Colleagues,

Many years ago, Joe Ritchie suggested that satellite-derived estimates
of daily solar radiation would be more reliable than data from many
weather stations. At the time, Joe was checking the quality of various
weather datasets and finding substantial problems.

We have just completed an assessment of NASA/POWER solar data across the
US (295 stations) that supports Joe's proposal. Our lowest latitude was
about 25o (Homestead FL), but the NASA/POWER data provide global
coverage.

The article may be accessed at:

https://www.agronomy.org/publications/aj/new-articles

Evaluation of Satellite-Based, Modeled-Derived Daily Solar Radiation
Data for the Continental United States
Jeffrey W. White,* Gerrit Hoogenboom, Paul W. Wilkens, Paul W.
Stackhouse Jr., and James M. Hoel
Published in Agron. J. 103:1242-1251(2011)

 

If you want to see the article and can't access Agronomy Journal
articles, send me a request directly. PLEASE make sure it doesn't go to
the entire list.

 

The actual NASA/POWER data are at:

http://power.larc.nasa.gov/

If you actually use the data, Paul Stackhouse at NASA would appreciate
hearing about it. Continued support for these kids of data resources
depends on demonstrable use and impact.

 

Apologies for cross postings.

 

- Jeff White

 

Jeffrey W. White

USDA ARS, ALARC

21881 N Cardon Lane

Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA 

Tel: +1-520-316-6368

[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>