Solar Radiation Estimations Using the Territorial Climatological Measurements in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province for Solar Energy Potential Estimation and Use

Abstract

Determining the solar radiation for the use of energy generation involves a number of procedures, estimations and calculations using the climatological weather data measurements. The case study was conducted in the Vhembe District area through the nine installed Weather Stations (WS). The analysis determines the minimum and maximum solar radiation equations associated with the local climate patterns in accommodating the theoretical bases and its time period changes. The paper contributes to the main project objectives on renewable (i.e. solar, wind, biomass/biogas and hydro) energy assessment for their potentials and generating at small/ micro scale in the district. These parameters are very important in estimating the solar energy radiation to the area using its extraterrestrial solar radiation per day/ weekly/ monthly and annual periods. The metrology estimations through graphical representations were performed. These provided calculations in which territorial solar energy was determined through climatic conditions and analysis found to be usable.