Learning lessons from Murzuq-Libya Meteorological Station: evaluation criteria and improvement recommendations

Abstract

In this study, an examination was conducted on weather data gathered from the Murzuq weather station over a period of nine months, specifically focusing on 15-minute time series solar radiation data. The data was sourced from the Center for Solar Energy Research and Studies in Tajoura-Tripoli, through a collaborative agreement between the Faculty of Engineering at Wadi Alshatti University and the research center. The information collected encompassed various solar radiation components, such as global horizontal solar radiation, direct normal radiation, sky-diffuse solar radiation, and ground reflected solar radiation. The aim of this study is to verify calculated values of these components using mathematical models by comparing them with their measured values. The investigation revealed that the Earth’s reflectance value for the region was estimated and determined to be around 0.4. It is important to note that this figure was different from the typically advised value of 0.2 that was given in previous literature.