Correlation between the distribution of solar energy resources and the cloud cover in Xinjiang

Abstract

Abstract In order to study the influence of cloud cover on solar energy resources, it provides scientific basis for the development and utilization of solar radiation resources. Based on the Cloud and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECWMF) data from 2014-2018, the correlation between the temporal and spatial distribution of solar energy resources and the cloud cover in Xinjiang was studied and analyzed. The results show that solar energy resources have generally shown an upward trend in the past five years, with an average annual radiation of 7206.5 MJ/m2 and very stable. The overall distribution of solar radiation is mainly dominated by latitude, decreasing from south to north, and the change is relatively uniform. The maximum value of annual total radiation in the southern area of Xinjiang is about 9000 MJ/m2, which is 1.5 times of that in the northern area. The maximum daily total radiation is 28.88 MJ/m2 in July, which is 3.3 times of that in December. The total radiation in summer can reach up to 2200 MJ/m2, which is 2.2 times of that in winter. Summer radiation is high but fluctuating, and winter radiation is small but relatively stable. The autumn is the period with the least amount of total cloud during the year, the cloud cover in the northern area is about 40%, and the winter in the northern area is the highest along the foothills of the Tianshan Mountain, up to 70%. The fitting effect of radiation attenuation and cloud cover in the northern area is higher than that in the southern area, and the maximum correlation coefficient is 0.98 in summer and the minimum is 0.571 in winter. The fitting effect of radiation attenuation and cloud cover in the northern area is higher than that in the southern area, and the maximum correlation coefficient is 0.98 in summer and the minimum is 0.571 in winter. The solar radiation is mainly affected by clouds in summer, while in winter, there are other factors such as aerosols.