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Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology pp 9744–9758Cite as

Solar Radiation , Spatial and Temporal Variability

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Definition of the Subject

Solar irradiance is a highly variable and fluctuating resource. This characteristic directly and strongly affects the performance of solar energy systems, such as the electricity production from photovoltaic (PV) systems or solar thermal power plants. This entry describes databases and appropriate methods to characterize spatial and temporal variability in solar radiation. The regional distribution of solar energy depends on the meteorological situation characterized by clouds, aerosols, and water vapor content, but also on topography and ground albedo. Within this entry the focus is laid on cloud-induced fluctuations. The spatial variability caused by the topography of the terrain is not accounted for here, since it is the topic of another entry in this encyclopedia.

Introduction

As fluctuations in solar radiation are directly coupled to the output power and yield of a...

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Abbreviations

Autocorrelation:

The autocorrelation of a random process describes the statistical analogy between values of the process at different points in time, as a function of the two times or of the time difference.

Clearness index:

Ratio of the global irradiance on a horizontal plane (on the earth surface) to the respective irradiance just outside of the atmosphere.

Clear-sky index:

Ratio of the global irradiance on a horizontal plane to the irradiance expected under clear-sky conditions.

DNI:

Direct normal irradiance.

GHI:

Global horizontal irradiance.

Ground albedo:

Measure of how strongly the ground reflects sunlight.

Residual time series:

A time series in which the trends have been removed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy Meteorology Group, Energy and Semiconductor Research Laboratory, Institute of Physics, University of Oldenburg, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany

    Dr. Annette Hammer

  2. Department of Engineering, University of Agder, 4898, Grimstad, Norway

    H. G. Beyer

Authors
  1. Dr. Annette Hammer
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  2. H. G. Beyer
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Correspondence to Annette Hammer .

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  1. RAMTECH LIMITED, Larkspur, CA, USA

    Robert A. Meyers

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Hammer, A., Beyer, H.G. (2012). Solar Radiation , Spatial and Temporal Variability . In: Meyers, R.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_449

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