Performance assessment of solar radiation based on satellite data in a Moroccan city

Solar radiation data in a relevant location on earth is a key component for all applications of solar energy. In the current study, four models are assessed for forecasting solar irradiation at a particularized location in southern Morocco. The satellite-derived radiation data for the years of2005 to 2020 are analyzed. The comparisons of predicted solar irradiation from studied models and satellite values have been performed using many statistical indicators, including the relative mean bias error (rMBE), the relative root mean square error (NRMSE), t-statistic (TS) and the determination coefficient (R2). Based on these indicators, the predicted solar irradiation values were in good correlation to satellite values. The obtained results in this study can be employed as basic information to estimate the accuracy of future solar energy systems appropriate in the studied location and in other sites in Morocco with identical climatic conditions where there are no solar radiation measurements.