Empirical models for estimating solar radiation in Algeria: A review and case study

• Published in: Revue des énergies renouvelables Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 651 - 660
• Main Authors: Marif, Yacine, Hebbal, Belkhir, Maouedj, Rachid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Renewable Energy Development Center (CDER) 31-12-2018
• Subjects: empirical model; illizi; solar radiation; sunshine duration
• ISSN: 1112-2242; 2716-8247
• DOI: 10.54966/jreen.v21i4.718

The information about solar radiation is limited in space and time at different local regions around Algeria due to the cost of instrumental requirements. Therefore, a number of models have been developed in different regions to estimate incident solar radiation. This contribution includes a review of research works carried out in the development of empirical solar radiation models in Algeria. Furthermore, in order to contribute to the national efforts in establishing solar radiation, sunshine duration empirical models for estimating global solar radiation were developed in the Sahara desert area of Illizi region. Daily meteorological data during 2007 - 2014 were used for models calibration and the data from 2015 to 2018 were used to validate the models. The results revealed that linear, quadratic and cubic empirical equations give very high accurate values of monthly mean daily global solar radiation on a horizontal surface, with smaller statistical testes between measured and estimated values.