Estimation of precipitable water over the United States for application to the division of solar radiation into its direct and diffuse components

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(90)90151-2· OSTI ID:6568542

Garrison, J D; Adler, G P ^[1]

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1. San Diego State Univ., CA (USA)

Monthly mean atmospheric precipitable water data for eighty-two sites in th continental US and Alaska have been analyzed to develop methods for accurately estimating precipitable water at sites where it has not been measured. Monthly mean precipitable water can be estimated with an rms error of about 12%, using the monthly mean surface temperature and relative humidity. This rms error can be reduced to about 7%, if the properties of the average atmospheric and surface conditions in the region surrounding the site are used. The amount of sunlight scattered by the atmosphere is a function of the amount of precipitable water and other quantities.

• OSTI ID: 6568542
• Journal Information: Solar Energy (Journal of Solar Energy Science and Engineering); (USA), Vol. 44:4; ISSN 0038-092X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
DIFFUSE SOLAR RADIATION
CALCULATION METHODS
DIRECT SOLAR RADIATION
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
AVAILABILITY
LIGHT SCATTERING
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
SOLAR FLUX
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
140100* - Solar Energy- Resources & Availability