Articles | Volume 14, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-1021-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-1021-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
12 Sep 2018
Research article |
| 12 Sep 2018
| 12 Sep 2018
Downwelling surface solar irradiance in the tropical Atlantic Ocean: a comparison of re-analyses and satellite-derived data sets to PIRATA measurements
Mélodie Trolliet
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, O.I.E. – Centre Observation, Impacts, Energy, Sophia Antipolis, France
Jakub P. Walawender
Deutscher Wetterdienst, Offenbach, Germany
Bernard Bourlès
IRD/LEGOS, Brest, France
Alexandre Boilley
Transvalor, Mougins, France
Jörg Trentmann
Deutscher Wetterdienst, Offenbach, Germany
Philippe Blanc
MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, O.I.E. – Centre Observation, Impacts, Energy, Sophia Antipolis, France
Mireille Lefèvre
MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, O.I.E. – Centre Observation, Impacts, Energy, Sophia Antipolis, France
Lucien Wald
MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, O.I.E. – Centre Observation, Impacts, Energy, Sophia Antipolis, France
Related authors
Claire Thomas, Stephen Dorling, William Wandji Nyamsi, Lucien Wald, Stéphane Rubino, Laurent Saboret, Mélodie Trolliet, and Etienne Wey
Adv. Sci. Res., 16, 229–240, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-16-229-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-16-229-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Solar radiation is the second main important factors for plant growth after temperature. More precisely, PAR, which stands for Photosynthetically Active Radiation, is the portion of the solar spectrum that is efficient for photosynthesis. Due to the scarcity of ground measurements, researchers have developed methods to estimate this variable from satellite imagery. This paper compares several methods to assess satellite-derived PAR against measurements in the UK and in France.
Mélodie Trolliet and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 15, 127–136, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-127-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-127-2018, 2018
Uwe Pfeifroth, Jaqueline Drücke, Steffen Kothe, Jörg Trentmann, Marc Schröder, and Rainer Hollmann
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2024-91, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2024-91, 2024
Preprint under review for ESSD
Short summary
Short summary
The energy reaching the Earth’s surface from the sun is a quantity of high importance for the climate system and for many applications. SARAH-3 is a satellite-based climate data record of surface solar radiation parameters. It is generated and distributed by the EUMETSAT Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM SAF). SARAH-3 covers more than 4 decades, provides a high spatial and temporal resolution and its validation shows a good accuracy and stability.
Karl-Göran Karlsson, Martin Stengel, Jan Fokke Meirink, Aku Riihelä, Jörg Trentmann, Tom Akkermans, Diana Stein, Abhay Devasthale, Salomon Eliasson, Erik Johansson, Nina Håkansson, Irina Solodovnik, Nikos Benas, Nicolas Clerbaux, Nathalie Selbach, Marc Schröder, and Rainer Hollmann
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 4901–4926, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-4901-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-4901-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents a global climate data record on cloud parameters, radiation at the surface and at the top of atmosphere, and surface albedo. The temporal coverage is 1979–2020 (42 years) and the data record is also continuously updated until present time. Thus, more than four decades of climate parameters are provided. Based on CLARA-A3, studies on distribution of clouds and radiation parameters can be made and, especially, investigations of climate trends and evaluation of climate models.
Hadrien Verbois, Yves-Marie Saint-Drenan, Vadim Becquet, Benoit Gschwind, and Philippe Blanc
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 4165–4181, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4165-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4165-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Solar surface irradiance (SSI) estimations inferred from satellite images are essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the solar resource, which is crucial in many fields. This study examines the recent data-driven methods for inferring SSI from satellite images and explores their strengths and weaknesses. The results suggest that while these methods show great promise, they sometimes dramatically underperform and should probably be used in conjunction with physical approaches.
William Wandji Nyamsi, Yves-Marie Saint-Drenan, Antti Arola, and Lucien Wald
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2001–2036, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2001-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2001-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The McClear service provides estimates of surface solar irradiances in cloud-free conditions. By comparing McClear estimates to 1 min measurements performed in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Maldives Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, McClear accurately estimates global irradiance and tends to overestimate direct irrradiance. This work establishes a general overview of the performance of the McClear service.
Vera Thiemig, Goncalo N. Gomes, Jon O. Skøien, Markus Ziese, Armin Rauthe-Schöch, Elke Rustemeier, Kira Rehfeldt, Jakub P. Walawender, Christine Kolbe, Damien Pichon, Christoph Schweim, and Peter Salamon
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3249–3272, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3249-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3249-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
EMO-5 is a free and open European high-resolution (5 km), sub-daily, multi-variable (precipitation, temperatures, wind speed, solar radiation, vapour pressure), multi-decadal meteorological dataset based on quality-controlled observations coming from almost 30 000 stations across Europe, and is produced in near real-time. EMO-5 (v1) covers the time period from 1990 to 2019. In this paper, we have provided insight into the source data, the applied methods, and the quality assessment of EMO-5.
Benoît Tournadre, Benoît Gschwind, Yves-Marie Saint-Drenan, Xuemei Chen, Rodrigo Amaro E Silva, and Philippe Blanc
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 3683–3704, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3683-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-3683-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Solar radiation received by the Earth's surface is valuable information for various fields like the photovoltaic industry or climate research. Pictures taken from satellites can be used to estimate the solar radiation from cloud reflectivity. Two issues for a good estimation are different instrumentations and orbits. We modify a widely used method that is today only used on geostationary satellites, so it can be applied on instruments on different orbits and with different sensitivities.
