Abstract

Accurate performance prediction for a system utilizing solar energy requires accurate estimates of the solar radiation received by the collector surface. This thesis compares the performance of five different diffuse solar radiation models in estimating the diffuse radiation received by a tilted surface in the warm, humid climate of Central Florida.

The following models were studied: Isotropic Model, Temps and Coulson Model, Klucher Model, Hay Model, and Perez Model. The models were evaluated for both a fixed south facing surface and for three different tracking schemes suitable for photovoltaic applications. Model estimates were then compared to the solar radiation data collected at the Florida Solar Energy Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Based on smallest root-mean-square error, the Perez model gave the best performance. For all the models, the root-mean-square error for the tracking surfaces was significantly greater than that for the fixed south facing surface. Actual solar radiation received by a tracking surface was greater than indicated by model estimates, and was most evident on clear days for the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Changes in the mean bias error for different periods of the year demonstrated that the models are also seasonally dependent.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1986

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Anderson, Loren A.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Engineering

Degree Program

Energy Systems

Format

PDF

Pages

151 p.

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0020362

Accessibility Status

Searchable text

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