Validation of CM SAF Surface Solar Radiation Datasets over Finland and Sweden

Author(s):
Riihelä, Aku; Carlund, Thomas; Trentmann, Jörg; Müller, Richard; Lindfors, Anders
Publication title: Remote Sensing
2015
 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 6
2015
DOI: 10.3390/rs70606663
Abstract:
Accurate determination of the amount of incoming solar radiation at Earth’s surface is important for both climate studies and solar power applications… Accurate determination of the amount of incoming solar radiation at Earth’s surface is important for both climate studies and solar power applications. Satellite-based datasets of solar radiation offer wide spatial and temporal coverage, but careful validation of their quality is a necessary prerequisite for reliable utilization. Here we study the retrieval quality of one polar-orbiting satellite-based dataset (CLARA-A1) and one geostationary satellite-based dataset (SARAH), using in situ observations of solar radiation from the Finnish and Swedish meteorological measurement networks as reference. Our focus is on determining dataset quality over high latitudes as well as evaluating daily mean retrievals, both of which are aspects that have drawn little focus in previous studies. We find that both datasets are generally capable of retrieving the levels and seasonal cycles of solar radiation in Finland and Sweden well, with some limitations. SARAH exhibits a slight negative bias and increased retrieval uncertainty near the coverage edge, but in turn offers better precision (less scatter) in the daily mean retrievals owing to the high sampling rate of geostationary imaging. more
Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records Validation

Validation of Photovoltaic Spectral Effects Derived From Satellite-Based Solar Irradiance Products

Author(s):
Pelland, S; Gueymard, CA
Publication title: IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS
2022
 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 6
2022
DOI: 10.1109/JPHOTOV.2022.3216501
Abstract:
The Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM-SAF) Spectral Resolved Irradiance (SRI) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory National… The Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM-SAF) Spectral Resolved Irradiance (SRI) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory National Solar Radiation Database Spectral on Demand (NSRDB-S) satellite-based spectral irradiance products are tested here against benchmark data and models at seven ground stations: one in Spain for CM-SAF SRI and six in North America for NSRDB-S. Benchmarks include WISER spectroradiometers, spectra modeled from SolarSIM-G measurements, the First Solar model of spectral mismatch factor (SMM), and the SMARTS radiative code with two alternate input sources: AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) and the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis. The satellite products are tested in terms of their ability to estimate photovoltaic (PV) spectral effects for six PV module technologies. Spectra are also compared directly. CM-SAF SRI generally outperforms First Solar and "no spectral effects " benchmarks, except for cadmium telluride modules. For NSRDB-S, predictions of long-term spectral derate factors show less skill than for instantaneous SMMs. Spectra comparisons reveal systematic differences between NSRDB-S and benchmark spectra, likely due to the NSRDB-S treatment of aerosols. Meanwhile, the mean SMARTS spectra with AERONET and MERRA-2 inputs are in good agreement, showing promise for the use of MERRA-2 as input to clear-sky models. more
Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records Validation

Validation of Photovoltaic Spectral Effects Derived From Satellite-Based Solar Irradiance Products

Author(s):
Pelland, Sophie; Gueymard, Christian A.
2022
2022
DOI: 10.1109/PVSC48317.2022.9938602
Abstract:
The Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM-SAF) Spectral Resolved Irradiance (SRI) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) N… The Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CM-SAF) Spectral Resolved Irradiance (SRI) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) National Solar Radiation Database Spectral on Demand (NSRDB-S) satellite-based spectral irradiance products are tested here against benchmark data and models at seven ground stations: one in Spain for CM-SAF SRI and six in North America for NSRDB-S. Benchmarks include WISER spectroradiometers, spectra modeled from SolarSIM-G measurements and the SMARTS radiative code with two alternate input sources: AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) and the ModernEra Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis. The satellite products are tested in terms of their ability to estimate photovoltaic (PV) spectral effects for six PV module technologies. The spectra are also compared directly under clear-sky conditions. Both CM-SAF SRI and NSRDB-S outperformed the simple benchmark of neglecting spectral effects in terms of predicting instantaneous spectral mismatch factors, but only CM-SAF SRI did better at predicting the long-term spectral derate factors. The clear-sky results revealed systematic differences between NSRDB-S and benchmark spectra, likely due to the NSRDB-S treatment of aerosols. Meanwhile, the mean SMARTS spectra with AERONET and MERRA-2 inputs were in good agreement, showing promise for the use of MERRA-2 as input to clear-sky models. more
Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records Validation

Validation of the CLARA-A3 Top-of-Atmosphere Radiative Fluxes Climate Data Record

