An evaluation of formulas for estimating clear-sky insolation over the ocean.

Description

Main Author

Reed, Ronald K.

Related Names

Berli︠a︡nd, M. E., scientist.
Laevastu, Taivo, scientist.
Lumb, F. E., scientist.
United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Environmental Research Laboratories (U.S.)
Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (U.S.)

Language(s)

English

Published

Washington, DC : United States Government Printing Office, 1975.

Subjects

Visibility.
Solar radiation > Solar radiation / Statistical methods.
Ocean-atmosphere interaction.
Atmospheric transparency.
Interaction mer-atmosphère.
Rayonnement solaire > Rayonnement solaire / Méthodes statistiques.
Visibilité.
Transparence de l'air.
Ocean-atmosphere interaction.
Solar radiation > Solar radiation / Statistical methods.
Visibility.
Atmospheric transparency.

Summary

Recent oceanic data and observations from five coastal sites in the National Weather Service solar radiation network are compared with a formula for computing clear-sky insolation derived from the Smithsonian Meteorological Tables, using a transmission coefficient of 0.7. The results are generally in good agreement, and they suggest that this formula is suitable for computing insolation over the ocean for a wide range of latitudes. The comparison also indicates that a correction to the formula for middle latitudes is not warranted. The one other formula in good agreement with that form the Smithsonian Tables is one derived by Lumb; Laevastu's formula is only acceptable at sun angles less that 50°, and Berliands' estimates are too high at all solar altitudes. The formula from the Smithsonian Tables can be used to compute insolation over the oceans with a random error of estimate probably not exceeding 5% for periods of a few days or longer.

Note

"December 1975."

Physical Description

25 pages : illustrations ; 27 cm

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