Solar-energy availability in the north-eastern Arabian peninsula

The solar energy potential of north-east Saudi Arabia is investigated based on Ameasurements of a complete yearʹs data at a coastal location near Dhahran. High Aresolution, real time solar radiation data were collected and processed. AHourly, daily and monthly statistics of solar radiation were made from the I Amin averaged recorded values. Clearness index is discussed on the basis of Ahourly, daily and monthly averages. The variation of the diffuse fraction of Atotal radiation is also determined and the results discussed.1999 Elsevier AScienc Ltd. All rights reserved.