The Study of Terrestrial Solar Radiation in Awka Using Measured Meteorological Data

Abstract

This work investigated the terrestrial solar radiation over Awka, South Eastern Nigeria using meteorological parameters of terrestrial temperature and relative humidity collected during 2013- 2014 respectively, using Davis weather station vantage pros2 (with Integrated Sensor Suite, ISS) positioned close to the ground surface. The data were logged at 30 minutes interval continuously for each day during the period. Hourly, daily and monthly averages of terrestrial radiation during dry and wet seasons were calculated from the data obtained. The result indicated that the terrestrial radiation during dry season is generally higher than during the wet season. The month of March has the highest value of terrestrial solar radiation of 410 Wm-2 , while the least terrestrial radiation of about 381 Wm-2 occurred in August. The result also showed that terrestrial solar radiation correlates positively with water vapour and more positively with temperature at 0.57 and 0.81 coefficients respectively. The results obtained from this work provide useful knowledge that is necessary to enhance the deployment of solar energy conversion systems.