Gilles Reverdin, Claire Waelbroeck, Catherine Pierre, Camille Akhoudas, Giovanni Aloisi, Marion Benetti, Bernard Bourlès, Magnus Danielsen, Jérôme Demange, Denis Diverrès, Jean-Claude Gascard, Marie-Noëlle Houssais, Hervé Le Goff, Pascale Lherminier, Claire Lo Monaco, Herlé Mercier, Nicolas Metzl, Simon Morisset, Aïcha Naamar, Thierry Reynaud, Jean-Baptiste Sallée, Virginie Thierry, Susan E. Hartman, Edward W. Mawji, Solveig Olafsdottir, Torsten Kanzow, Anton Velo, Antje Voelker, Igor Yashayaev, F. Alexander Haumann, Melanie J. Leng, Carol Arrowsmith, and Michael Meredith
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 2721–2735, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-2721-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-2721-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The CISE-LOCEAN seawater stable isotope dataset has close to 8000 data entries. The δ18O and δD isotopic data measured at LOCEAN have uncertainties of at most 0.05 ‰ and 0.25 ‰, respectively. Some data were adjusted to correct for evaporation. The internal consistency indicates that the data can be used to investigate time and space variability to within 0.03 ‰ and 0.15 ‰ in δ18O–δD17; comparisons with data analyzed in other institutions suggest larger differences with other datasets.
Ramilla Vieira Assunção, Anne Lebourges-Dhaussy, Alex Costa da Silva, Bernard Bourlès, Gary Vargas, Gildas Roudaut, and Arnaud Bertrand
Ocean Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/os-2021-101, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-2021-101, 2021
Publication in OS not foreseen
Short summary
Short summary
Active acoustics has been used to characterize physical structures and processes in the ocean, typically attributed to biological dispersion or turbulent structures. We take advantage of acoustic data from the Southwest Atlantic to test the feasibility of this approach in an oligotrophic region. The results show that the thermohaline structure impacts the vertical distribution of acoustic scatterers, however the methods tested did not allow a robust estimate of the thermohaline limits.
Ina Neher, Susanne Crewell, Stefanie Meilinger, Uwe Pfeifroth, and Jörg Trentmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 12871–12888, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12871-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12871-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Photovoltaic power is one current option to meet the rising energy demand with low environmental impact. Global horizontal irradiance (GHI) is the fuel for photovoltaic power installations and needs to be evaluated to plan and dimension power plants. In this study, 35 years of satellite-based GHI data are analyzed over West Africa to determine their impact on photovoltaic power generation. The major challenges for the development of a solar-based power system in West Africa are then outlined.
Mathilde Marchand, Yves-Marie Saint-Drenan, Laurent Saboret, Etienne Wey, and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 17, 143–152, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-17-143-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-17-143-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The present work deals with the spatial consistency of two well-known databases of solar radiation received at ground level: the CAMS Radiation Service database version 3.2, abbreviated as CAMS-Rad and the HelioClim-3 database version 5, abbreviated as HC3v5. Both databases are derived from satellite images. For both databases, there is no noticeable spatial trend in the standard deviation.
Marie-Hélène Radenac, Julien Jouanno, Christine Carine Tchamabi, Mesmin Awo, Bernard Bourlès, Sabine Arnault, and Olivier Aumont
Biogeosciences, 17, 529–545, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-529-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-529-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Satellite data and a remarkable set of in situ measurements show a main bloom of microscopic seaweed, the phytoplankton, in summer and a secondary bloom in December in the central equatorial Atlantic. They are driven by a strong vertical supply of nitrate in May–July and a shorter and moderate supply in November. In between, transport of low-nitrate water from the west explains most nitrate losses in the sunlit layer. Horizontal eddy-induced processes also contribute to seasonal nitrate removal.
Claire Thomas, Stephen Dorling, William Wandji Nyamsi, Lucien Wald, Stéphane Rubino, Laurent Saboret, Mélodie Trolliet, and Etienne Wey
Adv. Sci. Res., 16, 229–240, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-16-229-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-16-229-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Solar radiation is the second main important factors for plant growth after temperature. More precisely, PAR, which stands for Photosynthetically Active Radiation, is the portion of the solar spectrum that is efficient for photosynthesis. Due to the scarcity of ground measurements, researchers have developed methods to estimate this variable from satellite imagery. This paper compares several methods to assess satellite-derived PAR against measurements in the UK and in France.
Frank Kaspar, Michael Borsche, Uwe Pfeifroth, Jörg Trentmann, Jaqueline Drücke, and Paul Becker
Adv. Sci. Res., 16, 119–128, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-16-119-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-16-119-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we assess balancing effects between photovoltaics and wind energy. On average, the seasonal cycles complement each other in Germany as well as in Europe. The frequency of events with a risk of low electricity generation is analyzed. The results illustrate that the number of such events is reduced when offshore regions are included, or when a combined system of PV and wind energy is considered. A European-wide analysis also leads to a distinct reduction of such events.
