Distributed Modeling of Diffuse Solar Radiation over Rugged Terrain of the Yellow River Basin

Abstract

AbstractIn view of the compositive action of astronomy, atmosphere, macro‐geographical and local topography factors on diffuse solar radiation (DSR), influences of sky factors and ground factors are separated. Using the extraterrestrial solar radiation model and the terrain openness model, found on DEM data, influences of ground factors on DSR are considered. Using the horizontal diffuse solar radiation model, simulated by routine meteorological observation data, influences of sky factors on DSR are considered. Based on anisotropy scattering mechanism, with DEM data and routine meteorological observations as input, a distributed model for calculating DSR over rugged terrains is developed, which furnishes a new line of thoughts to DSR simulation over rugged terrain. Using DEM data with resolution of 1km × 1km as the general characterization of terrain, distributed modeling of DSR quantity over the Yellow River Basin is successfully achieved.