Contribution to the Quantification of Solar Radiation in Algeria

For an energy production optimization with a photovoltaic global system, a fundamental need is the knowledge of the global solar irradiation at different Algerian locations (Algiers, Oran, Bechar and Tamanrasset) using available climatological measured data. Different expressions relating the global solar irradiation to the calculated extraterrestrial global irradiation, measured sunshine duration and temperature at these locations are dealt with. These include the well-known Angström-Prescott linear regression, the logarithmic and the exponential relationships. Accordingly, several other models have also been tested to choose the more suitable for each location.The present work applied these considerations in the objective to optimize the production efficiency of photovoltaic energy using available data of the global solar irradiation. The modeled results are compared to the measured ones using statistical parameters tests such as the mean bias error (MBE), the mean absolute error (MAE), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination (R2). The agreement between the measured and the computed values is remarkable and the models are recommended to predict the mean monthly global solar irradiation in Algeria and any location of the same climatic characteristics.