Predicting the global solar radiation on a horizontal surface: A case study for Zambia

Abstract

The requirement for insolation models has been appreciated for many years in designing solar energy systems properly, for locations lacking insolation data base. Unfortunately, for most geographical areas in Zambia, insolation data is not available. This research thesis gives an account of global solar radiation measurements on a horizontal surface, mean daily maximum temperature, mean daily relative humidity, mean daily pressure, mean daily maximum dew point temperature, and hours of bright sunshine for seven selected locations in Zambia. The considered locations represent the different atmospheric weather conditions of Zambia. Kasama and Mansa are in the north, Lusaka and Ndola in the middle, and Livingstone and Mongu in the south, Mfuwe in the east of Zambia. Correlations between the daily measurements of global solar radiation and the meteorological parameters were presented for the considered locations. A common relationship for all Zambia was also established to estimate global solar radiation. The correlation and the regression coefficients and the standard errors of estimate were established. The values of correlation coefficients varied from 53% to 97% and the errors of estimation were between 0.24 and 0.84.