Abstract
Complete and accurate global solar radiation (Rs) data at a specific region are crucial for regional climate assessment and crop growth modeling. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the capability of 12 solar radiation models based on meteorological data obtained from 21 meteorological stations in China. The results showed that the estimated and measured dailyRshad statistically significant correlations (P<0.01) for all the 12 models in 7 subzones of China. The Bahel model showed the best performance for dailyRsestimation among the sunshine-based models, with averageR2of 0.910, average RMSE of 2.306 MJ m−2 d−1, average RRMSE of 17.3%, average MAE of 1.724 MJ m−2 d−1, and average NS of 0.895, respectively. The Bristow-Campbell (BC) model showed the best performance among the temperature-based models, with averageR2of 0.710, average RMSE of 3.952 MJ m−2 d−1, average RRMSE of 29.5%, average MAE of 2.958 MJ m−2 d−1, and average NS of 0.696, respectively. On monthly scale, Ögelman model showed the best performance among the sunshine-based models, with average RE of 5.66%. The BC model showed the best performance among the temperature-based models, with average RE of 8.26%. Generally, the sunshine-based models were more accurate than the temperature-based models. Overall, the Bahel model is recommended to estimate dailyRs, Ögelman model is recommended to estimate monthly average dailyRsin China when the sunshine duration is available, and the BC model is recommended to estimate both dailyRsand monthly average dailyRswhen only temperature data are available.
Highlights
Solar energy is the most fundamental renewable energy source on the earth’s surface, and global solar radiation (Rs) plays an important role in a wide range of applications in areas such as meteorology and hydrology [1]
Liu et al [10] evaluated the accuracy and applicability of 16 temperaturebased models, including modified versions of the BC and HS models in 15 meteorological stations of Northeast China, North China Plain, and Northwest China, and the results showed that the original BC model performed to the best performing modified HS model but significantly outperformed the original HS model with a 4∼7% higher accuracy
The calibrated a of HS and AN models were both in the range 0.139∼0.155
Summary
Solar energy is the most fundamental renewable energy source on the earth’s surface, and global solar radiation (Rs) plays an important role in a wide range of applications in areas such as meteorology and hydrology [1]. Due to the fast growth in the global energy demand and destructive effects of fossil fuels on the environment, there is a growing demand for reliable Rs information for clean energy technology development [3, 4]. The best method to determine the amount of Rs at any site is to install measuring instruments such as pyranometers or pyrheliometers at every specific location. Monitoring their daily recording and maintenance, is a very troublesome business and costly exercise [5, 6]. The reliable measurement of Rs data is relatively scarce in many developing countries due to the expensive instruments, technical equipment, and maintenance requirements [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
