An overview of solar resource assessment using meteorological satellite data

Abstract

Earth observation data from meteorological satellites provide essential information for solar resource assessment (SRA). SRA is the statistical characterization of solar radiation at a specific location on Earth and it is a key part of feasibility studies for solar thermal and solar photovoltaic projects. Cloud climatology and the Clear Sky model are the two main building blocks of any satellite-based resource assessment method. This paper provides an overview of SRA methods and provides examples of data products derived from satellite images.