A study was performed to: (1) define the relative significance of the various atmospheric constituents to the depletion of the direct solar beam irradiance; (2) compare and evaluate several simple models versus a complex SOLTRAN-model; and (3) develop an improved, easy to use model. The results indicate that for a reasonable range of atmospheric conditions the broadband direct beam energy is attenuated by atmospheric constituents in the following order: aerosols attenuate the most; molecular scattering is next in importance; and water vapor absorption is third. Attenuation by O3, O2, and CO2 is minor. The total irradiance from various models agree to within ±10 percent at small zenith angles, but diverge significantly at large zenith angles.
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August 1981
Research Papers
Review, Evaluation, and Improvement of Direct Irradiance Models
R. E. Bird,
R. E. Bird
Renewable Resource Assessment Branch, Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, CO 80401
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R. L. Hulstrom
R. L. Hulstrom
Renewable Resource Assessment Branch, Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, CO 80401
Search for other works by this author on:
R. E. Bird
Renewable Resource Assessment Branch, Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, CO 80401
R. L. Hulstrom
Renewable Resource Assessment Branch, Solar Energy Research Institute, Golden, CO 80401
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Aug 1981, 103(3): 182-192 (11 pages)
Published Online: August 1, 1981
Article history
Received:
May 1, 1981
Online:
November 11, 2009
Citation
Bird, R. E., and Hulstrom, R. L. (August 1, 1981). "Review, Evaluation, and Improvement of Direct Irradiance Models." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. August 1981; 103(3): 182–192. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3266239
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