A mathematical model for solar radiation in South-East Asia (Thailand)

Abstract A compact first order random model for simulating daily totals of solar radiation and hourly solar radiation fluxes by computer is described. It is based on detailed studies of solar radiation data for Thailand and is expected to be applicable over the entire South-East Asian peninsula. Empirical formulae (binomial distributions) have been found to give satisfactory approximations to the probability distributions needed. Consequently the model can be operated with only a modest amount of input information related to the statistics of the daily totals of solar radiation throughout the year. Provision is made for estimating the separation of the solar radiation fluxes into their direct and diffuse components.