Abstract

LUCANO, Marcelo J.  and  FUENTES M., I van E.. EVALUATION OF THE GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION POTENTIAL IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COCHABAMBA (BOLIVIA) USING MODELS OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SATELLITE IMAGES. Revista Boliviana de Física [online]. 2010, vol.17, n.17, pp.13-21. ISSN 1562-3823.

Using Geographic Information Systems and satellite imaging, this study estimates the global solar ra-diation valúes using models generated from data recorded over a period of 22 years and applying NASAs SSE methodology. Using the se radiation valúes and the geostatistical analysis software ILWIS the time and space distribution of solar radiation for the Department of Cochabamba was obtained. The analysis involved data from a grid made up of 16 squares that make up Cochabamba and used the method of moving sur face with inverse distance, weight exponent 1, spherical distance andparabolic second order. It is observedthat the lowest levéis of radiation corresponded with the months May to July (winter) and the highest radiation levéis with the period October to December (summer). In addition, it was noted that the northeast región of the Cochabamba showed the lowest annual radiation valúes (4.2- A.5kWh/m² per day). This is due to the fact that the región is closer to sea lev el and characterised by a tropical and humid climate which leads to a greater dispersión of solar radiation. In the southwest región of Cochabamba which forms part of the Central Eastern Mountain Range and has a dry climate, the solar radiation is higher (5.7 - 6.3kWh/m ² per day). The study identifies seven regions of radiation levéis with increasing radiation from northeast to southwest which agree with previous studies. The radiation valúes obtained through interpolation were valídate d with surface measurements with an average anual error of 10%.Subject headings: solar radiation - satellite related technology