Mathilde Marchand, Mireille Lefèvre, Laurent Saboret, Etienne Wey, and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 16, 103–111, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-16-103-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-16-103-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The present work deals with two well-known databases of hourly mean of solar irradiance that are derived from satellite imagery. The spatial consistency of the uncertainties of these databases is verified against measurements performed within a dense network of ground stations in The Netherlands from the Royal Meteorological Institute KNMI for the period 2014–2017.
The obtained results are presented for both databases. And a discussion is proposed.
Maxence Descheemaecker, Matthieu Plu, Virginie Marécal, Marine Claeyman, Francis Olivier, Youva Aoun, Philippe Blanc, Lucien Wald, Jonathan Guth, Bojan Sič, Jérôme Vidot, Andrea Piacentini, and Béatrice Josse
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 1251–1275, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1251-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1251-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The future Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) on board MeteoSat Third Generation is expected to improve the detection and the quantification of aerosols. The study assesses the potential of FCI/VIS04 channel for monitoring air pollution in Europe. An observing system simulation experiment in MOCAGE is developed, and they show a large positive impact of the assimilation over a 4-month period and particularly during a severe pollution episode. The added value of geostationary data is also assessed.
Gaëlle Herbert and Bernard Bourlès
Ocean Sci., 14, 849–869, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-849-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-14-849-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The impact of boreal spring intraseasonal wind bursts on sea surface temperature variability in the eastern tropical Atlantic in 2005 and 2006 is investigated. The cooling events induced by southerly wind bursts are modulated by local and remote forcing. A particularly strong wind event and a strong cooling occurred in mid-May 2005. It appears as a decisive event in the West African monsoon onset. This study emphasizes the need to further document and monitor the South Atlantic region.
Alberto Troccoli, Clare Goodess, Phil Jones, Lesley Penny, Steve Dorling, Colin Harpham, Laurent Dubus, Sylvie Parey, Sandra Claudel, Duc-Huy Khong, Philip E. Bett, Hazel Thornton, Thierry Ranchin, Lucien Wald, Yves-Marie Saint-Drenan, Matteo De Felice, David Brayshaw, Emma Suckling, Barbara Percy, and Jon Blower
Adv. Sci. Res., 15, 191–205, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-191-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-191-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The European Climatic Energy Mixes, an EU Copernicus Climate Change Service project, has produced, in close collaboration with prospective users, a proof-of-concept climate service, or Demonstrator, designed to enable the energy industry assess how well different energy supply mixes in Europe will meet demand, over different time horizons (from seasonal to long-term decadal planning), focusing on the role climate has on the mixes. Its concept, methodology and some results are presented here.
Mélodie Trolliet and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 15, 127–136, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-127-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-127-2018, 2018
Yves-Marie Saint-Drenan, Lucien Wald, Thierry Ranchin, Laurent Dubus, and Alberto Troccoli
Adv. Sci. Res., 15, 51–62, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-51-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-51-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Our approach allows estimating the total photovoltaic (PV) power generation in different European countries from meteorological data. It is aimed at being easy to implement since it does not require any plant information or prior knowledge on the installed PV plants.
Marie Opálková, Martin Navrátil, Vladimír Špunda, Philippe Blanc, and Lucien Wald
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 10, 837–846, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-837-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-837-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Files with irradiances of a few spectral regions of incident solar radiation and some meteorological variables including concentrations of some air pollutants measured for 2.5 years at 3 stations in Ostrava (CZ) were prepared. Special attention was given to the data quality and the process of quality check was described. This database offers an ensemble of data with high temporal resolution and creates a source on radiation in relation with environment and vegetation in polluted areas of cities.
Uwe Pfeifroth, Jedrzej S. Bojanowski, Nicolas Clerbaux, Veronica Manara, Arturo Sanchez-Lorenzo, Jörg Trentmann, Jakub P. Walawender, and Rainer Hollmann
Adv. Sci. Res., 15, 31–37, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-31-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-31-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Measuring solar radiation and analysing its interaction with clouds are essential for the understanding of the climate system. Trends in EUMETSAT CM SAF satellite-based climate data records of solar radiation and clouds are analysed during 1992–2015 in Europe. More surface solar radiation and less top-of-atmosphere reflected radiation and cloud cover is found. This study indicates that one of the main reasons for the positive trend in surface solar radiation is a decrease in cloud cover.
Mathilde Marchand, Abdellatif Ghennioui, Etienne Wey, and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 15, 21–29, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-21-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-21-2018, 2018
Pascal Kuhn, Stefan Wilbert, Christoph Prahl, Dominik Garsche, David Schüler, Thomas Haase, Lourdes Ramirez, Luis Zarzalejo, Angela Meyer, Philippe Blanc, and Robert Pitz-Paal
Adv. Sci. Res., 15, 11–14, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-11-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-15-11-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Downward-facing shadow cameras might play a major role in future energy meteorology. Shadow cameras image shadows directly on the ground from an elevated position. They are used to validate other systems (e.g. all-sky imager based nowcasting systems, cloud speed sensors or satellite forecasts) and can potentially provide short term forecasts for solar power plants. Such forecasts are needed for electricity grids with high penetrations of renewable energy and solar power plants.
Marc Bengulescu, Philippe Blanc, and Lucien Wald
Nonlin. Processes Geophys., 25, 19–37, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-25-19-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-25-19-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We employ the Hilbert–Huang transform to study the temporal variability in time series of daily means of the surface solar irradiance (SSI) at different locations around the world. The data have a significant spectral peak corresponding to the yearly variability cycle and feature quasi-stochastic high-frequency "weather noise", irrespective of the geographical location or of the local climate. Our findings can improve models for estimating SSI from satellite images or forecasts of the SSI.
