Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2016) 131: 106
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2016-16106-7

Regular Article

Predictions of solar radiation distribution: Global, direct and diffuse light on horizontal surface

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Biskra, 07000, Biskra, Algeria
² Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (LGM), Faculty of Technology, University of Biskra, 07000, Biskra, Algeria

^* e-mail: fouedmeca@hotmail.fr

Received: 3 November 2015
Accepted: 13 February 2016
Published online: 21 April 2016

Abstract

Solar radiation models for predicting the average daily and hourly global radiation, direct and diffuse radiation are discussed in this paper. The average daily global radiation in Ghardaia (32.38 N latitude, 3.82 E longitude) is predicted. Estimations of monthly average hourly global radiation are considered. We have developed this correlation using the sunlight and global radiation data from one year location around the weather station in Ghardaia. Two predictions of solar radiation distribution: direct and diffuse light on a horizontal area models, are reviewed to predict the hourly irradiation of Ghardaia utilizing the approach such as regression models. Comparisons between model predictions with measured data are made.