engleski

Modelling Accurate Global Solar Irradiation Based on Freely Available Satellite Remote Sensing Data

The aim of this research was to determine the global horizontal irradiation (GHI) for Istria and Kvarner, two western regions in the Republic of Croatia with the GRASS GIS r.sun module and to compare it with the values of solar irradiation obtained from satellite images and ground measurements. Since the results obtained from the r.sun module have no quality control, the accuracy assessment was made on ground solar irradiation measurements obtained from Baseline Surface Radiation Network stations (BSRN). BSRN is a very commonly used network of surface reference stations designed in 2004 in the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) program. BSRN currently has 63 stations in different climatic zones in the world. The main objective of the BSRN is to provide the best possible quality observation for shortwave and longwave solar radiation with high temporal resolution. The data used for accuracy assessment were shortwave global radiation data measured at the BSRN measuring station closest to Croatia, Carpentras in France. Solar irradiation can be also obtained from weather satellites, such as Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) for the Europe area. A comparison of the GHI values from different sources showed that the MSG and BSRN data correlate best with the data being measured, while r.sun was modelled. However, the data obtained by the r.sun module have better resolutions and thus are more suitable for determining optimal locations for solar energy utilization. Comparing the accuracy of modelled GHI with solar irradiation data obtained from satellite images and ground measurements it was concluded that they are accurate solar energy potential data that can be used to ensure quality energy planning.

global solar irradiation ; remote sensing ; GIS ; energy planning

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