Tool NamePotential Incoming Solar Radiation
Tool ID2
Library IDta_lighting
Version1.0
Author(s)O.Conrad (c) 2010

Description

Calculation of potential incoming solar radiation (insolation). Times of sunrise/sunset will only be calculated if time span is set to single day.
Most options should do well, but TAPES-G based diffuse irradiance calculation ('Atmospheric Effects' methods 2 and 3) needs further revision!

References

Böhner, J., Antonić, O. (2009): Land Surface Parameters Specific to Topo-Climatology. In: Hengl, T. & Reuter, H.I. [Eds.]: Geomorphometry - Concepts, Software, Applications.

Hofierka, J., Šúri, M. (2002): The solar radiation model for Open source GIS: implementation and applications. International GRASS users conference in Trento, Italy, September 2002. ResearchGate

Oke, T.R. (1988): Boundary Layer Climates. London, Taylor & Francis.

Wilson, J.P., Gallant, J.C. (2000): Secondary topographic attributes. In: Wilson, J.P., Gallant, J.C. [Eds.]: Terrain analysis: Principles and applications. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 87-131. ResearchGate


Parameters

NameTypeIdentifierDescriptionConstraints
Input
Elevationgrid, inputGRD_DEM
Sky View Factorgrid, input, optionalGRD_SVF
Water Vapour Pressure [mbar]grid, input, optionalGRD_VAPOUR
Linke Turbidity Coefficientgrid, input, optionalGRD_LINKE
Output
Direct Insolationgrid, outputGRD_DIRECT
Diffuse Insolationgrid, outputGRD_DIFFUS
Total Insolationgrid, output, optionalGRD_TOTAL
Direct to Diffuse Ratiogrid, output, optionalGRD_RATIO
Compare to Flat Terraingrid, output, optionalGRD_FLAT
Duration of Insolationgrid, output, optionalGRD_DURATION
Sunrisegrid, output, optionalGRD_SUNRISE
Sunsetgrid, output, optionalGRD_SUNSET
Options
Defaultfloating point numberGRD_VAPOUR_DEFAULTdefault value if no grid has been selectedMinimum: 0.000000
Default: 10.000000
Defaultfloating point numberGRD_LINKE_DEFAULTdefault value if no grid has been selectedMinimum: 0.000000
Default: 3.000000
Solar Constant [W/m²]floating point numberSOLARCONSTMinimum: 0.000000
Default: 1361.000000
Local Sky View FactorbooleanLOCALSVFUse sky view factor based on local slope (after Oke 1988), if no sky viev factor grid is given.Default: 1
UnitschoiceUNITSUnits for output radiation values.Available Choices:
[0] kWh/m²
[1] kJ/m²
[2] J/cm²
Default: 0
ShadowchoiceSHADOWChoose 'slim' to trace grid node's shadow, 'fat' to trace the whole cell's shadow, or ignore shadowing effects. The first is slightly faster but might show some artifacts.Available Choices:
[0] slim
[1] fat
[2] none
Default: 1
LocationchoiceLOCATIONAvailable Choices:
[0] constant latitude
[1] calculate from grid system
Default: 0
LatitudedegreeLATITUDEMinimum: -90.000000
Maximum: 90.000000
Default: 53.000000
Time PeriodchoicePERIODMomentum output will be in units of power [W/m²], time span will be in units of energy, either [kWh/m²], [kJ/m²], or [J/cm²].Available Choices:
[0] moment
[1] day
[2] range of days
Default: 1
DaydateDAYDefault: 2026-07-17
Last DaydateDAY_STOPDefault: 2026-07-17
Resolution [d]integer numberDAYS_STEPTime step size for a range of days calculation given in days.Minimum: 1
Default: 5
Moment [h]floating point numberMOMENTMinimum: 0.000000
Maximum: 24.000000
Default: 12.000000
Time Span [h]value rangeHOUR_RANGETime span used for the calculation of daily radiation sums.
Resolution [h]floating point numberHOUR_STEPTime step size for a day's calculation given in hours.Minimum: 0.000000
Maximum: 24.000000
Default: 0.500000
Atmospheric EffectschoiceMETHODAvailable Choices:
[0] Height of Atmosphere and Vapour Pressure
[1] Air Pressure, Water and Dust Content
[2] Lumped Atmospheric Transmittance
[3] Hofierka and Šúri
Default: 2
Height of Atmosphere [m]floating point numberATMOSPHEREMinimum: 0.000000
Default: 12000.000000
Barometric Pressure [mbar]floating point numberPRESSUREMinimum: 0.000000
Default: 1013.000000
Water Content [cm]floating point numberWATERWater content of a vertical slice of atmosphere in cm: 1.5 to 1.7, average=1.68Minimum: 0.000000
Default: 1.680000
Dust [ppm]floating point numberDUSTDust factor: 100 ppm (standard)Minimum: 0.000000
Default: 100.000000
Lumped Atmospheric Transmittance [Percent]floating point numberLUMPEDThe transmittance of the atmosphere, usually between 60 and 80 percent.Minimum: 0.000000
Maximum: 100.000000
Default: 70.000000