Philippe Blanc, Benoit Gschwind, Lionel Ménard, and Lucien Wald
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2017-141, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2017-141, 2018
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
The construction of worldwide maps of surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) parameters is presented. The original data stems from the NASA which is making available maps of BRDF parameters from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument. The original data has been averaged for each month for the period 2004–2011 and a spatial completion of data was performed. The dataset in NetCDF is referenced by doi:10.23646/85d2cd5f-ccaa-482e-a4c9-b6e0c59d966c.
William Wandji Nyamsi, Phillipe Blanc, John A. Augustine, Antti Arola, and Lucien Wald
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2017-512, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2017-512, 2018
Manuscript not accepted for further review
Short summary
Short summary
This paper proposes a new, fast and accurate method for estimating photosynthetically active radiation at ground level in cloud-free conditions at any place and time. The method performs very well with the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service products as inputs describing the state of the atmosphere. An accuracy that is close to the uncertainty of the measurements themselves is reached. We believe that our research will be widely used in the near future.
William Wandji Nyamsi, Mikko R. A. Pitkänen, Youva Aoun, Philippe Blanc, Anu Heikkilä, Kaisa Lakkala, Germar Bernhard, Tapani Koskela, Anders V. Lindfors, Antti Arola, and Lucien Wald
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 4965–4978, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4965-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4965-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
This paper proposes a new, fast and accurate method for estimating UV fluxes at ground level in cloud-free conditions at any place and time. The method performs very well with the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service products as inputs describing the state of the atmosphere. An accuracy that is close to the uncertainty of the measurements themselves is reached. We believe that our research will be widely used in the near future.
Sandrine Djakouré, Moacyr Araujo, Aubains Hounsou-Gbo, Carlos Noriega, and Bernard Bourlès
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2017-346, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2017-346, 2017
Revised manuscript has not been submitted
Philip D. Jones, Colin Harpham, Alberto Troccoli, Benoit Gschwind, Thierry Ranchin, Lucien Wald, Clare M. Goodess, and Stephen Dorling
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 9, 471–495, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-471-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-471-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The construction of a bias-adjusted dataset of climate variables at the near surface using ERA-Interim reanalysis is presented. The variables are air temperature, dewpoint temperature, precipitation (daily only), solar radiation, wind speed, and relative humidity.The resulting bias-adjusted dataset is available through the Climate Data Store (CDS) of the Copernicus Climate Change Data Store (C3S), and can be accessed at present from ftp://ecem.climate.copernicus.eu.
Karl-Göran Karlsson, Kati Anttila, Jörg Trentmann, Martin Stengel, Jan Fokke Meirink, Abhay Devasthale, Timo Hanschmann, Steffen Kothe, Emmihenna Jääskeläinen, Joseph Sedlar, Nikos Benas, Gerd-Jan van Zadelhoff, Cornelia Schlundt, Diana Stein, Stefan Finkensieper, Nina Håkansson, and Rainer Hollmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 5809–5828, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-5809-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-5809-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The paper presents the second version of a global climate data record based on satellite measurements from polar orbiting weather satellites. It describes the global evolution of cloudiness, surface albedo and surface radiation during the time period 1982–2015. The main improvements of algorithms are described together with some validation results. In addition, some early analysis is presented of some particularly interesting climate features (Arctic albedo and cloudiness + global cloudiness).
Marc Bengulescu, Philippe Blanc, Alexandre Boilley, and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 14, 35–48, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-14-35-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-14-35-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the characteristic time-scales of variability found in long-term time-series of daily means of surface solar irradiance (SSI). Estimates of SSI from satellite-derived HelioClim-3 and radiation products from ERA-Interim and MERRA-2 re-analyses are compared to WRDC measurements. It is found that HelioClim-3 renders a more accurate picture of the variability found in ground measurements, not only globally, but also with respect to individual characteristic time-scales.
Mathilde Marchand, Nasser Al-Azri, Armel Ombe-Ndeffotsing, Etienne Wey, and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 14, 7–15, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-14-7-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-14-7-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The solar hourly irradiation received at ground level estimated by the databases HelioClim-3v4, HelioClim-3v5 and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) Radiation Service are compared to measurements made in stations in Oman and Abu Dhabi. The correlation coefficients are greater than 0.97. The relative bias is less than 5%. Each database captures accurately the temporal and spatial variability of the irradiance field. The three databases are reliable sources to assess solar radiation.
Claire Thomas, Laurent Saboret, Etienne Wey, Philippe Blanc, and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 13, 129–136, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-129-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-129-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
HelioClim-3 (version 4) is a satellite-derived solar surface irradiance database available at d-1 until 2015. To fulfill the requirements of numerous users, a new service based on the principle of persistence has been developed; it provides solar data in real time and forecasts until the end of the current day. The service exhibits good performances for 15 min and 1 h ahead forecasts, and degrades as the temporal horizon increases. Several customers have so far purchased this service.
