https://doi.org/10.51514/JSTR.3.4.2021.1-11
Mahima*, Indira Karakoti, Hemwati Nandan, Amar Deep and P. P. Pathak
ABSTRACT
The present study aims to determine the analysis of available satellite-derived data (https://power.larc.nasa.gov) of solar radiation and meteorological parameters (temperature and relative humidity) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for three main places, namely – Gopeshwar (30.40oN, 79.31oE), Nainital (29.38oN, 79.46oE) and Pithoragarh (29.58o N, 80.21oE) of Uttarakhand. The seasonal average data of solar radiation and meteorological parameters recorded for a period of six years (2013-2018) are utilised in the present investigation. Three statistical treatments (standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness) were performed to check the accuracy of data. A trend analysis of the maximum and minimum seasonal average data of global solar radiation, temperature and relative humidity. The highest global solar radiation recorded as 11.23 kWh/m2 (autumn) for the Nainital location and the lowest global solar radiation recorded as 4.80 kWh/m2 (winter) for Gopeshwar location. The results show increases in trends and anomalous behavior that may be considered as a result of the effect of climate change and climate variability. Investigation of data indicated that Nainital location obtains an ample amount of global solar radiation, indicating the strong potential for the use of solar energy. Through this type of study we observe the climatic conditions for any particular site.
Keywords: Solar radiation, Climate change, statistical parameters, meteorological parameters.