Development of a surface area metric (SAM) to characterizevariations in solar irradiance

Eric R. Morgan, Ana R. Dyreson, Samuel H. Monger, Tom L Acker

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The variability of solar irradiance at a given site is often quantified using a single point sensor, rather than multiple sensors. Thus, the temporal aspect of variability is considered while the spatial aspect is ignored. We will construct a new, two-dimensional solar variability metric called the Surface Area Metric (SAM) that quantifies both the spatial and temporal variability. The SAM is calculated by first creating a surface plot of irradiance data over a given area for a single time step and then calculating changes in the surface area over time. The SAM will be calculated for each second of a day for four one-week periods that represent the characteristic seasons in Northern Arizona. The SAM will then be directly compared to Sandia's single-sensor Variability Index (VI) and we will determine how well correlated the VI is with the SAM.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication43rd ASES National Solar Conference 2014, SOLAR 2014, Including the 39th National Passive Solar Conference and the 2nd Meeting of Young and Emerging Professionals in Renewable Energy
PublisherAmerican Solar Energy Society
Pages257-264
Number of pages8
Volume1
ISBN (Print)9781510801790
StatePublished - 2014
Event43rd ASES National Solar Conference 2014, SOLAR 2014, Including the 39th National Passive Solar Conference and the 2nd Meeting of Young and Emerging Professionals in Renewable Energy - San Francisco, United States
Duration: Jul 6 2014Jul 10 2014

Other

Other43rd ASES National Solar Conference 2014, SOLAR 2014, Including the 39th National Passive Solar Conference and the 2nd Meeting of Young and Emerging Professionals in Renewable Energy
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period7/6/147/10/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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