Direct solar radiation data as input into mathematical models describing the thermal performance of buildings—I. A review of existing relationships which predict the direct component of solar radiation

Abstract

Solar radiation is not commonly recorded in the meteorological network and it is therefore generally necessary to predict its value theoretically. The majority of solar radiation predictive methods assume a standard atmosphere. Thus they are of limited application to ‘all-year’ thermal design models. A review of the nature of direct solar radiation and methods by which it can be predicted are presented.