Marc Bengulescu, Philippe Blanc, and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 13, 121–127, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-121-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-121-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The continuous wavelet (CWT) and the Hilbert–Huang transforms (HHT) are compared for the analysis of the temporal variability on ten years of daily means of the surface solar irradiance. In both cases, the variability exhibits a plateau between scales of two days and three months that has decreasing power with increasing scale, a spectral peak corresponding to the annual cycle, and a low power regime in-between. The HHT is shown to be suitable for inspecting the variability of the measurements.
Claire Thomas, Etienne Wey, Philippe Blanc, and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 13, 81–86, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-81-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-81-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Several satellite-derived solar surface irradiance databases provide long-term and homogeneously distributed information on the solar potential at ground level. This paper presents the validation results of three of these databases: HelioClim-3 (versions 4 and 5) and the CAMS radiation service, versus the measurements of 42 stations in Brazil. Despite a slight overestimation of the CAMS radiation service, the three databases are suitable for studies of the solar resources in Brazil.
Mireille Lefèvre and Lucien Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 13, 21–26, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-21-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-21-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The new CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) McClear service is a practical easy-to-use tool to estimate the solar direct and global irradiances received at ground level in cloud-free conditions at any place any time. This article presents validation against 1 min measurements made at three very close stations in Israel in desert conditions. The good results demonstrate the accuracy of McClear and its ability to capture the temporal and spatial variability of the irradiance field.
Mohamed Korany, Mohamed Boraiy, Yehia Eissa, Youva Aoun, Magdy M. Abdel Wahab, Stéphane C. Alfaro, Philippe Blanc, Mossad El-Metwally, Hosni Ghedira, Katja Hungershoefer, and Lucien Wald
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 8, 105–113, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-8-105-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-8-105-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
A database of global and diffuse components of the surface solar hourly irradiation measured from 2004 to 2010 at eight Egyptian meteorological stations is presented. At three sites, the direct component is also available. In addition, a series of meteorological variables is provided at the same hourly resolution. The measurements and quality checks applied to the data are detailed. Finally, 13500 to 29000 measurements of global and diffuse hourly irradiation are available at each site.
P. Blanc and L. Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 13, 1–6, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-1-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-1-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Time series of hourly measurements or modelled values of surface solar irradiation are increasingly available. Currently, no solar zenith and azimuth angles are associated to each measurement whereas such angles are necessary for handling the measured or modelled irradiations. A method is proposed to assess such angles with a great accuracy. It makes use of two modelled time-series that can be computed using the web site www.soda-pro.com for any site in the world.
Y. Eissa, P. Blanc, L. Wald, and H. Ghedira
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 5099–5112, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-5099-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-5099-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates whether the spectral aerosol optical properties of the AERONET stations are sufficient for an accurate modelling of the monochromatic beam and circumsolar irradiances under cloud-free conditions in a desert environment. By comparing the modelled irradiances against reference ground measurements, the monochromatic beam and circumsolar irradiances may very well be modelled using a set of inputs extracted from the AERONET data.
D. Chang, Y. Cheng, P. Reutter, J. Trentmann, S. M. Burrows, P. Spichtinger, S. Nordmann, M. O. Andreae, U. Pöschl, and H. Su
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 10325–10348, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-10325-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-10325-2015, 2015
W. Wandji Nyamsi, A. Arola, P. Blanc, A. V. Lindfors, V. Cesnulyte, M. R. A. Pitkänen, and L. Wald
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7449–7456, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7449-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7449-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
A novel model of the absorption of radiation by ozone in the UV bands [283, 307]nm and [307, 328]nm yields improvements in the modeling of the transmissivity in these bands. This model is faster than detailed spectral calculations and is as accurate with maximum errors of respectively 0.0006 and 0.0143. How to practically implement this new parameterization in a radiative transfer model is discussed for the case of libRadtran.
W. Wandji Nyamsi, B. Espinar, P. Blanc, and L. Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 12, 5–10, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-12-5-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-12-5-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
We propose an innovative method to estimate the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) under clear sky conditions derived from the fast approach of Kato et al. (1999). It provides very good results better than the two state-of-the-art empirical methods computing the daily mean of PAR from the daily mean of total irradiance. In addition, this technique may be extended to be able to accurately estimate other spectral quantities taking into account absorption of plants photosynthetic pigments.
P. Blanc, C. Coulaud, and L. Wald
Adv. Sci. Res., 12, 1–4, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-12-1-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-12-1-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
New Caledonia experiences a decrease in surface solar irradiation since 2004, of order of 4% of the mean yearly irradiation, and amounts to 9 W m 2. The preeminent roles of the changes in cloud cover and to a lesser extent, those in aerosol optical depth on the decrease in yearly irradiation are evidenced. The study highlights the role of data sets offering a worldwide coverage in understanding changes in solar radiation and planning large solar energy plants.
J. Badosa, J. Wood, P. Blanc, C. N. Long, L. Vuilleumier, D. Demengel, and M. Haeffelin
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 4267–4283, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-4267-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-4267-2014, 2014
Z. Qu, B. Gschwind, M. Lefevre, and L. Wald
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 3927–3933, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-3927-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-3927-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
The HelioClim-3 database (HC3v3) provides records of surface solar irradiation every 15 min estimated by processing images from the geostationary meteorological Meteosat satellites using climatological data sets of atmospheric properties. A method is proposed to improve a posteriori HC3v3 by combining it with data records of advanced global aerosol property forecasts and physically consistent total column content in water vapour and ozone produced by the MACC projects.
