Solar Resource Assessment Using GHI Measurements at a Site in Northeast India

Abstract

The paper presents a detailed analysis of global solar radiation received during the year 2016 at a site in Northeast India. The variation of the solar resource is estimated by performing a statistical analysis on the monthly, daily and hourly basis. The frequency distribution of the hourly global solar radiation for each month is also presented. Using similar statistical analysis, the clearness index of the site is also estimated. The results show a high intensity of global horizontal radiation. During the study period, the average daily global solar radiation at Silchar is found to be 4231.5 W/m2. The frequency distribution study shows that about 50% of times the hourly received global solar energy is more than 400 W/m2. With an average clearness index of 0.54 and with 84% of partly clear and clear days during the year, the region gives an opportunity to trap the solar energy by application of solar conversion devices.