A technique for mapping global illuminance from satellite data

Abstract

A technique for mapping global illuminance from satellite data was developed. A five-year (1998–2002) climatology of global solar illuminance obtained from this technique is presented for Thailand using hourly GMS-5 satellite data. The technique is based on a radiation budget model which traces solar radiation as it is scattered, absorbed and reflected back to space. The model produces an earth-atmospheric albedo in the satellite spectral window as well as global illuminance at the earth’s surface. The model is tuned using surface illuminance measurements at four stations in Thailand: Chiang Mai (18.78°N, 98.98°E), Ubon Ratchatani (15.25°N, 104.87°E), Songkhla (7.20°N, 100.60 °E) and Nakhon Pathom (13.82°N, 100.04°E). In the mapping process, a satellite earth-atmospheric albedo at any locations yields a cloud-atmospheric albedo in the satellite band, which is then transformed into a cloud-atmospheric albedo in the photopic band. Having obtained the photopic cloud-atmospheric albedo, the model calculates surface illuminance. The model gives a root mean square difference of 8.1% and a mean bias difference of −2.6% when tested against an independent data set. Monthly average maps are presented covering Thailand for local times of 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30.