A. Oumbe, Z. Qu, P. Blanc, M. Lefèvre, L. Wald, and S. Cros
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 1661–1669, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-1661-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-1661-2014, 2014
P. Reutter, J. Trentmann, A. Seifert, P. Neis, H. Su, D. Chang, M. Herzog, H. Wernli, M. O. Andreae, and U. Pöschl
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 7573–7583, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-7573-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-7573-2014, 2014
M. Lefèvre, A. Oumbe, P. Blanc, B. Espinar, B. Gschwind, Z. Qu, L. Wald, M. Schroedter-Homscheidt, C. Hoyer-Klick, A. Arola, A. Benedetti, J. W. Kaiser, and J.-J. Morcrette
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 2403–2418, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-2403-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-2403-2013, 2013
K.-G. Karlsson, A. Riihelä, R. Müller, J. F. Meirink, J. Sedlar, M. Stengel, M. Lockhoff, J. Trentmann, F. Kaspar, R. Hollmann, and E. Wolters
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 5351–5367, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-5351-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-5351-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Approach: Remote Sensing | Depth range: Surface | Geographical range: All Geographic Regions | Phenomena: Air-Sea Fluxes
Wind variability in the Canary Current during the last 70 years
Characterizing ERA-Interim and ERA5 surface wind biases using ASCAT
Nerea Marrero-Betancort, Javier Marcello, Dionisio Rodríguez Esparragón, and Santiago Hernández-León
Ocean Sci., 16, 951–963, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-951-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-16-951-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed changes in wind patterns during the last 70 years (1948–2017) in the Canary Current area, located in one of the major upwelling regions in the world, using monthly NCEP wind data. Results demonstrate that trade winds were quite stable in direction but suffered a significant net decrease of
1 m s−1 in intensity. We also found significant correlations between the NAO index and the wind direction and intensity, specifically in winter, and between the AMO index and the wind direction.
Maria Belmonte Rivas and Ad Stoffelen
Ocean Sci., 15, 831–852, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-831-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-15-831-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes the differences between ocean surface winds provided by ERA reanalyses and satellite scatterometer observations. This work is motivated by the widespread use of reanalysis winds for ocean forcing in marine forecasting centers and the application of observations to characterize reanalysis wind errors, which we conjecture are related to deficiencies in the physics of the underlying assimilating model (insufficient wind variability at high spatial and temporal frequencies).
Cited articles
Bengulescu, M., Blanc, P., Boilley, A., and Wald, L.: Do modelled or satellite-based estimates of surface solar irradiance accurately describe its temporal variability?, Adv. Sci. Res., 14, 35–48, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-14-35-2017, 2017.
Blanc, P. and Wald, L.: The SG2 algorithm for a fast and accurate computation of the position of the Sun, Sol. Energy, 86, 3072–3083, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2012.07.018, 2012.
Boilley, A. and Wald, L.: Comparison between meteorological re-analyses from ERA-Interim and MERRA and measurements of daily solar irradiation at surface, Renew. Energ., 75, 135–143, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.09.042, 2015.
Bourlès, B., Lumpkin, R., McPhaden, M. J., Hernandez, F., Nobre, P., Campos, E., Yu, L., Planton, S., Busalacchi, A., Moura, A. D., Servain, J., and Trotte, J.: The Pirata Program: History, accomplishments, and future directions, B. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 89, 1111–1125, https://doi.org/10.1175/2008BAMS2462.1, 2008.
Budyko, M. I.: The effect of solar radiation variations on the climate of the Earth, Tellus, 21, 611–619, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2153-3490.1969.tb00466.x, 1969.
Ceamanos, X., Carrer, D., and Roujean, J.-L.: Improved retrieval of direct and diffuse downwelling surface shortwave flux in cloudless atmosphere using dynamic estimates of aerosol content and type: application to the LSA-SAF project, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 8209–8232, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-8209-2014, 2014.
Cros, S., Mayer, D., and Wald, L.: The availability of irradiation data. Report IEA-PVPS T2-04: 2004, International Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 29 pp., 2004.
Dev, S., Manandhar, S., Lee, Y. H., and Winkler, S.: Study of clear sky models for Singapore, Proc. Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS), 19–22 November 2017, Singapoure, 2017.
Doddy, E., Sweeney, C., and McDermott, F.: An investigation of systematic errors in solar radiation from reanalysis datasets, EMS Annual Meeting 2017, Dublin, Ireland, 4–8 September 2017, Abstract EMS2017-675, 2017.
Eissa, Y., Munawwar, S., Oumbe, A., Blanc, P., Ghedira, H., Wald, L., Bru, H., and Goffe, D.: Validating surface downwelling solar irradiances estimated by the McClear model under cloud-free skies in the United Arab Emirates, Sol. Energy, 114, 17–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2015.01.017, 2015a.
Eissa, Y., Korany, M., Aoun, Y., Boraiy, M., Wahab, M. A., Alfaro, S., Blanc, P., El-Metwally, M., Ghedira, H., and Wald, L.: Validation of the surface downwelling solar irradiance estimates of the HelioClim-3 database in Egypt, Remote Sens. Basel, 7, 9269–9291, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs70709269, 2015b.
Foltz, G. R., Evan, A. T., Freitag, H. P., Brown, S., and McPhaden, M. J.: Dust accumulation biases in PIRATA shortwave radiation records, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 30, 1414–1432, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-12-00169.1, 2013.
