Weather anomalies that increase clouds influence the reliability of both renewable energy and building environmental-control systems. Non-grid solar power systems may run out of capacity for such items as communications electronics, flood-warning stream gages, refrigerators, and small village power systems. This paper provides 1×1-degree resolution global maps that identify those regions which experienced large abnormal solar energy during a 10-year period. A source is identified where specific values for maximum year-to-year variability can be obtained in regions where ground-site measurements do not exist. The information may aid in the selection of safety factors for solar power systems.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
photovoltaic power systems, solar power stations, solar power, El Nino Southern Oscillation, clouds, power system reliability, sunlight, atmospheric radiation
Topics:
Solar energy, Reliability
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Copyright © 2001
 by ASME
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