ABE 132 Renewable Energy for AB Applications

Lab Exercise #1 Solar Energy Calculations

I. Objectives
1. To understand the geometry associated with the sun’s movement over the earth.
2. To understand the spectral distribution of extraterrestrial solar radiation and those
received on a given location on the earth.
3. To calculate the direction of beam radiation falling on any given surface in the earth.
4. To make an estimate of the theoretical daily and hourly solar radiation received on a
given location at any given time of the year.
5. To determine the day length, sunrise and sunset times on a given location in the earth.

II. Procedure

1. Students will answer series of questions about solar energy resource in Ilocos Norte.
2. Students will use a template to perform all calculations. Students update the template to
reflect the current year (Note that the template year is 2018).

III. IV. Problems and Results and Discussions

Table 1. Groupings and their respective assigned areas.

Group # City/Municipality Latitude Longitude

1 San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan 14°48′ N 121°02′ E
2 Bislig City, Surigao del Sur 8°12′N 126°18′E
3 Manila City, NCR 14°35′N 120°58′E
4 Toledo City, Cebu 10°23′N 123°39′E
5 Bacolod City, Negros 10°40′N 122°57′E
Occidental
6 Lipa City, Batangas 13°56′N 121°09′E
7 Iligan City, Lanao del Norte 8°14′N 124°15′E
8 Dasmariñas City, Cavite 14°20′N 120°56′E
9 Ozamiz City, Misamis 8°09′N 123°51′E
Occidental

Problem 1 (5 pts)
Plot the variation of extraterrestrial solar radiation with time of year on a normal plane in your
assigned area. Use Gsc = 1367 W/m2.

The equation for ET radiation is as follows:

(
G on=G sc × 1+ 0.033 ×cos
360 ×n
365 )
Question #1. Describe the plot and determine the exact date and month when the extraterrestrial
solar radiation is highest and lowest during the year.

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Problem 2 (10 pts)
Plot the equation of time, E, in minutes, as a function of time of year. The months (or day of
year) should be in abscissa and the equation of time in ordinate axis.

E=229.2× ( 0.000075+0.00186 cosB−0.032077 sinB−0.014615 cos 2 B−0.04089 sin 2 B )

Where
360
B=( n−1 ) × ,∈degrees
365

Question #2. Describe how the equation of time varies throughout the year. Why do you think
the equation of time is highest during the late months of the year?

Problem 3. (10 pts)

Plot the sun’s declination as a function of day of year. The equation for declination (in radians) is
as follows:

(
δ=23.45 × sin 360 ×
284+ n
365 ) , in degrees

The abscissa should be the day of year and the ordinate should be the solar declination.
Determine the day (or days) when the sun will be directly above you in your area. Hint: Look for
the declination that is closest to zero.

Next, copy the equation of time calculations on Problem #2 together with the function B and
insert in the table beside the declination angle. Make another graph showing equation of time
(from Problem #2) on the abscissa and the declination of the sun on the ordinate. Label this
graph, “The Analemma”.

Question #3. What do you think is the significance of the analemma? Hint: Think about making
and designing your own sundial

Problem 4 (10 pts)

Calculate the angle of incidence of beam radiation on the surface located in your assigned area at
13:30 (solar time) on March 1, 2024 if the surface is tilted 30o from the horizontal and pointed
15o west of south. Use the following solar incidence equation:

cosθ=sin δ sin φ cos β−sin δ cosφ sin β cosγ +cosδ cosφ cos β cosω
+cos δ sin φ sin β cosγ cosω+cosδ sin β sin γ sin ω
Note the following:
a. Declination (use the equation in Problem 3)
b. Latitude, Φ, (18. o ) sin φ sin δ
c. Hour angle equation cos ωs =−
d. The syntax for π is “pi()”.
cos φ cos δ

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Question #4. What is the significance of the angle of incidence as this relate to solar energy
conversion devices installation?

Problem 5 (10 pts)

Calculate the daily sunset hour angles and day lengths for your assigned area. Also, determine
the daily sunrise and sunset times using standard times. You will need the following equations:
a. n = day of year
b. B (see Problem 1)
c. Declination (see Problem 3) sin φ sin δ
d. Sunset hour angle, ωs as follows: cos ωs =−
cos φ cos δ
2
e. Day length equation, N N= cos−1 (tan φ tan δ )
15

f. E = equation of time (see Problem 2)

g. Equation for solar time = standard time + 4(Lstd – Lloc) + E

Note: Learn how to format a cell to indicate clock times. You may also have to convert the
sunset hour angle into appropriate time of day (for example, at 6:00 am the sunrise hour
angle is -90o solar time).

Question #5. When is sunrise and sunset (local clock time) in City of Batac on March 1, 2024?

References:

1. Duffie, J.A. and W.A. Beckman. 2006. Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes. John
Wiley and Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
2. Kreith, F. and J. F. Kerider. 1978. Principles of Solar Engineering. Hemisphere
Publishing Corp., Washington.
3. Iqbal, M. 1983. Introduction to Solar Radiation. Academic Press, Toronto, Canada.

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Format for Report: Due __________________ 70 pts

ABE 132 Renewable Energy for AB Applications

Lab Exercise #1 Solar Energy Calculations

Name: _______________________ Date Performed: ________________

Date Report Submitted: __________

I. Introduction and Objectives (10 pts)

II. Procedures for Laboratory Work ( Must be written in past tense: 10 pts)

III. Results and Discussions (50 pts) (observations, interpretation of results and discussions)

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1. Plot of ET Radiation and answer Question #1 (10 pts)
2. Plot of Equation of Time and answer to Question #2 (10 pts)
3. Plot of Solar Declination and The Analemma and answer to Question #3 (10 pts)
4. Angle of incidence and discussion of significance or answer to Question #4 (10 pts)
5. Sunrise and sunset in your given area on March 1, 2024 and answer to Question #5 (10
pts)