Milestones

 

Fall Semester

*      9/27/05   Determine the best software “engine” in which to develop this application

*      Completed:  Visual Studio.Net

*      Check out an image of our user interface here

*      10/4/05   Have preliminary webpage up and running

*      Completed:  Thanks for visiting our page!

*      10/18/05 Define equations to determine sunrise and sunset times

*      Completed:  Click here for graphs of sunrise and sunset times for anywhere in the world, any day of the year

*      11/08/05 Define equations to calculate insolation amounts

*      Completed:  Click here to see equations for Insolation amounts

*      12/06/05 Define all input parameters needed

*      Presentation of first semester results: December 6, 2005

 

Spring Semester

*      2/07/05   Layout of input data form

*      2/14/05   Layout of results displayed forms

*      2/21/05   Draft of User Manual

*      2/28/05   Sample results from Solar Availability Program

*      3/21/05   Present Program to Juniors Focus Group

*      3/28/05   Final Draft User Manual

*      4/14/05   Resubmit Revised Program to Juniors Focus Group

*      4/28/05   Final Draft of Computer Program

*      Setup of Projects for Final Review:  Maine Day: May 3, 2006

*      Open House, Operational Review of Project: May 4, 2006

*      Final Project Report Due: May 10, 2006

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Homepage / Final Report / Project Objectives / Milestones / Team Resumes / Nomenclature

 

User Interface

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Sunrise Graph

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Sunset Graph

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Hours of Daylight

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Sunrise and Sunset Time on Collector for Varying β

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Sunrise and Sunset on Collector for Varying γ

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Insolation Equations

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The term “insolation” is actually a combination of three words:  INcident, SOLar, and radiATION.  It is the sum of a set of radiation streams including beam radiation, diffuse radiation, and radiation reflected off of various surfaces which are seen by the collector.  Insolation is usually reported as an energy quantity available over a given time period, but may also be calculated as an instantaneous rate.  The following nomenclature will be used for insolation:

 

        I       Insolation over a period of one hour (J/m^2 or BTU/ft^2)

        H      Insolation over a period of one day (J/m^2 or BTU/ft^2)

        G      Instantaneous rate of insolation (W/m^2 or BTU/hrft^2)

        Ī, Ħ, G       Average insolation values

        Ib, Hb Ib              Direct beam components of insolation

        Iref, Href , Iref            Reflected components of insolation

        IT, HT ,IT     Insolation values on a tilted surface

 

 

The user will be required to input the following parameters:

        φ      Latitude (deg)

β      Collector tilt  (deg)

γ       Surface azimuth (deg)

ρg     Ground reflectance (should have monthly values)

KT     Monthly average clearness index

kT     Hourly clearness index (should have monthly values

Time period desired (monthly, daily, hourly)

 

Other variables that are used:

        δ      declination angel (deg0

θ      angel of incidence  (deg)

ωs     sunset (or sunrise) hour angle (deg)

ωa ωb             are dummy variables used in equations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Homepage / Final Report / Project Objectives / Milestones / Team Resumes / Nomenclature