Analysis of the Radiation Regime of the Atmosphere for the Assessment of Potential Solar Energy Resources of Ukraine

Abstract

Problem Statement. Solar energy is steadily gaining a strong foothold in global energy systems. Solar energy is accessible in every corner of our planet, differing in radiation density by no more than a factor of two. Moreover, solar energy is an environmentally clean energy source, enabling its use on an ever-increasing scale without adverse effects on the environment. Solar energy is also an almost inexhaustible source of energy, available even millions of years from now. Thanks to the development of solar installation designs, which are economically viable in certain physical-geographical areas, the prospects for utilizing radiant energy from the Sun have become more tangible. However, this requires researchers to conduct detailed studies of the energy resources of specific regions of the globe to assess their energy potential thoroughly.

The purpose of this article is to identify the characteristics of the atmospheric radiation regime to evaluate Ukraine's solar energy resources.

Methodology. The utilization of solar energy primarily depends on the geographical location of the area, and the level of solar radiation determines the efficiency of solar installations. Therefore, analyzing the prospects for using solar radiation in various regions of Ukraine based on their geographical location, cloudiness, and season is essential. Solar energy inflow across Ukraine should be studied not individually by regions but grouped by the geographical position of the regions in degrees of northern latitude. To assess the potential solar energy resources of a given area, justify the technical-design parameters of various solar systems, and evaluate the economic feasibility of their operation across different seasons and times of day at specific locations, the following indicators are needed: potential sums of direct, diffuse, and total solar radiation, sunshine duration (number of hours), average cloud cover indicators, number of clear and cloudy days. The research includes an analysis of total solar radiation sums under various sky conditions and sunshine duration for Ukrainian regions over different periods. Meteorological stations across different regions of the country were selected to achieve the study's objectives.

Results. The analysis of total radiation flows over the territory of Ukraine for different periods and under various sky conditions shows that the maximum sums are typical for Odesa, while the minimum values are observed in Kovel. The annual distributions have a clearly defined pattern, with peaks in June and July. The sums of total radiation differ under various sky conditions across regions: in summer, these changes range between 10–30 %, while in winter, the values may vary 1.5 to 2.5 times, particularly during the 1991-2020 period. Annual sums of total radiation are generally lower during the 1961-1990 period. The analysis of sunshine duration demonstrates that the highest figures are characteristic of Odesa. The annual curves have a similar structure across different periods at all stations, with peaks in June-July and lows in December.

Novelty and Practical Significance. The study analyzed two indicators of the atmospheric radiation regime – total solar radiation inflow and sunshine duration across different climatic periods. The findings of the research highlight that Ukraine's energy potential is promising for supporting the fuel-energy sector and the further development of the country's solar energy industry.