An in-depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones: pros and cons

Solar radiation comprises the primary renewable source of energy on Earth and has so been exploited in the last 20 years. Despite this, solar radiation measurements are scarce worldwide, thus giving space to modelling. Nevertheless, modelling solar radiation at an hourly level is nowadays required f...

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Main Author: Harry D. Kambezidis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Environmental Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1528355/full
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author Harry D. Kambezidis
Harry D. Kambezidis
author_facet Harry D. Kambezidis
Harry D. Kambezidis
author_sort Harry D. Kambezidis
collection DOAJ
description Solar radiation comprises the primary renewable source of energy on Earth and has so been exploited in the last 20 years. Despite this, solar radiation measurements are scarce worldwide, thus giving space to modelling. Nevertheless, modelling solar radiation at an hourly level is nowadays required for a short-term output forecast from solar installations. The daily global solar radiation decomposition models are one category of solar models that convert daily solar radiation values to hourly ones. The Collares-Pereira and Rabl (CPR) and Collares-Repeira, Rabl and Gueymard (CPRG) models have shown to provide a better performance than others at individual sites without exhibiting any sign of universality on the other hand. The current study looks at this gap. In this regard, twelve sites are selected around the world. To estimate hourly values, the CPR and CPRG models are applied to daily solar radiation estimates for each site in particular years. Hourly data sets that are openly accessible provide the daily values. Additionally, daily and monthly values are derived from the estimated and observed hourly values. The hourly, daily, and monthly scales are used to compare the two models’ performances. The CPR model outperforms the CPRG model across all sites and time scales. A universal coefficient of correction is used to further enhance the CPR performance, bringing the CPR-estimated solar radiation very close to the observed one.
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spelling doaj-art-7b24c68e837c47a9b8b441d8e462995b2025-01-29T06:45:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2025-01-011310.3389/fenvs.2025.15283551528355An in-depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones: pros and consHarry D. Kambezidis0Harry D. Kambezidis1Institute of Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Nymphon, Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Soft Energioes Applications and Environmental Protection, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Attica, Aigaleo, GreeceSolar radiation comprises the primary renewable source of energy on Earth and has so been exploited in the last 20 years. Despite this, solar radiation measurements are scarce worldwide, thus giving space to modelling. Nevertheless, modelling solar radiation at an hourly level is nowadays required for a short-term output forecast from solar installations. The daily global solar radiation decomposition models are one category of solar models that convert daily solar radiation values to hourly ones. The Collares-Pereira and Rabl (CPR) and Collares-Repeira, Rabl and Gueymard (CPRG) models have shown to provide a better performance than others at individual sites without exhibiting any sign of universality on the other hand. The current study looks at this gap. In this regard, twelve sites are selected around the world. To estimate hourly values, the CPR and CPRG models are applied to daily solar radiation estimates for each site in particular years. Hourly data sets that are openly accessible provide the daily values. Additionally, daily and monthly values are derived from the estimated and observed hourly values. The hourly, daily, and monthly scales are used to compare the two models’ performances. The CPR model outperforms the CPRG model across all sites and time scales. A universal coefficient of correction is used to further enhance the CPR performance, bringing the CPR-estimated solar radiation very close to the observed one.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1528355/fullsolar radiationdecomposition modelshourly valuesdaily valuesmonthly valuesuniversal applicability
spellingShingle Harry D. Kambezidis
Harry D. Kambezidis
An in-depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones: pros and cons
Frontiers in Environmental Science
solar radiation
decomposition models
hourly values
daily values
monthly values
universal applicability
title An in-depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones: pros and cons
title_full An in-depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones: pros and cons
title_fullStr An in-depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones: pros and cons
title_full_unstemmed An in-depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones: pros and cons
title_short An in-depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones: pros and cons
title_sort in depth analysis of two common methodologies used to derive hourly solar radiation values from daily ones pros and cons
topic solar radiation
decomposition models
hourly values
daily values
monthly values
universal applicability
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1528355/full
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