Accuracy of the Solar radiation tool

Question

Hello community,

for my master-thesis among other things I plan to work with the Solar radiation tool (10.3).

In the paper "A comparative analysis of DEM-based models to estimate the solar radiation in mountainous terrain - Ruiz-Arias et al (2009)" I saw that there is maybe a not satisfying accuracy of the tool. Solar irradiance was underestimated, especially on days with a low clearness-index.

Did anybody make experiences in this regard? Or was the tool revised since than maybe?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Andreas Rechenmacher

AndreasRechenmacher · Answer

Yes this is correct. 
The standard errors on the ArcGis model where quite high under some circumstances.

Thank you for the hint. The reference works are mostly from the year 2000 or younger so maybe Esri did some upgrades, who knows

AndreasRechenmacher · Answer

Thank you too for your help.

DanPatterson_Retired · Answer

Google some of the literature.  Since you are with an academic institution, you probably have free access to documents at your uni (ie Science Direct and the like) because of license agreements with journals and publisher.  Check it out and save yourself some cash...but you may have to go to school to get access...(the sacrifices you make 
 ).

At least one free publication with some references and a model for a particular application should get you started.

http://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/4/2/195/pdf

with the caveat that any model is only going to be as good as the parameterization of your atmospheric conditions.