Atmospheric turbidity is an important parameter for assessing not only air pollution in an environment, but also the main parameter that determines the weakened solar radiation that reaches the solar panel. We commonly use the Linke turbidity factor model to assess atmospheric turbidity. It is based on a one-year measurement of horizontal irradiation in a certain area. We further compare the obtained results with the recommended values for various types of calculations.
The SPAC application uses turbidity calculation methods for the most realistic results. And formulas bellow are implemnts in application.
Understanding of the turbidity coefficient as an important factor
The weakening of the solar energy that reaches the solar panel therefore depends on the state of the sky, the density and shape of the clouds, the composition of the gases in the atmosphere, and the humidity of the air. Permanent atmospheric factors also weaken solar irradiation. This attenuation has nothing to do with local atmospheric conditions, but includes ozone and moisture concentration. But that’s not all. Two other important factors, water vapor and aerosols, known as atmospheric haze, affect the attenuation of sunlight reaching the solar panel.
Should we aproximate turbidity coefficient ?
This further means that some solar panel installers consider standard testing conditions *STC* as a realistic situation.
More about solar swindlers you can read here
In order to assess the atmospheric situation, annual data for the location are required:
Climate and climatic factors (severe winters with or without snow, length of spring and autumn with estimation of precipitation) Distribution and speed of winds during the year (wind is a good purifier of the atmosphere)
- Amount of precipitation from rain and snow, rate of evaporation, retention of snow cover.
- Mean monthly air temperature
- Atmosphere pressure
- Mean relative humidity
Hence, all these data are impractical to observe, so solar panel installers often avoid unnecessary complications.
Linke turbidity coefficient
There are several turbidity factors, but Linke’s, which is marked with TL, is the most commonly used. In 1922, Linke defined this factor as the number of clean and dry atmospheres required to produce the same effect on direct radiation as a clean atmosphere. This factor is dependent on the optical depth of the clean and dry atmosphere, which is determined by the air mass, which in turn depends on the altitude angle. This factor describes the optical depth of the atmosphere due to the sun’s ray scattering process. Ozone, water vapor, and carbon dioxide contribute to this scattering. Linke’s coefficient ranges from 1 to 10. For instance, Linke’s coefficient is 1 for a clean atmosphere, 2 for a clean, warm summer day, and 3 for humid, warm air. For humid, warm air, this coefficient is in the range of 4 to 6. In a polluted city atmosphere, it is 8.
The formula for calculating the Linke coefficient
- A – flux of extraterrestrial radiation entering the atmosphere A = 1160 + 75 * sin ( 360/365 * (n – 275)) where n is the regular day of the year
- IBH – direct irradiation in a horizontal surface
- Β – altitude angle
- σ – Integral Rayleigh optical thickness due to scattering in the atmosphere
- m – air mass coefficient : m = 1/sin(Β)
σ = 1/ (6.6296 + 1.7543 * m -0.1202 *m2 + 0.0065 m3 – 0.00013 * m4)
.. for m <= 20 in other cases : σ = 1/ (10.4 +0.718m)
Deep dive into math
The calculation of the direct component IBH requires knowledge of the direct component of horizontal radiation I<sub<H. Liu Jordan’s formula for the decomposition of total horizontal radiation is used for this to the direct and diffuse component using the brightness indexKt. IDH:IH = 1.39 – 4.027 *Kt + 5.531 * Kt2 -3.108Kt3 IDH – diffuse component of horizontal irradiation
( IH > = IBH+IDH) The clearness index is defined as the mean ratio of horizontal insolation to mean horizontal extraterrestrial insolation on the earth’s surface. Kt = IH:Io
Mean horizontal extraterrestrial irradiation
Io = (24/pi)*SC*(1+0.034*cos(360*n/365)) * (cos L * cos(σ) * sin(Hsr) + Hsr* sinL * sin (σ))
and we have:
SC: Solar Constant = 1377 W/m2
Hsr: hour angle Hsr = arccos(-tan(L) * tan(σ))
and in this formula we have :
L: latitude
σ: solar declination = 23.45 * sin(360/365 * (n-81))
All these formulas are applied in the SPAC application algorithm, so it was important to mention them.
Conclusion
If the Linke coefficient is low, it means the sky is clear and the air is clean. When looking at the Linke turbidity coefficient for a place with a moderately continental climate,
numbers between 1.8 and 4.5 will be found. Small amounts of straight horizontal irradiation that show up during the day are high-value effects.
Summer precipitation can cause humidity and increase the coefficient. Precipitation (snow and rain) as well as wind are good air purifiers. On the other hand, evaporation after rain can cause humidity, which is not favorable.
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