Solar Resources,

Radiation and
Optimization
 GERMI

Any Other?

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Energy from the Sun (Extra – Terrestrial)

Surface: ‘H’ Convection

Photosphere: ~6,000 K

Mean Solar
Distance
Planet Irradiance
(x 109 m) (W/m2)
Mercury 57 9,116.4
Venus 108 2,611.0
Core Fusion: H → He Earth 150 1,366.1
Temperature: ~20,000,000 K Mars 227 588.6
Jupiter 778 50.5
Saturn 1426 15.04
Uranus 2868 3.72
Neptune 4497 1.51
Pluto 5806 0.878
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Energy on Earth

Direct
Diffused

Global (Total) Solar Radiation

=
Direct (Beam) + Diffuse (Scattered)
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Air Mass

Air Mass Reference Power Density

AM0 Radiation in Space 1,366 W/m2
AM1 When the Sun is directly overhead 1,048 W/m2
AM1.5G Standard Spectrum at Earth’s Surface 930 W/m2
AM1.5 Dir Direct Beam Component of AM1.5 846 W/m2
AM1.5 Diff Diffused Component of AM1.5 84 W/m2
AM1.5G* Normalized AM1.5 Spectrum to 1,000 W/m2
give:
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The Solar Spectrum

Splitting of Solar
Beam

Solar Constant: ∫AM0 = 1.36 kW/m2

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Standard Test Condition for Solar PV Modules

Standard Testing Conditions (STC)

AM1.5G Normalized at 1,000 W/m2
Radiation: Normal
Temperature: 25°C

AM 1.5 G
1000 W/m2

MNRE Testing Facility

GERMI
Weather Sensors

Pyranometer Solar Sensor Shielded

(Global Horizontal (Global Horizontal Temperature
Irradiance “GHI”) Irradiance “GHI”) Sensor

Automatic
Weather Station
Pyrheliometer
Ultrasonic Cup-Type (Direct Normal
Anemometer Anemometer Irradiance “DNI”)
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Peak Sun Hours

1 kW/m2 1 kW/m2

Radiation (W/m2)
Radiation (W/m2)

7 am 6 pm Time 5.5 hours Time

Fig: Actual Irradiance. Fig: Normalized Irradiance
(with same energy content).

 “Peak Sun Hours” is a commonly used term used for

average daily insolation in units of kWh/m2.
 5.5 hours → 5.5 kWh/m2-day.

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Insolation Maps

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Solar System, Day / Night

Solar System Day & Night

Equinox / Solstice
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Sun Path

Over a Day

Over a Year

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Sun Position

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Combined Sun Path

➢ Sun Path for Ahmedabad: Longitude: 72°40’ East

Latitude: 23°02’ North
21 June

21 March, 21 September

22 December

Source: http://www.horca.net/graphs/sunplot.php
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Latitudes & Tilt Angle

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Earth’s Coordinate System, UTM and Time Zones

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Collector Angles

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Consequences of Module Orientation

Fig: Effect of Module Orientation on Energy Yield.

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Seasonal Optimization of Tilt Angle

 (Annual) Optimum Tilt Angle is

approximately the value of the latitude.

 Tilt Angle optimized for winter: 25°

Latitude + 15°.

 Tilt Angle optimized for summer:

Latitude – 10°.

 Applied for:
25°
 Seasonal tracking of PV modules.
 Solar water heaters.

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Tracking the Sun

Biaxial Tracker

Azimuth Tracker
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Magnetic Declination

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Magnetic Declination Map (2010)

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Magnetic Declination

 Magnetic Declination is the angle between Magnetic North and

True North.
 Declination is positive when magnetic north is east of true north.
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How Much Do We Understand Solar Energy?

 Can plant can survive without Sun’s

radiation (Solar Energy)?

 When my solar PV system generate

more power? during Winter, Summer
and Monsoon? Can you explain why?

 When will my PV system generate

more power? during Morning, Evening
or Noon? Can you explain why?

GERMI
How much do we know about Solar Measurements?

 I am able to see other person inside this class room

because of…
(a) Direct / Beam radiation (b) Diffuse / Scattered radiation
 My one square meter solar module in space shall receive
(a) 1366 W/m2 (b) 1000 W/m2 of solar power
 You will record solar power in which of the following
units?
(a) W/m2 (b) Celsius (c) kg / m2 (d) meter
(a) You wish to measure total solar radiation. Which one of
the following instrument you will use?

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Chose One

Case - I Case – II: Case – III: Case – IV

Lat. = 23° Lat. = 23°
Ng Nm
(a) (a) Tilt = 10 ° (a) Tilt = 40 ° (a)

(b) (b) Tilt = 23° (b) Tilt = 23° (b)

GERMI