Introducing the Solar Radiation and Energy Laboratory of the Eratosthenes’ Centre of Excellence: Overview of Activities

Abstract

A brief overview of the newly established Solar Radiation and Energy Laboratory of the Eratosthenes’ Centre of Excellence is provided. The laboratory focuses on fundamental research and practical applications related to solar radiation levels, radiative transfer modeling, and atmospheric effects. The laboratory’s goal is to establish a scientific foundation that will support some of the most important sectors of the EU and Cyprus Smart Specialization Strategy, including energy, tourism, health, and agriculture, and become a reference point for the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North African region. Finally, some preliminary results concerning solar radiation climatology and a system for clear-sky ultraviolet index forecast over Cyprus are presented.

Keywords

• solar radiation monitoring
• solar energy
• ultraviolet radiation
• radiative transfer modeling
• climate
• forecasting