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Science 9 November 1979:
Vol. 206. no. 4419, pp. 679 - 681
DOI: 10.1126/science.206.4419.679
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Articles

Solar Availability for Winter Space Heating: An Analysis of SOLMET Data, 1953 to 1975

J. G. ASBURY 1, C. MASLOWSKI 1, and R. O. MUELLER 1

1 Energy and Environmental Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439

Solar availability for space heating on coldest-weather days has been determined from an analysis of SOLMET data tapes. The tapes contain hourly readings of insolation and ambient temperature over the period from 1953 through 1975. Scatter diagrams of insolation versus heating degree-days, compiled on a daily basis, indicate a wide variation in the insolation level, even during coldest-weather periods. For all but one of the eight sites studied, the peak-day backup energy requirement of the solar system was in excess of 85 percent of the peak-day energy requirement of the conventional (nonsolar) heating system.

Submitted on May 14, 1979
Revised on July 6, 1979


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems: Will They Reduce Utility Peaking Requirements?.
R. O. MUELLER, B. K. CHA, and R. F. GIESE (1981)
Science 213, 211-213
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)