Comparison of Estimated and Observed Values for Solar Radiation at the Surface of the African Continent

摘要

Solar radiation fluxes at the surface of the African continent were estimated by three methods. The methods used cloud data derived from satellite measurements, observed sunshine hour data, and data on several other parameters measured at 57 ground stations throughout Africa. The estimated values were then compared with actual observed global solar radiation values from 10 selected stations. The percentage deviation between estimated and observed values was generally less than plus or minus 15%.