Solar radiation provides the energy that drives processes ranging from crop and insect development to active and passive solar energy systems. Despite its importance, solar radiation remains among the least measured climatological variables.
Solar radiation measurements in the northeaster United States are relatively few in number and have limited periods of record. Due to the paucity of direct measurements and the receipt of frequent requests for solar radiation data, NRCC has adapted and implemented the Meyers and Dale model to provide daily solar radiations estimates for sites in the northeastern United States. Comparisons of the radiation estimates produced by the modified model and observations at northeastern sites show mean absolute errors of less than 13% and a mean error very close to zero. Since this semi-physical model requires only standard hourly surface observations as input, current solar radiation estimates can be generated at several dozen hourly observing sties within one region. Historical solar radiation estimates dating back to 1948 can be computed at approximately 30 sites in the Northeast which have digitized hourly data. Such a data base of estimated solar radiation values will provide essential data for applications ranging from crop modeling to the design of solar energy systems. In addition, the model estimates provide a comparative standard for the quality control of solar radiation measurements in the region.
7 pp.
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