A multivariate qualitative model for the prediction of daily global radiation from three hourly global radiation values

A new model for the prediction of daily global radiation using three hourly radiation values is proposed. This model is obtained by multivariate regression analysis. The hourly clearness index and various qualitative variables are used as independent variables. The hourly values are obtained from net ground measures of hourly global radiation corresponding to the hours in which Meteosat secondary images are available over Europe. The qualitative variables allow us to include additional non-numerical information, specifically, the season of the year. The proposed model is the same for all the locations analysed. This model can be used for the prediction of daily global radiation based on hourly global radiation data obtained from satellite images.