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Modeling all-sky global solar radiation using MODIS atmospheric products: A case study in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

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Abstract

The surface solar radiation (SSR) is of great importance to bio-chemical cycle and life activities. However, it is impossible to observe SSR directly over large areas especially for rugged surfaces such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This paper presented an improved parameterized model for predicting all-sky global solar radiation on rugged surfaces using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) atmospheric products and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The global solar radiation was validated using 11 observations within the plateau. The correlation coefficients of daily data vary between 0.67–0.86, while those of the averages of 10-day data are between 0.79–0.97. The model indicates that the attenuation of SSR is mainly caused by cloud under cloudy sky, and terrain is an important factor influencing SSR over rugged surfaces under clear sky. A positive relationship can also be inferred between the SSR and slope. Compared with horizontal surfaces, the south-facing slope receives more radiation, followed by the west- and east-facing slopes with less SSR, and the SSR of the north-facing slope is the least.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Hailong Zhang, Gaohuan Liu & Chong Huang

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  1. Hailong Zhang
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  2. Gaohuan Liu
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  3. Chong Huang
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Correspondence to Hailong Zhang.

Additional information

Foundation item: Under the auspices of Knowledge Innovation Programs of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX2-YW-308), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40771172, 40901223)

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Zhang, H., Liu, G. & Huang, C. Modeling all-sky global solar radiation using MODIS atmospheric products: A case study in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Chin. Geogr. Sci. 20, 513–521 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-010-0423-3

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