Gelaro, R., McCarty, W., Suárez, M. J., Todling, R., Molod, A., Takacs, L., Randles, C. A., Darmenov, A., Bosilovich, M. G., Reichle, R., Wargan, K., Coy, L., Cullather, R., Draper, C., Akella, S., Buchard, V., Conaty, A., da Silva, A. M., Gu, W., Kim, G., Koster, R., Lucchesi, R., Merkova, D., Nielsen, J. E., Partyka, G., Pawson, S., Putman, W., Rienecker, M., Schubert, S. D., Sienkiewicz, M., and Zhao, B.: The modern-era retrospective analysis for research and applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2), J. Climate, 30, 5419–5454, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0758.1, 2017.
Gschwind, B., Ménard, L., Albuisson, M., and Wald, L.: Converting a successful research project into a sustainable service: the case of the SoDa Web service, Environ. Modell. Softw., 21, 1555–1561, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2006.05.002, 2006.
Hersbach, H. and Dee, D.: ERA5 reanalysis is in production, ECMWF Newsletter No. 147, p. 7, 2016.
ISO standard: ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, 1st Edn., International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1995.
Ineichen, P.: Validation of models that estimate the clear sky global and beam solar irradiance, Sol. Energy, 132, 332–344, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.03.017, 2016.
Jones, P. D., Harpham, C., Troccoli, A., Gschwind, B., Ranchin, T., Wald, L., Goodess, C. M., and Dorling, S.: Using ERA-Interim reanalysis for creating datasets of energy-relevant climate variables, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 9, 471–495, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-471-2017, 2017.
Kang, S. and Ahn, J. B.: Global energy and water balances in the latest reanalyses, Asia Pac. J. Atmos. Sci., 51, 293–302, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13143-015-0079-0, 2015.
Katsaros, K. B. and DeVault, J. E.: On irradiance measurement errors at sea due to tilt of pyranometers, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 3, 740–745, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1986)003<0740:OIMEAS>2.0.CO;2, 1986.
Kobayashi, S., Ota, Y., Harada, Y., Ebita, A., Moriya, M., Onoda, H., Onogi, K., Kamahori, H., Kobayashi, C., Endo, H., Miyaoka, K., and Takahashi, K.: The JRA-55 Reanalysis: General specifications and basic characteristics, J. Meteorol. Soc. Jpn., 93, 5–48, https://doi.org/10.2151/jmsj.2015-001, 2015.
Korany, M., Boraiy, M., Eissa, Y., Aoun, Y., Abdel Wahab, M. M., Alfaro, S. C., Blanc, P., El-Metwally, M., Ghedira, H., Hungershoefer, K., and Wald, L.: A database of multi-year (2004–2010) quality-assured surface solar hourly irradiation measurements for the Egyptian territory, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 8, 105–113, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-8-105-2016, 2016.
Koster, R. (Ed.): Technical Report Series on Global Modeling and Data Assimilation, Vol. 43, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 139 pp., 2015.
Lean, J. and Rind, D.: Climate forcing by changing solar radiation, J. Climate, 11, 3069–3094, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1998)011<3069:CFBCSR>2.0.CO;2, 1998.
Lefèvre, M. and Wald, L.: Validation of the McClear clear-sky model in desert conditions with three stations in Israel, Adv. Sci. Res., 13, 21–26, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-21-2016, 2016.
Lefèvre, M., Diabaté, L., and Wald, L.: Using reduced data sets ISCCP-B2 from the Meteosat satellites to assess surface solar irradiance, Sol. Energy, 81, 240–253, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2006.03.008, 2007.
Lefèvre, M., Oumbe, A., Blanc, P., Espinar, B., Gschwind, B., Qu, Z., Wald, L., Schroedter-Homscheidt, M., Hoyer-Klick, C., Arola, A., Benedetti, A., Kaiser, J. W., and Morcrette, J.-J.: McClear: a new model estimating downwelling solar radiation at ground level in clear-sky conditions, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 2403–2418, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-2403-2013, 2013.
Lefèvre, M., Blanc, P., Espinar, B., Gschwind, B., Ménard, L., Ranchin, T., Wald, L., Saboret, L., Thomas, C., and Wey, E.: The HelioClim-1 database of daily solar radiation at Earth surface: an example of the benefits of GEOSS Data-CORE, IEEE J.-Stars, 7, 1745–1753, https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTARS.2013.2283791, 2014.
Liu, C., Allan, R. P., Mayer, M., Hyder, P., Loeb, N. G., Roberts, C. D., Valdivieso, M., Edwards, J. M., and Vidale, P.-L.: Evaluation of satellite and reanalysis based global net surface energy flux and uncertainty estimates, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 122, 6250–6272, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD026616, 2017.
Long, C. N., Bucholtz, A., Jonsson, H., Schmid, B., Vogelmann, A., and Wood, J.: A method of correcting for tilt from horizontal in downwelling shortwave irradiance measurements on moving platforms, The Open Atmospheric Science Journal, 4, 78–87, https://doi.org/10.2174/1874282301004010078, 2010.
MacWhorter, M. A. and Weller, R. A.: Error in measurements of incoming shortwave radiation made from ships and buoys, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 8, 108–117, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1991)008<0108:EIMOIS>2.0.CO;2, 1991.
