This paper develops a semi-empirical model to calculate direct solar shortwave irradiance on a horizontal surface for any cloudiness condition. The model is based on radiative transfer simulations combined with empirical relationships; it makes use of the global solar irradiance, experimentally...

In this paper the impact of flat plate reflectors (bottom, top, left and right reflectors) made of Al, on total solar radiation on a solar collector during a day time over a whole year is analyzed. An analytical model for determining optimum tilt angles of a collector and reflectors for any...

We analyze correlations and cross-correlations in wind speed and solar radiation temporal series recorded at the Island Fernando de Noronha in northeastern Brazil, using Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and Detrended cross-correlation analysis (DCCA). We find that both processes exhibit...

Solar radiation is an important input for various land-surface energy balance models. Global solar radiation data retrieved from the Japanese Geostationary Meteorological Satellite 5 (GMS-5)/Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (VISSR) has been widely used in recent years. However, due to...

In this paper, a novel solar radiation measuring device is proposed. A solar cell, PIC controller, temperature sensors as well as a memory chip are used. The proposed device measures the solar radiation and the ambient temperature through a specific time period and then the measured data is...

In recent years, several intensive studies have been carried out in order to reduce the energy consumption of buildings. One solution lies on whole building energy simulation that permits to enable the heat (and moisture) transfer through the building envelope and, consequently, is a way to...

Photovoltaic (PV) is one of the promising solar energy applications. Measured data can give the realistic performance of PV systems under actual operating environments for product selection and system design. This paper studies a grid-connected PV system installed in an institutional building....

Solar radiation data provide information on how much of the sun's energy strikes a surface at a location on the earth during a particular time period. These data are needed for effective research in solar-energy utilization. Due to the cost of and difficulty in solar radiation measurements and...

New comparative tests on three different types of heat pipe solar collectors are presented in this paper. These three collectors are installed in parallel and tested at the same working conditions.