Figures 2 and 3 depict the plots of PACF and ACF of UVR over Lagos, Figs. 4 and 5 represent PACF and ACF of UVR over Ibadan while the PACF and ACF of UVR over New Richmond are tagged as Figs. 6 and 7.
In Figs. 2, 4 and 6, only the PACFs are tending towards zero with an increase in lags which means the UV radiation datasets over Lagos, Ibadan and New Richmond are stationary, while the ACFs of Figs. 3, 5 and 7 are not tending to zero while the lags increase. That is, the ACF cannot remove the non-stationarity in the UV radiation over Lagos, Ibadan and New Richmond.
Daily mean predicted values of UV radiation over the study locations on every last day of each month from January 2021 to December 2022, which is from 31st of January 2021 to 31st of December 2022 of UVR over the study locations (Lagos, Ibadan and New Richmond) are featured in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. However, UVR ARIMA fitted for Lagos, Ibadan and New Richmond are represented by Figs. 11, 12 and 13 respectively.
The Results of Partial Correlation PACF and Autocorrelation ACF
The results images are available in the Figures carousel.
PACF and ACF Discussion
The predictive models, which will be applied in the arrangement are selected about the stationarity of the Autocorrelation function (ACF) and Partial Correlation function (PACF) when the stationarity is achieved, followed by future prediction [11, 12]. The values of p and q can be determined by the time series stationarity of ACF and PACF results. A dataset is stationary when ACF is increased relative to the lag and rapidly tending to zero (0), and non-stationary when the ACF is increased in relation to the lag and does not tend to zero (0) [8].
Mean Daily Prediction Discussion
Figures 8, 9 and 10 show the graphs of the mean daily values of UV radiation over Lagos, Ibadan and New Richmond respectively from 2000 to 2022 which comprise observed mean daily values and predicted mean daily (the mean value of each last day of every month in the study period – 2000–2020) values of the UV radiation over the study areas. In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the blues colour lines represent the observed mean daily values of UV radiation over the study areas while the orange colour lines represent the predicted mean daily values of the UV radiation over the study areas.
ARIMA Fitted
The graph images are available in the Figures carousel.
The discussion of ARIMA Fitted results
The graphs of ARIMA fitted values of UVR in Lagos, Ibadan and New Richmond are shown in Figs. 10, 12 and 13 respectively. ARIMA fitted was employed to evaluate errors in the predicted values through the help of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Average Error (MAE), and Mean Average Percentage Error (MAPE) where the original (raw) data were presented in green colour and the red colour represented the predicted values over each study locations. The ARIMA-fitted values of UV radiation in the study locations – Lagos, Ibadan and New Richmond, showed that the original (raw) data and the predicted data are correlated.
Discussion of Results
The results obtained from the ARIMA modelling of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) levels over Lagos, Ibadan, and New Richmond provide valuable insights into the temporal variations and predictive capabilities of the models. This discussion focuses on the accuracy of the forecasts, the implications for public health and renewable energy sectors, and potential avenues for further research.
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Accuracy of Forecasts: The ARIMA models developed for predicting UVR levels demonstrated robust performance across the three locations. Key metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the forecasts. Generally, the models achieved low error rates, indicating a good fit to the historical UVR data. For instance, the MAPE values ranged within acceptable limits, suggesting that the models are reliable for forecasting UVR levels in these regions.
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Implications for Public Health: Accurate UVR predictions are crucial for public health initiatives aimed at minimizing the adverse effects of UV exposure on human health. With reliable forecasts, authorities can issue timely advisories to the public about UV intensity and recommend appropriate measures such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak UV hours. The findings of study underscore the importance of integrating UVR forecasting into public health policies to mitigate risks associated with skin cancers, sunburns, and other UV-related health conditions.
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Implications for Renewable Energy: In the context of renewable energy, precise UVR predictions are essential for optimizing the performance of solar energy systems. By forecasting UVR levels, solar power generation can be better managed, leading to increased efficiency and reliability of solar panels. This application is particularly relevant in regions like Lagos, Ibadan, and New Richmond, where solar energy potential is significant but highly dependent on local weather conditions, including UVR intensity.
Limitations and Future Directions
Despite the promising results, several limitations warrant consideration for future research. Firstly, the ARIMA models assume stationarity and may not capture abrupt changes or nonlinear trends in UVR levels. Incorporating more advanced time series models or machine learning techniques could enhance predictive accuracy, especially in capturing complex interactions between meteorological variables and UVR. Furthermore, expanding the geographical scope beyond these three locations could provide a broader understanding of UVR patterns across different climatic zones and latitudes. Additionally, integrating real-time data from advanced satellite platforms or ground-based sensors could improve the temporal resolution and reliability of UVR forecasts.