Estimation of Global Solar Radiation and Performance of Photovoltaic Modules Using Long-Term Meteorological Data

The paper formulates the problem of establishing the initial data for assessing insolation and electric power generation by solar photovoltaic systems. Three sources of information are evaluated: reference books on the climate, satellite meteorological data and weather stations data. In order to improve the precision of assessment, it seems expedient to combine sources of information regarding the factors that affect electric power generation by solar photovoltaic systems. The paper proposes a method for estimating electricity generation on the basis of reference information and open-access weather stations data. Assessment of solar radiation takes into account the beam, sky-diffuse and ground-reflected components. The method incorporates the impact of the total and low-level clouds on solar radiation, as well as the impact of temperature on the efficiency of solar photovoltaic systems. Assessment of solar radiation and electric power generation by solar photovoltaic systems is conducted in Narin-Kunta, a village in the Irkutsk region on the shore of lake Baikal.