Assessment of Sunshine Duration Trends in Benin through Polygonal Methods

Sunshine duration (SD) is crucial for various natural and human systems, including agriculture and photovoltaic (PV) energy production, as well as numerous environmental outcomes. This study highlights trends in sunshine duration from 1967 to 2017 in Benin. The sunshine duration data was obtained from the Benin Meteorological Agency. The innovative polygon trend analysis (IPTA) and trend polygon star concept (TPSC) methods were applied to the average monthly durations per day. The IPTA test indicates a decrease in sunshine duration in Cotonou and Kandi, while Sav`e experiences an increase. TPSC reveals that sunshine duration increases by two hours between September and October, while it decreases by about 1.5 hours from June to July. In Cotonou specifically, this decline occurs from May to June. As one of the pioneers in Benin, this study paves way for future research that could explore the long-term impacts of changes in sunshine duration on various socio-economic and health sectors in the country. Establishing a continuous sunshine monitoring system would enhance our ability to anticipate and respond to climate variations, thereby ensuring greater resilience against environmental challenges.