1. Assessment of solar radiation resource from the NASA-POWER reanalysis products for tropical climates in Ghana towards clean energy application.
- Author
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Quansah AD, Dogbey F, Asilevi PJ, Boakye P, Darkwah L, Oduro-Kwarteng S, Sokama-Neuyam YA, and Mensah P
- Subjects
- Forests, Ghana, Tropical Climate, United States, United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Solar Energy
- Abstract
In order to expand the output of solar power systems for efficient integration into the national grid, solar energy resource assessment at site is required. A major impediment however, is the widespread scarcity of radiometric measurements, which can be augmented by satellite observation. This paper assessed the suitability of satellite-based solar radiation resource retrieved from the NASA-POWER archives at [Formula: see text] spatial resolution over Ghana-West Africa, to develop a long-term source reference. The assessment is based on the criteria of comparison with estimations from sunshine duration measurement for 22 synoptic stations. Overall, the satellite-based data compared well with ground-based estimations by r = 0.6-0.94 ± 0.1. Spatiotemporally, the agreement is strongest over the northern half Savannah-type climate during March-May, and weakest over the southern half Forest-type climate during June-August. The assessment provides empirical framework to support solar energy utilization in the sub-region., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
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