Evaluation of clear sky models to estimate solar radiation over the Korean peninsula

Solar radiation under a clear sky is a important factor in the process by which meteorological satellite images are converted into solar radiation maps, and the quality of estimations depends on the accuracy of clear sky models. Therefore, it is important to select models appropriate to the purpose of the study and the study area. In this instance, complex models were applied using Linke turbidity, including ESRA, Dumortier, and MODTRAN, in addition to simple models such as Bourges and PdBV, which consider only the solar elevation angles. The presence of cloud was identified using the Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite and the Meteorological imager (COMS MI), and reference data were then selected. In order to calculate the accuracy of the clear sky models, the concepts of RMSE and MBE were applied. The results show that Bourges and PdBV produced low RMSE values, while PdBV had relatively steady RMSE values. Also, simple models tend to underestimate global solar irradiation during spring and early summer. Conversely, in the winter season, complex methods often overestimate irradiation. In future work, the cause of overestimation and other factors will be analyzed and the clear sky models will be adjusted in order to make them suitable for the Korean Peninsula.