ESTIMATION GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION USING SUNSHINE HOUR AND TEMPERATURE DATA IN KATSINA STATE

ABSTRACT In the present work, 10 years (2013-2023) of standard surface meteorological observations on a monthly basis of maximum temperature (MXT), minimum temperature (MNT), and sunshine hours (SHNSH) are utilzed. This is because these three meteorological parameters directly influence solar radiation, trend pattern, and variability at the regional scale. These data were collected from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Abuja. The data was obtained in an ASCII file format. These data, are Measured global solar radiation, sunshine hour and minimum and maximum temperature, Which were analyzed based on Sunshine and temperature based models to generate several models (equations) for predicting global solar radiation. These models were subjected to statistical error test methods of the Mean Bias error (MBE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Percentage error (MPE), Coefficient of determination (R), Coefficient of correlation R2 and t test to ascertain the best performing Models. The results of R and R2 are within the range of 0.651 – 1.682 this project successfully demonstrated the feasibility of estimating global solar radiation using sunshine hours and temperature data. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between these parameters and global solar radiation, enabling accurate predictions. The models developed in this study can be applied in various contexts, such as solar energy system design and renewable energy resource assessment.