Analysing Spatial and Temporal Variability of Solar Radiation Using Wavelet Spectrum Transforms: Case Studies from Nigeria and the United States

Authors

Keywords:

Solar Radiation, Renewable Energy, Nigeria, United States, Wavelet Spectrum Transform, Climate variability

Abstract

Solar radiation, a fundamental driver of Earth's climate system, exhibits significant spatial and temporal variability across different geographical locations. This study employs wavelet spectrum transforms to analyse hourly solar radiation data spanning two decades over selected cities: Ibadan and Lagos in Nigeria, and New Richmond in the United States. Continuous wavelet transforms with the Morlet wavelet function are utilized to dissect the complex dynamics of solar radiation patterns. The analysis reveals distinct temporal trends and spatial distributions of solar radiation, providing insights into environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity, and socio-economic implications. By elucidating the intricate relationship between solar radiation variability and geographical locations, this study contributes to inform decision-making in renewable energy planning, climate adaptation strategies, and public health interventions.

Dimensions

Adewole, A.T., E. O. Falayi, T. O. Roy-Layinde, A. D. Adelaja, (2020). Chaotic time series analysis of meteorological parameters in some selected stations in Nigeria. Sci Afr 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00617 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00617

Cantero, D., M. Ülker-Kaustell, R. Karoumi, (2016). Time-frequency analysis of railway bridge response in forced vibration. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing 76–77, 518–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymssp.2016.01.016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymssp.2016.01.016

Falayi, E.O., A. T. Adewole, A. D. Adelaja, T. O. Roy-Layinde, (2020). Wavelet spectrum analysis of Air temperature and Relative humidity in some selected stations in Nigeria, Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (DUJOPAS). [online]. Available at : https://123pdf.org/document/zwvw3g9v-wavelet-spectrum-analysis-temperature-relative-humidity-selected-stations.html

Fidrmuc, J., L. Korhonen, J. Poměnková, (2014). Wavelet spectrum analysis of business cycles of China and G7 countries. Applied Economics Letters 21, 1309–1313. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2014.920468 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2014.920468

Foufoula-Georgiou, Efi., Kumar, Praveen., (1994). Wavelets in geophysics. Academic Press. [online]. Available at: https://books.google.com.ng/books?hl=en&lr=&id=cfRYv-WxG28C&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=Foufoula-Georgiou,+Efi.,+Kumar,+Praveen.,+(1994).+Wavelets+in+geophysics.+Academic+Press.&ots=bFz3B0pdpW&sig=x-g5HnJLd5PqqM8QdkkEf8qjo5M&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Foufoula-Georgiou%2C%20Efi.%2C%20Kumar%2C%20Praveen.%2C%20(1994).%20Wavelets%20in%20geophysics.%20Academic%20Press.&f=false

Grinsted, A., J. C. Moore, S. Jevrejeva, (2004). Application of the cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence to geophysical time series Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics Application of the cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence to geophysical time series, European Geosciences Union (EGU). [online]. Available at: https://npg.copernicus.org/articles/11/561/2004/

Grinsted, A., J. C. Moore, S. Jevrejeva, (2004). Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics Application of the cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence to geophysical time series. [online]. Available at: https://npg.copernicus.org/articles/11/561/2004/ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-11-561-2004

Hong Zhang, Sheng Zhang, Ping Wang, Yuzhe Qin and Huifeng Wang (2017). Forecasting of PM10 time series using wavelet analysis and wavelet-ARMA model in Taiyuan, China. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. Page 2162 - 2906. https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2017.1292968. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2017.1292968

Kelly, B. C., P. A. Hughes, H. D. Aller, M. F. Aller, (2003). the cross-wavelet transform and analysis of quasi-periodic behavior in the pearson-readhead vlbi survey sources. [online]. Available at: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1086/375511/meta DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/375511

NATO Science Series, (2022). Environmental UV Radiation: Impact on Ecosystems and Human Health and Predictive Models. [online]. Available at: https://www.walmart.com/ip/NATO-Science-Series-IV-Environmental-UV-Radiation-Impact-Ecosystems-Human-Health-Predictive-Models-Proceedings-NATO-Advanced-Study-Institute-Environm-9781402036958/237402518 [accessed: 5th of April, 2022]

Torrence, C., and G. P. Compo, (1998). A Practical Guide to Wavelet Analysis. [online]. Available at: https://paos.colorado.edu/research/wavelets/bams_79_01_0061.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477(1998)079<0061:APGTWA>2.0.CO;2

Verwichte, E., (2017). Continuous wavelet transforms Python module. [online]. Available at: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/research/cfsa/dkistwp2/d1c_cwt/wavelet_python_documentation.pdf

Wang, Y., (2022). Defense Budget Growth and Inflation: A Wavelet-Based Study of the U.S. and Britain. Political Studies Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/14789299211068407 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14789299211068407

Wilks, D.S., (2019). Time Series, in Statistical Methods in the Atmospheric Sciences. Elsevier, pp. 485–550. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815823-4.00010-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815823-4.00010-9

Zhao, Yifan, R. C. Laguna, Zhao, Yitian, J. J. Liu, X. He, J. Yianni, P. G. Sarrigiannis, (2018). A wavelet-based correlation analysis framework to study cerebrovascular activity in essential tremors. Complexity 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7269494 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7269494

Published

2025-10-02

How to Cite

Analysing Spatial and Temporal Variability of Solar Radiation Using Wavelet Spectrum Transforms: Case Studies from Nigeria and the United States. (2025). Nigerian Journal of Theoretical and Environmental Physics, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.62292/njtep.v3i3.2025.86

How to Cite

Analysing Spatial and Temporal Variability of Solar Radiation Using Wavelet Spectrum Transforms: Case Studies from Nigeria and the United States. (2025). Nigerian Journal of Theoretical and Environmental Physics, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.62292/njtep.v3i3.2025.86

Most read articles by the same author(s)