Manabe, S.: Climate and the ocean circulation, Mon. Weather Rev., 97, 739–774, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1969)097<0739:CATOC>2.3.CO;2, 1969.
Marchand, M., Al-Azri, N., Ombe-Ndeffotsing, A., Wey, E., and Wald, L.: Evaluating meso-scale change in performance of several databases of hourly surface irradiation in South-eastern Arabic Pensinsula, Adv. Sci. Res., 14, 7–15, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-14-7-2017, 2017.
Müller, R., Pfeifroth, U., Traeger-Chatterjee, C., Trentmann, J., and Cremer, R.: Digging the METEOSAT treasure-3 decades of solar surface radiation, Remote Sens. Basel, 7, 8067–8101, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs70608067, 2015.
Muneer, T. and Fairooz, F.: Quality control of solar radiation and sunshine measurements – lessons learnt from processing worldwide databases, Build Serv. Eng. Res. T., 23, 151–166, https://doi.org/10.1191/0143624402bt038oa, 2002.
Pfeifroth, U., Kothe, S., Müller, R., Trentmann, J., Hollmann, R., Fuchs, P., and Werscheck M.: Surface Radiation Data Set – Heliosat (SARAH) – Edition 2. Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring, https://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/SARAH/V002, 2017.
Pfeifroth, U., Sanchez-Lorenzo, A., Manara, V., Trentmann, J., and Hollmann, R.: Trends and variability of surface solar radiation in Europe based on surface- and satellite-based data records, J. Geophys. Res., 123, 1735–1754, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JD027418, 2018.
Qu, Z., Gschwind, B., Lefevre, M., and Wald, L.: Improving HelioClim-3 estimates of surface solar irradiance using the McClear clear-sky model and recent advances in atmosphere composition, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 3927–3933, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-3927-2014, 2014.
Qu, Z., Oumbe, A., Blanc, P., Espinar, B., Gesell, G., Gschwind, B., Klüser, L., Lefèvre, M., Saboret, L., Schroedter-Homscheidt, M., and Wald, L.: Fast radiative transfer parameterisation for assessing the surface solar irradiance: The Heliosat-4 method, Meteorol. Z., 26, 33–57, https://doi.org/10.1127/metz/2016/0781, 2017.
Reynolds, R. M.: Correcting global shortwave irradiance measurements for platform tilt, Internal Report, RMR Company, available at: www.rmrco.com/docs/m0703_psp_lowlevel_correction.pdf (last access: 28 July 2017), 2007.
Rienecker, M. M., Suarez, M. J., Gelaro, R., Todling, R., Bacmeister, J., Liu, E., Bosilovich, M. G., Schubert, S. D., Takacs, L., Kim, G.-K., Bloom, S., Chen, J., Collins, D., Conaty, A., da Silva, A., Gu, W., Joiner, J., Koster, R. D., Lucchesi, R., Molod, A., Owens, T., Pawson, S., Pegion, P., Redder, C. R., Reichle, R., Robertson, F. R., Ruddick, A. G., Sienkiewicz, M., and Woollen, J.: MERRA: NASA's modern-era retrospective analysis for research and applications, J. Climate, 24, 3624–3648, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00015.1, 2011.
Rigollier, C., Lefèvre, M., and Wald, L.: The method Heliosat-2 for deriving shortwave solar radiation from satellite images, Sol. Energy, 77, 159–169, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2004.04.017, 2004.
Siegel, D. A., Ohlmann, J. C., Washburn, L., Bidigare, R. R., Nosse, C. T., Fields, E., and Zhou, Y.: Solar radiation, phytoplankton pigments and the radiant heating of the equatorial Pacific warm pool, J. Geophys. Res., 100, 4885–4891, https://doi.org/10.1029/94JC03128, 1995.
Thomas, C., Wey, E., Blanc, P., and Wald, L.: Validation of three satellite-derived databases of surface solar radiation using measurements performed at 42 stations in Brazil, Adv. Sci. Res., 13, 81–86, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-13-81-2016, 2016.
Urraca, R., Gracia-Amillo, A. M., Huld, T., Martinez-de-Pison, F. J., Trentmann, J., Lindfors, A. V., Riihelä, A., and Sanz-Garcia, A.: Quality control of global solar radiation data with satellite-based products, Sol. Energy, 158, 49–62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2017.09.032, 2017.
Wald, L.: Solar radiation energy (fundamentals), in: Solar Energy Conversion and Photoenergy Systems, edited by: Blanco, J. and Malato, S., in: Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the Auspices of the UNESCO, Eolss Publishers, Oxford, UK, available at: http://www.eolss.net (last access: 1 September 2018), 2007.
Wild, M.: Short-wave and long-wave surface radiation budgets in GCMs: a review based on the IPCC-AR4/CMIP3 models, Tellus A, 60, 932–945, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0870.2008.00342.x, 2008.
WMO: Guide to meteorological instruments and methods of observation, WMO-No 8, 2008 edition updated in 2010, World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2012.
Zhao, L., Lee, X., and Liu, S.: Correcting surface solar radiation of two data assimilation systems against FLUXNET observations in North America, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 118, 9552–9564, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50697, 2013.
Zhong, X. and Kleissl, J.: Clear sky irradiances using REST2 and MODIS, Sol. Energy, 116, 144–164, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2015.03.046, 2015.
