on
horizontal surface. Solar Energy. 19(1977) 357
– 359
[11] G.S. Donald, Chuah, S.L Lee. Solar radiation
in Peninsular Malaysia: statistical
presentations. Energy Convers Manage. 1982.
22(1) 71 – 84
[12] Kamaruzzaman Sopian and Mohd Yusoff Hj
Othman. Estimates of monthly average daily
global solar radiation in Malaysia. Renew
Energy 1992. 2(3) 319 – 325
[13] A.W. Azhari, K. Sopian, A. Zaharim, M. Al
Ghoul. A new approach for predicting solar
radiation in tropical environment using satellite
images - case study of Malaysia. WSEAS
Transactions on Environment and Development
2008.4(4) 373-378
[14] A. W. Azhari, A. Zaharim, K. Sopian, A.H.
Ibrahim. Cloud based models in determination
of solar radiations. Proceedings of the 3rd
WSEAS International Conference on Energy
Planning, Energy Saving, Environmental
Education, EPESE '09, Renewable Energy
Sources, RES '09, Waste Management, WWAI
'09. 256 – 261
[15] Tamer Khatib, Azah Mohamed, K. Sopian, M.
Mahmoud, Modeling of Solar Energy for
Malaysia Using Artificial Neural Networks,
Proceedings of the 10th WSEAS International
Conference on System Science and Simulation

ISBN: 978-1-61804-082-4 128