An optimized approach for mapping solar irradiance in a mid-low latitude region based on a site-adaptation technique using Himawari-8 satellite imageries
Journal
Renewable Energy
Journal Volume
187
Pages
603-617
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Abstract
Solar technologies play an important role in the renewable electric energy budget, so accurate solar maps are a crucial point for finding a suitable place for solar panel installation. This study proposes a method for solar irradiance mapping in mid-low latitude regions, and the method's site-adaptation process is performed by optimizing the Heliosat method through the REST2 clear-sky model, cloud albedo selection, new clear-sky index, and linear subtraction for bias removal. A local station with two pyranometers provided ground measurements. Site-adapted model results were used to create a calibrated solar map by linear regression adaptation. This study also provides the evaluation and site-adaption of another irradiance dataset in the Asian region from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Heliosat model results with optimal cloud albedo showed high accuracy of 4.78 W/m2 MBE and 63.11 W/m2 RMSE, which can be improved using the site-adaptation process to 0.71 W/m2 MBE and 57.42 W/m2 RMSE. The selection of an optimal cloud albedo improved the model by approximately 20%. The JAXA dataset obtained a large overestimation of 56.72 W/m2 MBE, thereby highlighting the importance of site adaptation. This research's findings pave a new way for the creation of accurate site-adapted solar maps and databases. ? 2022 Elsevier Ltd
Subjects
Heliosat model
Rest2
Satellite images
Solar energy mapping
Solar irradiance
Budget control
Large dataset
Site selection
Solar energy
Solar radiation
Space research
Adaptation process
Cloud albedo
Heliosat
Mid-low latitude
Modeling results
Solar irradiances
Mapping
accuracy assessment
albedo
detection method
ground-based measurement
latitude
mapping method
optimization
regression analysis
satellite data
satellite imagery
solar radiation
Japan
SDGs
Type
journal article