Solar Radiation Data Manual
for
Flat-Plate and Concentrating Collectors

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Designers and engineers of solar energy conversion systems need solar resource information for different locations and types of collectors. Solar resource information provides data on how much solar energy is available to a collector and how it might vary from month to month and year to year.

This manual provides solar radiation values for common flat-plate and concentrating collectors for 239 stations in the United States and its territories. The solar radiation values are expressed as monthly and yearly averages for the period of 1961-1990. Minimum and maximum monthly and yearly averages are included to show the variability of a station's solar resource.

In addition to the solar radiation data, this manual contains tables listing climatic conditions such as average temperatures, average daily minimum and maximum temperatures, record minimum and maximum temperatures, average heating and cooling degree days, average relative humidity, and average wind speed.

The solar radiation and climatic data are presented in tables, with each station having its data presented on a single page.

Technical Background

Table of Contents

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