Estimation of global horizontal irradiance using satellite-derived data across Middle East-North Africa: The role of aerosol optical properties and site-adaptation methodologies. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vamvakas, Ioannis; Salamalikis, Vasileios; Benitez, Daniel; Al-Salaymeh, Ahmed; Bouaichaoui, Sofiane; Yassaa, Noureddine; Guizani, AmenAllah; Kazantzidis, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 157(2020)
• Page Start: 312
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Global horizontal irradiance -- Clear-sky modeling -- MODIS satellite data -- Site-adaptation methods; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.05.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Middle East – North Africa (MENA) region is characterized by increasing energy demand combined with high energy costs and short reserves of fossil fuels. Hence, the knowledge of the spatial and temporal variability of Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) is necessary for assessing the efficiency of alternative energy sources. In this study, satellite retrievals from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS, versions 6 and 6.1) and radiative transfer model simulations are used to evaluate the effect of aerosol optical properties on GHI under cloud-free conditions in the MENA region. The modeled GHI is validated against ground-based measurements at six MENA sites. Due to induced uncertainties in modeled GHIs, two site-adaptation methodologies (Empirical Quantile Mapping-EQM and Linear Least Squares-LIN) are further evaluated to diminish the systematic and dispersion errors. EQM is revealed to be more efficient, causing a significant correction to the statistical distribution of the modeled GHI. For almost all sites, modeled GHI values present the best statistical results when MODIS version 6.1 is used. Highlights: GHI ranges from 3 kWh/m 2 to 10 kWh/m 2 in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. GHI deviations between MODIS versions are highly correlated to AOD differences. Modeled GHI values present the best statistical results when MODIS version 6.1 is used. Empirical Quantile Mapping was the best bias correction for estimated GHI in MENA.