New methods to estimate global radiation based on meteorological data in China

Sixteen empirical global radiation models based on meteorological variables were generated and validated using monthly or monthly mean daily data in 1968-1998 at 45 stations in China when sunshine hours were unavailable. Most of these equations can give good results, and at some stations, some equations can give better results than those of the Angstrom model. The Angstrom model and its three revised equations based on meteorological variables were also validated. These revised models can give better results than those of the original Angstrom model. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.