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Enhancement of Albedo for Solar Energy Gain with Particular Emphasis on Overcast Skies

Author

Listed:
  • Mehreen Gul

    (Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Eh14 4AS, UK)

  • Yash Kotak

    (Project Management Centre of Excellence, Blackpool and The Fylde College, Blackpool FY2 0HB, UK)

  • Tariq Muneer

    (School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH10 5DT, UK)

  • Stoyanka Ivanova

    (Department Computer-Aided Engineering, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Hr. Smirnenski 1, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria)

Abstract

In the absence of ground reflected radiation measured data, an average albedo value of 0.2, which describes the reflective properties of the bare ground is generally used. The variation of albedo based on different foreground surfaces and under different atmospheric conditions is an area which is under research. This paper presents an experimental investigation of albedos of different foreground materials that can be used for photovoltaic (PV) applications. Overcast skies are predominant in northerly locations and will have a high frequency of low solar altitudes, and thus ground reflection is an important contributor towards total solar energy gain. The foreground surfaces include common materials: Grass, sand, and cement slabs, and some non-conventional materials: White pebbles, white boards, white tiles, and aluminium foil. The impact of factors, such as ageing, solar elevation, rain, and cloud cover (sky conditions) is analysed to determine the changes in albedos of these materials. Each material was observed to have individual performance characteristics under these factors. It was found that the non-conventional materials were least prone to weather-related changes and have higher albedo values as compared to the conventional materials, and also have good potential to replace the conventional materials for any given PV application.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehreen Gul & Yash Kotak & Tariq Muneer & Stoyanka Ivanova, 2018. "Enhancement of Albedo for Solar Energy Gain with Particular Emphasis on Overcast Skies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:11:p:2881-:d:177882
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Munawar Iqbal & David T. Llewellyn, 2002. "Introduction," Chapters, in: Munawar Iqbal & David T. Llewellyn (ed.), Islamic Banking and Finance, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. Kheradmanda, Saeid & Nematollahi, Omid & Ayoobia, Ahmad Reza, 2016. "Clearness index predicting using an integrated artificial neural network (ANN) approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 1357-1365.
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    Cited by:

    1. Piotr Michalak, 2021. "Modelling of Solar Irradiance Incident on Building Envelopes in Polish Climatic Conditions: The Impact on Energy Performance Indicators of Residential Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-27, July.
    2. Tariq Muneer & Mehreen Saleem Gul & Marzia Alam, 2022. "Modelling of a Large Solar PV Facility: England’s Mallard Solar Farm Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Hemant Bherwani & Saima Anjum & Ankit Gupta & Anju Singh & Rakesh Kumar, 2021. "Establishing influence of morphological aspects on microclimatic conditions through GIS-assisted mathematical modeling and field observations," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(11), pages 15857-15880, November.
    4. Mohd Ashraf Zainol Abidin & Muhammad Nasiruddin Mahyuddin & Muhammad Ammirrul Atiqi Mohd Zainuri, 2021. "Solar Photovoltaic Architecture and Agronomic Management in Agrivoltaic System: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-27, July.
    5. Schuster, Christian Stefano, 2020. "The quest for the optimum angular-tilt of terrestrial solar panels or their angle-resolved annual insolation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 1186-1191.
    6. Paulescu, Eugenia & Paulescu, Marius, 2021. "A new clear sky solar irradiance model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 2094-2103.

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