On the relation of cloud amount and cloud opacity to clearness index k{sub t} and diffuse index k{sub d}
- San Diego State Univ., CA (United States). Physics Dept.
Hourly cloud amount, cloud opacity, global and diffuse irradiation, and corresponding daily surface temperature, humidity and snow depth have been analyzed for the Canadian stations at Edmonton, Goose Bay, Montreal, Port Hardy, Resolute, Toronto and Winnipeg. The variation of mean cloud amount and mean cloud opacity with varying clearness index k{sub t} is presented. This variation changes when solar elevation, atmospheric precipitable water, and snow depth change. The variation of cloud amount and cloud opacity with k{sub t} is similar to the variation of , the mean diffuse fraction, with k{sub t}. Both mean cloud amount and mean cloud opacity differ from each other and from the mean diffuse fraction in their variation with k{sub t}. The variation of cloud amount and cloud opacity to k{sub t} as a function of solar elevation, precipitable water and snow depth can assist in prediction of solar radiation at sites where it has not been measured.
- OSTI ID:
- 109876
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950725--; ISBN 0-89553-167-4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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