Abstract: Global Solar Radiation (H) for Dubai and Sharjah,
Latitude 25.25oN, Longitude 55oE and 25.29oN, Longitude 55oE
respectively have been studied using sunshine hour data (n) of the
areas using various methods. These calculated global solar radiation
values are then compared to the measured values presented by
NASA. Furthermore, the extraterrestrial (H0), diffuse (Hd) and beam
radiation (Hb) are also calculated. The diffuse radiation is calculated
using methods proposed by Page and Liu and Jordan (L-J). Diffuse
Radiation from the Page method is higher than the L-J method.
Moreover, the clearness index (KT) signifies a clear sky almost all
year round. Rainy days are hardly a few in a year and limited in the
months December to March. The temperature remains between 25oC
in winter to 44oC in summer and is desirable for thermal applications
of solar energy. From the estimated results, it appears that solar
radiation can be utilized very efficiently throughout the year for
photovoltaic and thermal applications.