Estimation of Diffuse Solar Radiation for Selected Cities in Nigeria

Abstract

This study proposes a multivariable model of monthly mean daily diffuse solar radiation on horizontal surfaces for three cities (Abuja, Benin City and Katsina), in Nigeria. The estimation was based on a correlation between clearance index and diffuse to global solar radiation ratio and was computed using monthly mean daily data set for global solar radiation on horizontal surfaces. The predictive efficiency of the proposed model was compared with the observed values and those believed to be universally applicable. The results suggest that the existing methods could be replaced by the developed model for a diffuse solar radiation data generation scheme.