A simple model to predict solar radiation under clear sky conditions

Solar radiation is one of the major factors that dominate the thermal behaviors of aerostats in the daytime and the primary energy source of high altitude long endurance aerostats. Therefore, it is necessary to propose an accurate model to predict the solar irradiances. A comprehensive review of the well-known solar radiation models is conducted to help develop the new model. Based on the analysis of the existing models and the available radiation data, the extensive computer tests of the regression and optimization are conducted, from which the new solar radiation model for direct and diffuse irradiances under clear sky conditions is proposed. The new model has excellent prediction accuracy. The coefficient of determination for direct radiation is 0.992, with the root mean square error (RMSE) of 16.9 W/m2 and the mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.2%. The coefficient of determination for diffuse radiation is 0.86, with RMSE = 8.7 W/m2 and MAE = 9.9%. Comparisons with the well-known existing models show that the new model is much more accurate than the best existing ones.