Calibration of GOES-derived solar radiation data using a distributed network of surface measurements in Florida, USA

By: , and 
Edited by: Roger W. Babcock Jr. and Raymond Walton

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Abstract

Solar radiation data are critically important for the estimation of evapotranspiration. Analysis of visible-channel data derived from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) using radiative transfer modeling has been used to produce spatially- and temporally-distributed datasets of solar radiation. An extensive network of (pyranometer) surface measurements of solar radiation in the State of Florida has allowed refined calibration of a GOES-derived daily integrated radiation data product. This refinement of radiation data allowed for corrections of satellite sensor drift, satellite generational change, and consideration of the highly-variable cloudy conditions that are typical of Florida. To aid in calibration of a GOES-derived radiation product, solar radiation data for the period 1995–2004 from 58 field stations that are located throughout the State were compiled. The GOES radiation product was calibrated by way of a three-step process: 1) comparison with ground-based pyranometer measurements on clear reference days, 2) correcting for a bias related to cloud cover, and 3) deriving month-by-month bias correction factors. Pre-calibration results indicated good model performance, with a station-averaged model error of 2.2 MJ m–2 day–1 (13 percent). Calibration reduced errors to 1.7 MJ m–2 day–1 (10 percent) and also removed time- and cloudiness-related biases. The final dataset has been used to produce Statewide evapotranspiration estimates.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Calibration of GOES-derived solar radiation data using a distributed network of surface measurements in Florida, USA
DOI 10.1061/40976(316)95
Year Published 2008
Language English
Publisher American Society of Civil Engineers
Contributing office(s) Florida Integrated Science Center
Description 10 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2008: Ahupua'A
First page 1
Last page 10
Conference Title 2008 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress
Conference Location Honolulu, Hawaii
Conference Date May 12-16, 2008
Country United States
State Florida
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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