Annual cycle of surface meteorological and solar energy parameters over Orissa

Abstract

Surface meteorological and solar energy parameters over Orissa are studied using observed data from India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Surface meteorology and Solar Energy (NASA SSE) data set. The observed data are mostly on surface meteorological parameters over 17 meteorological stations over Orissa. SSE data set, Release 3, is a satellite and reanalysis derived 10 year climatology (July 1983-June 1993) available on global grid mesh of 1° and consisting of both surface meteorological and solar energy parameters. The usefulness of NASA data set for the Orissa regions are examined by comparing it with IMD data. Comparative views of the annual cycle of both the data sets reveal the intensities and periods of extremes and their relative agreements /disagreements in the course of the annual cycle. Closeness of fit and coherence between the two data sets are examined through scatter plots and cross-spectral analysis, respectively. The results show a better goodness of fit between IMD and NASA data set in air temperature and lowest standard error of estimate in wind speed. Cross-spectrum analysis shows very good coherence between IMD and NASA data in the annual and semi-annual bands but lesser coherence in the intra-seasonal band. The results suggest that NASA data, when used in conjunction with good quality observed data, can make it possible to assess the renewable energy potential of different districts in Orissa, besides its use for weather and climate study.