ESTIMATION OF GLOBAL RADIATION OVER THE QINGHAI-XIZANG PLATEAU FROM NIMBUS-7 PLANETARY ALBEDO DATA

In this paper, the solar global radiation at the surface over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and its surrounding areas is estimated from Nimbus-7 monthly average planetary albedo data (August 1982 to July 1983) based on "physical model method (Raschke and Preuss, 1979)" Maps of the satellite estimated monthly average global radiation show the expected patterns, which are mainly dominated by latitude, elevation and cloud cover. The estimated global radiations were comparied with surface measurements for 23 stations of radiation network in the related region. The statistical correlation analysis indicates that the standard error RMS=27 W/m2 mean absolute error ABS=21 W/m2 and the correlation coefficient R=0.90.The error sources are discussed along with the sensitivity study.