Reference solar radiation year and some climatology aspects of East coast of West Malaysia

Abstract

Problem statement: This study examined in detail some aspects of radiation climatology for Terengganu state in Malaysia. The geographical co-ordinates of the site are 5°10’N latitude 103°06’E longitude and 5.2 m altitude. Approach: The data used in the present study were taken from a recording data station installed at site by the Malaysian Meteorology Department. In addition to this, wind speed, solar radiation and air temperature data taken from University Malaysia Terengganu Renewable Energy Station were also analyzed. The averaged solar radiation year for Terengganu is generated from mid-term daily global solar radiation data. The averaged data of the daily global solar radiation for the locations considered are presented in a tabular form for a complete year. Results: The highest daily and monthly mean global solar irradiation values were 7560 and 6566 Wh m-2 day-1, respectively. The highest hourly average solar irradiance intensity was 1139 W m-2 during this study period. Yearly average daily solar energy was 18.92 MJ m-2 day-1. Besides the global solar radiation, the clearness indexes, wind speed and air temperature variation are discussed. Conclusion/Recommendations: The results in this study will fill the gap that complete and detailed reference solar radiation and climatologically data, which are not available for Terengganu state of Malaysia and will be useful to the designers of solar energy conversion and utilization devices.