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Solar radiation data

Johannes Dold

April 28, 2025 15:04

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I have a question regarding solar radiation data. We need this data in our application to calculate photovoltaic energy capacities for a given location. However, the solar radiation can depend highly on the exact location. How accurate is the solar radiation data in terms of the location? Does it incorporate geographical elements like mountains that prevent direct solar radiation for specific areas? For us the question is, if we really query the solar radiation data for all exact locations or if we can make some approximations like using a postcode location that we then can use multiple times? If the data is anyway not very location specific, this would reduce our api requests a lot.

Thanks for any help.

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  info April 29, 2025 13:01 Official comment

  Thank you for your question.

  Our solar radiation forecast data is derived from advanced weather forecast models that produce gridded estimates of solar radiation. These models generate a grid of forecast values, with each grid cell representing an area that typically ranges from 2 to 25 kilometers per side, depending on the region and the forecast time horizon.

  In North America and Europe, forecast resolution is highest in the near term. For the first 24 to 48 hours, grid cells are generally between 2 and 5 kilometers across. Between days 2 and 7, the grid resolution typically degrades slightly to approximately 7 to 10 kilometers. Beyond day 7, forecast resolution often decreases further, with grid cells ranging from 13 to 25 kilometers.

  The forecast solar radiation values are calculated primarily from gridded model data, which itself is built using a combination of satellite observations, ground-based weather stations, and other meteorological inputs. This gridded approach ensures broad coverage and consistent data quality across large geographic areas.

  In addition to model-based forecasts, our historical and near-real-time solar radiation data, reflected in the solarradiation column, incorporates direct ground observations. These observations come from professional meteorological stations as well as high-quality personal weather stations operated by individuals. In urban and suburban areas where personal station density is higher, this observational data can provide highly localized solar radiation measurements, offering additional precision compared to the broader model forecasts.

  By combining model forecasts with observational data where available, we provide users with a detailed and accurate view of expected and recent solar radiation levels, supporting a wide range of applications from energy production forecasting to agricultural planning.

  Regards

  Visual Crossing Support