Alternative Energy

BEE4163
Resources

Mohd Shawal Jadin

Table of Contents

Solar and Wind Resources

2.1 Solar and Wind Fundamentals

2.2 Gathering side data
2.3 Array Orientation
2.4 Site analysis
Solar Radiation

Solar Information We Need

• Need to know how much sunlight is available

• Solar intensity (“Insolation”: Incident Solar
Radiation) on a clear day is also available for any
location on earth
• Average daily insolation under the combination of
clear and cloudy conditions -> Need long-term
measurements of sunlight hitting a horizontal
surface
Solar Radiation
Direct, diffuse and global radiation
• The diffusion mechanisms within the atmosphere cause diffuse and direct
radiation to incident on the surface of the earth.
• Direct radiation: the radiation incident on a particular spot, having
travelled a straight path from the sun.
• Diffuse radiation: the radiation emerged by diffusion in the atmosphere
and thus indirectly reaching a particular spot on the earth’s surface.

• The sum of direct (beam) radiation Gb and diffuse radiation Gd, always
related to the horizontal receiving surface, is called global radiation Gg

• The diffuse radiation Gd consists of the radiation diffused in the atmosphere,

the atmospheric counter-radiation, and the radiation reflected by the
neighborhood.
Solar IRRADIANCE
Basic Earth-Sun Geometry
Latitude, Longitude and Declination

It is apparent
that the
earth’s axis
of spin
declined at
23.45˚
Latitude, Longitude and Declination

Earth declination and spin with specific meaning and implications

Solar Radiation
Magnetic North & True North
Air Mass
Irradiation and Peak Sun Hour (psh)
Irradiation and Peak Sun Hour (psh)
Irradiation and Peak Sun Hour (psh)

Concept of peak sun hour

Irradiation and Peak Sun Hour (psh)
Irradiation and Peak Sun Hour (psh)
Placement of solar module in relation to Sun’s altitude (at solar noon)
Placement of solar module in relation to Sun’s altitude (at solar noon)
Solar Altitude
Solar Altitude
Solar Altitude
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Answer 1
Answer 1
Answer 1
Answer 2
Answer 2
Answer 1
Answer
Answer
Answer