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Transmittance index characterization at two solar measurement stations in Brazil

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Abstract

This paper constructs probability density distributions of direct normal, diffuse horizontal, and global horizontal irradiance for 1-min clearness indexes kb, kd, and kt, respectively. Previous studies on the clearness index, conditioned to the optical air mass, are analyzed and distributions of these three indexes, using data from two solarimetric stations in Brazil, are presented. The pattern found in probability density distributions, in general, matches the patterns found in the literature. The 50th percentile (P50) of kb values from Sao Paulo city (a location with high levels of pollution) is 0.22, and from the countryside region of the state of Sao Paulo (a location with expected low levels of pollution), it is 0.55. Regarding kt values, P50 is 0.57 and 0.72 for these two regions, respectively. We conclude that different atmospheric conditions result in a different dependence relation between probability density distribution and air mass increases. These conditions include not only cloud formation, but also pollution levels and the influence of relative humidity. These specific results endorse the need for local radiation measurements to the characterization of few-minute average of transmittance indexes.

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Acknowledgments

To CAPES and CNPQ, for the scholarship; to CESP, for funding the P&D ANEEL PD-0061-0043/2014, enabling the accomplishment of this article; to Flavius Ageu Chitto dos Reis for proofreading and language editing. We would also like to thank the team of researchers and collaborators who directly or indirectly influenced the P&D ANEEL and the anonymous reviewer for his highly valuable comments.

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  1. Energy Group of the Electrical Power and Automation Engineering Department (GEPEA), Polytechnic University of São Paulo (EPUSP), Avenida Prof. Luciano Gualberto, Rua 3, no. 58. Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-010, Brazil

    Stefania Gomes Relva, André Luiz Veiga Gimenes, Miguel Edgar Morales Udaeta & Luiz Cláudio Ribeiro Galvão

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  1. Stefania Gomes Relva
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  2. André Luiz Veiga Gimenes
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  3. Miguel Edgar Morales Udaeta
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  4. Luiz Cláudio Ribeiro Galvão
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Correspondence to Stefania Gomes Relva.

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Relva, S.G., Gimenes, A.L.V., Udaeta, M.E.M. et al. Transmittance index characterization at two solar measurement stations in Brazil. Theor Appl Climatol 139, 205–219 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-019-02941-6

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