Progress Toward an Updated National Solar Radiation Data Base

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2005

OSTI ID:860686

Wilcox, S; Anderberg, M; George, R; Marion, W; Myers, D; Renne, D; Beckman, W; DeGaetano, A; Gueymard, C; Perez, R; Plantico, M; Stackhouse, P; Vignola, F

Progress is reported on an updated National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB). Focus on this year's work was on preparing a test-year database for evaluating several solar radiation models that could be used to replace the METSTAT model used in the original 1961-1990 NSRDB. That model is no longer compatible with cloud observations reported by the National Weather Service. We have also included a satellite-based model that will increase the spatial resolution of solar radiation for GIS or mapping applications. Work also included development of improved estimates for aerosols, water vapor, and ozone. High-quality solar measurements were obtained for 33 sites near National Weather Service stations, and model runs were completed for test years 1999 and 2000.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99GO10337
• OSTI ID: 860686
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-560-37032
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
14 SOLAR ENERGY
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AEROSOLS
CLOUDS
GASOLINE SERVICE STATIONS
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MAPPING APPLICATIONS
MEASUREMENTS
NATIONAL SOLAR RADIATION DATABASE (NSRDB)
OZONE
PV
SATELLITE-BASED MODEL
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR RADIATION
SOLAR RADIATION MODEL
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
Solar Energy - Radiation
WATER VAPOR
WEATHER