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Estimation of solar radiation from digital elevation model in area of rough topography

Lurwan Mahmoud Sabo (Department of Electrical Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia)
Norman Mariun (Department of Electrical Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia)
Hashim Hizam (Department of Electrical Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia)
Mohd Amran Mohd Radzi (Department of Electrical Engineering, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia)
Azmi Zakaria (Department of Physics, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia)

World Journal of Engineering

ISSN: 1708-5284

Article publication date: 3 October 2016

231

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the reliability of the technique for estimating solar radiation in areas of rough topography and to detect the source of error and means for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Spatial data of the study area in the form of digital elevation model (DEM) coupled with geographic information system (GIS) were used to estimate the monthly solar radiation at locations with rough topography. The generated data were compared with measured data collected from all the selected locations using NASA data.

Findings

The results show that the variation in topographic parameters has a strong influence on the amount of solar radiation received by two close locations. However, the method performed well for solar radiation estimated in the areas of rough topography.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach overestimates the monthly solar radiation as compared with NASA data due to the impact of topographic parameters accounted for by the model which are not accounted by conventional methods of measurements. This approach can be improved by incorporating the reflected component of radiation in the model used to estimate the solar radiation implemented in the GIS.

Originality/value

The approach of using GIS with DEM to estimate solar radiation enables to identify the spatial variability in solar radiation between two closest locations due to the influence of topographic parameters, and this will assist in proper energy planning and decision making for optimal areas of solar photovoltaic installation.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Authors humbly acknowledge the support of NASA, DIVA-GIS for the data and RMC University Putra Malaysia for the research grant (Grant no: 941200).

Citation

Mahmoud Sabo, L., Mariun, N., Hizam, H., Mohd Radzi, M.A. and Zakaria, A. (2016), "Estimation of solar radiation from digital elevation model in area of rough topography", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 13 No. 5, pp. 453-460. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-08-2016-0063

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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