Empirical model for the estimation of global solar radiation in the Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh

Abstract

Solar energy plays an important role in the temperature distribution on the Earth's surface and essential energy that sustains life for human. In the calculation of solar energy, the limitation of solar radiation data is a major obstacle. Solar radiation data is very limited at some observation stations due to the costly procurement of measuring instruments and complicated techniques. Estimation of global solar radiation using empirical models is one way to overcome the limitations of global solar radiation data at various locations. This study built the Angstrom-Prescott model to estimate global solar radiation based on the sunshine duration’s parameter in Aceh Besar Regency. Two years (2019-2020) global solar radiation and sunshine duration data from Aceh Climatological Station were used to estimate global solar radiation in 2021. Data for 2021 was using to evaluated the equation H/H0=0.28+0.22 (n/N), the results showed good model accuracy with an RMSE value of 0.052 and a MAPE of 11% (good forecasting). The model equation has been reliable to calculate solar radiation in four locations in Aceh Besar Regency.