Journal of Solar Energy Engineering-Transactions of The ASME, Vol.123, No.3, 211-215, 2001
Global surface solar energy anomalies including El Nino and La Nina years
Weather anomalies that increase clouds influence the reliability of both renewable energy and building environmental-control systems. Non-grid solar power systems may run out of capacity for such items as communications electronics, flood-warning stream gages, refrigerators, and small village power systems. This paper provides 1X1-degree resolution global maps that identify, those regions which experienced large abnormal solar energy during a 10-year period. A source is identified where specific values for maximum year-to-year variability can be obtained in regions where ground-site measurements do not exist. The information may aid in the selection of safety factors for solar power systems.