A framework and methodology for reporting geographically and temporally resolved solar data: A case study of Texas

This paper presents a framework and methodology for reporting measured solar radiation data. Geographically and temporally resolved solar data have been calculated for all 254 counties in Texas using geospatial interpolation of data from 24 existing terrestrial measurement locations. Hourly global, direct, and diffuse horizontal radiation data have been obtained from 15 measurement sites at the Texas Solar Radiation Database, a project at The University of Texas at Austin, and from 9 sites at the National Solar Radiation Database. Average radiation fluxes and peak insolation have been calculated using daylight hours in addition to the total energy in kW h/m2 day. The methodology presented in this paper provides solar insolation data in a convenient format for engineers, scientists, policy-makers, homeowners, and consumers to assess the potential of solar energy at the county resolution. This methodology enables informed decisions about the economic viability of solar installations at particular locations and with useful diurnal and seasonal fidelity. These results are presented in a series of maps, figures, and tables included in this paper.