ISSN 2360-7971
Abstract: This paper presents the correlation between total solar radiation, ambient air temperature, relative humidity and sunshine hours for Barkin Ladi, Nigeria, latitude 9.5oN and longitude 8.9oE. The total solar radiation (H), maximum and minimum ambient temperature, relative humidity and sunshine hour’s data were obtained from the meteorological unit of Yakubu Gowon Air Port, Heipang, Barkin Ladi L.G.A. of Plateau State, Nigeria. The correlation and plots of clearness index (H/H0) versus maximum ambient air temperature (Tmax), H/H0 versus the ratio of maximum and minimum ambient air temperature (Td), H/H0 versus maximum relative humidity (RHmax), H/Ho versus the difference between maximum and minimum relative humidity (RHd), H/Ho versus the ratio of maximum and minimum relative humidity (RHr) and H/Ho versus relative sunshine hours (ns/N) were undertaken to determine the correlation coefficient (R) and the linear equations. The corresponding R-values obtained were 0.387, 0.550, 0.515, 0.761, 0.654, 0.532 and 0.540 respectively. The analysis showed that the model based on H/Ho versus RHmax is best for predicting the total solar radiation for the Barkin Ladi location. It is concluded further that in the absence of ambient air temperature and sunshine hours, the relative humidity data that are commonly measured in meteorological stations can be used to estimate the global solar radiation of the location.
Keywords: Correlation, total solar radiation, temperature, relative humidity, sunshine hours, Barkin