Modeling the global solar energy

Solar energy is the main energy source for the life. Solar energy plays an important role in engineering applications, energy sector and architectural designs. It is possible to know solar radiation value by measurements. Especially in developing countries, sometimes solar radiation cannot be measured due to installation, maintenance, repair and calibration requirements of the measuring devices. At some meteorological stations, main parameters have been measured, but solar radiation measurements may not be available. There are some cases like; measurements of solar radiation are recorded at certain large meteorological stations, but these measurements are not available in small settlements. Estimation models are used to obtain solar radiation values where there are deficiencies in data sets and where solar measurements are not performed. Experimental models allow to estimate solar radiation with the aid of other measured meteorological parameters. Existing estimation models are mathematical expressions that have been studied for a specific geographical region. The application of most models in the literature are limited to certain areas, and the models have not been generally verified outside these regions. In most cases, when the user wishes to use an estimation model, it is necessary to calibrate the models by deriving their coefficients for a region. There are lack of studies in the literature on solar radiation prediction models that are applicable and ready-to-use for Turkey. Within the scope of this thesis, seven solar radiation estimation models were developed by using different meteorological parameters. These models are ready-to-use for Turkey's geography and were compared with the existing models. Proposed models have been applied to the other regions of the world and the performances of the models have been seen for different geographies.