Variability of solar radiation under cloud‐free skies in China: The role of aerosols

Abstract

Analysis of long‐term surface global and diffuse solar radiation, aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA), and relative humidity (RH) data reveals that much of China experienced significant decreases in global solar radiation (GSR) and increases in diffuse solar radiation under cloud‐free skies between the 1960s and 1980s. With RH and aerosol SSA being rather constant during that time period, we suggest that the increasing aerosol loading from emission of pollutants is responsible for the observed reduced GSR and increased diffuse radiation in cloud‐free skies. Although pollutant emissions continue to increase after the 1980s, the increment of aerosol SSA since 1980s can partly explain the transition of GSR from a decreasing trend to no apparent trend around that time. Preliminary analysis is also provided on the potential role of RH in affecting the global and diffuse solar radiation reaching the earth surface.