Comparison of methodologies for TMY generation using15 years data for Chillan, Chile

Abstract

Typical meteorological year (TMY) is often used in the solar thermal field. Several methods to generate TMYs have been developed. However, results vary depending on the method used, which has a direct effect on the design of solar thermal systems. Because of this, it is necessary to establish a methodology for determining the TMY to be used. In this study were compared, five methods to generate TMYs with different weighting factors. TMYs were generated with weather data of a 15-year period (1998-2012) for Chillán, Chile (latitude 36.6° south). A solar thermal hot water system was evaluated in TRNSYS, using all TMYs generated. It was calculated Solar factor (SF), namely the fraction of solar energy used by the system throughout the year, for each TMYs and the years of data. Mean and median were then calculated for each month to all years. These values were compared to values obtained of SF from the TMYs. The TMY that presented the lowest difference in the 12 months with respect to those values was determined as the most representative. The selected TMY was generated by using ASRHAE based on dew point temperatures, and it is recommended for future studies for Chillán.