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Air mass: Analytical and empirical treatment; an improved formula for air mass

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  • Nijegorodov, N.
  • Luhanga, P.V.C.

Abstract

In this paper, relative air mass is defined analytically and treated empirically, and a new formula is proposed. This formula takes into account not only the zenith angle, but also the Earth's curvature, altitude and temperature. The new formula and the old one (m = 1cos θz) are in good agreement for zenith angles up to 70°, but for bigger angles the new formula gives smaller values of air mass. In particular, it gives a finite value for air mass when the zenith angle is 90°. It is shown that the old formula is a special case of the new one. The values of relative air mass calculated with the new formula depend on the effective thickness of the atmosphere. Experimentally, it is found that the effective thickness of the atmosphere is linearly related to the average thickness of the atmosphere, which depends on latitude and meteorological conditions. It is concluded that for values of θz up to 70°, with little error, the old formula can be used, but that for larger zenith angles (especially for times near sunrise or sunset), only the new formula can give proper and meaningful results. The influence of the zenith angle, the altitude and the temperature on the relative air mass is analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Nijegorodov, N. & Luhanga, P.V.C., 1996. "Air mass: Analytical and empirical treatment; an improved formula for air mass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 7(1), pages 57-65.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:7:y:1996:i:1:p:57-65
    DOI: 10.1016/0960-1481(95)00111-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nijegorodov, N. & Carlsson, S. & Lekorwe, O., 1994. "An improved formula for air mass and the investigation of its validity," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 5(5), pages 1514-1516.
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    1. Nijegorodov, N. & Adedoyin, J.A. & Devan, K.R.S., 1997. "A new analytical-empirical model for the instantaneous diffuse radiation and experimental investigation of its validity," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 341-350.
    2. Nijegorodov, N. & Luhanga, P.V.C., 1998. "A new model to predict direct normal instantaneous solar radiation, based on laws of spectroscopy, kinetic theory and thermodynamics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 523-530.
    3. Filip Žemla & Ján Cigánek & Danica Rosinová & Erik Kučera & Oto Haffner, 2023. "Complex Positioning System for the Control and Visualization of Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-31, May.
    4. Badescu, Viorel & Gueymard, Christian A. & Cheval, Sorin & Oprea, Cristian & Baciu, Madalina & Dumitrescu, Alexandru & Iacobescu, Flavius & Milos, Ioan & Rada, Costel, 2012. "Computing global and diffuse solar hourly irradiation on clear sky. Review and testing of 54 models," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 1636-1656.
    5. Nijegorodov, N.I. & Devan, K.R.S. & Simao, H. & Mabbs, R., 2003. "Comprehensive study of solar conditions in Mozambique: the effect of trade winds on solar components," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(12), pages 1965-1983.

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    1. Nijegorodov, N. & Luhanga, P.V.C., 1998. "A new model to predict direct normal instantaneous solar radiation, based on laws of spectroscopy, kinetic theory and thermodynamics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 523-530.

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