Componentes principales funcionales de la radiación solar global de la provincia de Chimborazo, 2014-2017.

Abstract

This research aims to identify patterns of behaviour of global solar radiation (GSR) in the province of Chimborazo, from 2014 to 2017 through the statistical analysis of functional data, collected by the Alternative Energies and Environment Group of the “Escuela Superior Politécnica of Chimborazo” in the stations of: Alao, Atillo, Cumandá, ESPOCH, Matus, Multitud, Quimiag, San Juan, Tixan, Tunshi and Urbina. The study of meteorological variables becomes relevant when looking for possible sources of alternative and renewable energy, therefore, there is a need to know the characteristics of each of these, among which is the GSR, considering as functional data the intensity of radiation received during the 12 hours’ daylight thus working with 365 functional data per year. Through cross-correlation of the min.basis function of R, the smoothing cubic B-spline was identified as optimal with 15 bases and an average square error of 4.273653e-6. Atypical ones were identified: concentrated in 2015 for Alao and Atillo, in 2016 Tunshi and Multitud; with extreme behaviours in Tixan 2014 and 2017, and none in San Juan 2015, which were withdrawn for analysis. We found average GSR curves that range from 400 W / m2 (Multitud and Cumandá) to 800 W / m2 (ESPOCH). The level curves and raster surface images were plotted in which greater variability was observed from approximately 10 am to 3 pm. The first two main functional components, in general, explain a total variability greater than 80% for 2014, 2015 and 2016 while for 2017 of 74%. And the cluster analysis classified similar GSR behaviours into three groups: Alao, Cumandá, Atillo, San Juan, Urbina and Quimiag; ESPOCH, Tixan, Matus and Tunshi, and finally Multitud.