Radiation incident on tilted collectors

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Appl. Meteorol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1981)020<1440:RIOTC>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:5559897

Robinson, P J

For solar energy system design purposes, observations of solar radiation on a horizontal surface must be converted to values on a tilted energy collector. An empirical conversion relationship, introduced by Liu and Jordan (1960) and based on short-term data for a single station, and has been widely adopted throughout the nation. The spatial variations of the coefficients of this relationship and their stability with record length on North Carolina. Minor variations in coefficients result from changes in record length, but the differences have little impact on the design or performance of a solar energy system. Similarly, minor variations occur between coastal and inland sites but are insufficient to alter system designs. Hence a single relationship is appropriate for the area investigated. These SOLMET results indicate a greater proportion of direct radiation for a given total horizontal radiation amount than do Collares-Pereira and Rabl (1979), who used short period records from a few widely scattered stations to refine the original national relationship. The difference may reflect variations in data quality or regional differences in atmospheric transmission characteristics.

• Research Organization: Department of Geography, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27514 and National Climate Program Office, Rockville, MD 20852
• OSTI ID: 5559897
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Meteorol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Meteorol.; (United States) Vol. 20:12; ISSN JAMOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors &amp; Concentrators
DESIGN
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
RADIATION FLUX
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
VARIATIONS