Estimation of Solar Energy Availability in Maha Sarakham, Thailand

Abstract. Availability of solar energy is crucial for most technological solar applications. The objective of this study is to predict monthly average and global solar radiation patterns on Maha Sarakham horizontal surface of Thailand. Two correlation equations have been successfully developed, one from Angstrom model and the other from Liu-Jordan model, with the minimum and maximum clearness index 0.45 and 0.65 for the equation derived from Angstrom model and 0.30 and 0.95 for the equation derived from Liu-Jordan model. Data of sunshine hours as well as global and diffuse solar radiation was collected at the location and was predicted using equations developed from corresponding models. After validation procedure was conducted, the empirical data was then compared to predicted data. It can be concluded that the developed equations can be used to estimate the diffuse and global solar radiation and also indicate the solar energy availability at Maha Sarakham of Thailand with satisfactory level. This obtained knowledge and information can be applied to other locations with the same geographical conditions as well as used in further researches.

---

Celem artykułu jest prognozowanie przeciętnych miesięcznych i globalnych możliwości systemu solarnego w Tajlandii w miejscowości Maha Sarakham. Opracowano równania korelacyjne bazujące na modelach Angstroma i Liu-Jordana z indeksem przejrzystości powietrza 0.45 – 0.65 (Angstrom) i 0.30 – 0.95 (Liu-Jordan). Otrzymane równania pozwalają na prognozowanie wydajno sci systemów słonecznych także w innych geograficznych warunkach.