Solar radiation approximation using sunshine hour at Patenga, Bangladesh

Abstract

Solar radiation at Patenga, Chittagong is predicted by using record of bright sunshine hours of that place. Monthly average solar radiation is calculated from Angstrom-Prescott equation. The coefficients of that equation is found as a = 0.1688 and b= 0.5869. Patenga is a coastal area of Bangladesh and has promising potential of hybrid solar-wind based electricity. Solar radiation data is required for planning and designing photovoltaic power plant. But Bangladesh Meteorological Department has no record of radiation data of that place. So, attempt has been made to estimate solar radiation from other available meteorological parameters. Accuracy of estimated radiation is determined by comparing with data obtained from NASA Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy (SSE). Also estimated radiation is compared with five widely accepted models used for calculating solar radiation. These models were developed considering wide range of geographical area so can be applicable for present location. Present model provide better error correction scheme compared to other considered models by generating more accurate coefficient for that place.