PREDICTING SOLAR RADIATION FOR TROPICAL ISLANDS FROM RAINFALL DATA

• Main Authors: Sisuru Sendanayake, Nandika. P. Miguntanna, M. T. R. Jayasinghe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Paraiba 2015-01-01
• Series: Journal of Urban and Environmental Engineering
• Online Access: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=283243518004

There are many correlations developed to predict incident solar radiation at a givenlocation developed based on geographical and meteorological parameters. However, allcorrelations depend on accurate measurement and availability of weather data such assunshine duration, cloud cover, relative humidity, maximum and minimumtemperatures etc, which essentially is a costly exercise in terms of equipment andlabour. Sri Lanka being a tropical island of latitudinal change of only 30 along thelength of the country, the meteorological factors govern the amount of incidentradiation. Considering the cloud formation and wind patterns over Sri Lanka as well asthe seasonal rainfall patterns, it can be observed that the mean number of rainy dayscan be used to predict the monthly average daily global radiation which can be used forcalculations in solar related activities conveniently.