Estimation of solar radiation on horizontal and inclined surfaces in Sfax, TUNISIA

This paper has been made to estimate the solar radiation on horizontal and inclined surfaces in Sfax, Tunisia. The model developed in this communication can be used to estimate the hourly global, diffuse and direct solar radiations for horizontal surfaces and the total daily solar radiation on inclined and vertical surfaces in the region of Sfax. Moreover, the method presented here can be used to evaluate the energy production in Sfax of photovoltaic projects like water pumping solar, on-grid applications and off-grid applications. The estimation method of the hourly and daily solar radiations used the Liu and Jordon model. In addition, the values of monthly of average daily solar radiation on a horizontal surface are taken from NASA, Surface meteorology and Solar Energy. The mounting position of solar panel is assumed to be facing towards the south of Sfax. The present results are comparable with results of the PVGIS (Photovoltaic Geographical Information System).