Author(s):
Akkermans, Tom; Clerbaux, Nicolas
Publication title: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
2023
 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 11
2023
DOI: 10.1175/JTECH-D-23-0065.1
Abstract:
Abstract The third edition of the CM SAF Cloud, Albedo and Surface Radiation dataset from AVHRR data (CLARA-A3) contains for the first time the top-of… Abstract The third edition of the CM SAF Cloud, Albedo and Surface Radiation dataset from AVHRR data (CLARA-A3) contains for the first time the top-of-atmosphere products reflected solar flux (RSF) and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), which are presented and validated using CERES, HIRS, and ERA5 reference data. The products feature an unprecedented resolution (0.25°) and time span (4 decades) and offer synergy and compatibility with other CLARA-A3 products. The RSF is relatively stable; its bias with respect to (w.r.t.) ERA5 remains mostly within ±2 W m−2. Deviations are predominantly caused by absence of either morning or afternoon satellite, mostly during the first decade. The radiative impact of the Pinatubo volcanic eruption is estimated at 3 W m−2. The OLR is stable w.r.t. ERA5 and HIRS, except during 1979–80. OLR regional uncertainty w.r.t. HIRS is quantified by the mean absolute bias (MAB) and correlates with observation density and time (satellite orbital configuration), which is optimal during 2002–16, with monthly and daily MAB of approximately 1.5 and 3.5 W m−2, respectively. Daily OLR uncertainty is higher (MAB +40%) during periods with only morning or only afternoon observations (1979–87). During the CERES era (2000–20), the OLR uncertainties w.r.t. CERES-EBAF, CERES-SYN, and HIRS are very similar. The RSF uncertainty achieves optimal results during 2002–16 with a monthly MAB w.r.t. CERES-EBAF of ∼2 W m−2 and a daily MAB w.r.t. CERES-SYN of ∼5 W m−2, and it is more sensitive to orbital configuration than is OLR. Overall, validation results are satisfactory for this first release of TOA flux products in the CLARA-A3 portfolio. more
Atmosphere CM-SAF Climate Data Records Validation

Validation of the IASI FORLI/Eumetsat ozone products usingsatellite (GOME-2), ground-based (Brewer-Dobson, SAOZ) andozonesonde measurements

Author(s):
Boynard, Anne; Hurtmans, Daniel; Garane, Katerina; Goutail, Florence; Hadji-Lazaro, Juliette; Koukouli, Maria Elissavet; Wespes, Catherine; Keppens, Arno; Pommereau, Jean-Pierre; Pazmino, Andrea; Balis, Dimitris; Loyola, Diego; Valks, Pieter; Coheur, Pierre-François; Clerbaux, Cathy
2018
2018
DOI: 10.5194/amt-2017-461
Abstract:
Abstract. This paper assesses the quality of IASI/Metop-A (IASI-A) and IASI/Metop-B (IASI-B) ozone (O3) products (total and partial O3 columns) retrie… Abstract. This paper assesses the quality of IASI/Metop-A (IASI-A) and IASI/Metop-B (IASI-B) ozone (O3) products (total and partial O3 columns) retrieved with the Fast Optimal Retrievals on Layers for IASI Ozone (FORLI-O3) v20151001 software for nine years (2008–2017) through an extensive inter-comparison and validation exercise using independent observations (satellite, ground-based and ozonesonde). IASI-A and IASI-B Total O3 Columns (TOCs) are generally consistent, with a global mean difference less than 0.3 % for both day- and nighttime measurements, IASI-A being slightly higher than IASI-B. A global difference less than 2.4 % is found for the tropospheric (TROPO) O3 column product (IASI-A being lower than IASI-B), which is partly due to a temporary issue related to IASI-A viewing angle in 2015. Our validation shows that IASI-A and IASI-B TOCs are consistent with GOME-2, Dobson, Brewer and SAOZ retrieved ones, with global mean differences in the range 0.1–2 % depending on the instruments. The IASI-A and ground-based TOC comparison for the period 2008–July 2017 shows good long-term stability (negative trends within 3 % decade−1). The comparison results between IASI-A and IASI-B against smoothed ozonesonde partial O3 columns vary in altitude and latitude, with maximum standard deviation for the 300–150 hPa column (20–40 %) due to strong ozone variability and a priori uncertainty. The worst agreement with the ozonesondes and with UV-vis retrieved TOC [satellite and ground] is found at the southern high latitudes. Compared to ozonesonde data, IASI-A and IASI-B O3 products overestimate the O3 abundance in the stratosphere (up to 20 % for the 150–25 hPa column) and underestimates the O3 abundance in the troposphere (within 10 % for the mid-latitudes and ~ 18 % for the tropics). Based on the period 2011–2016, non-significant drift is found for the northern hemispheric tropospheric columns while a small drift prevails for the period before 2011. more
AC-SAF Atmosphere Climate Data Records Validation

Validation of the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) surface UV radiation product

Author(s):
Lakkala, Kaisa; Kujanpää, Jukka; Brogniez, Colette; Henriot, Nicolas; Arola, Antti; Aun, Margit; Auriol, Frédérique; Bais, Alkiviadis F.; Bernhard, Germar; De Bock, Veerle; Catalfamo, Maxime; Deroo, Christine; Diémoz, Henri; Egli, Luca; Forestier, Jean-Baptiste; Fountoulakis, Ilias; Garane, Katerina; Garcia, Rosa Delia; Gröbner, Julian; Hassinen, Seppo; Heikkilä, Anu; Henderson, Stuart; Hülsen, Gregor; Johnsen, Bjørn; Kalakoski, Niilo; Karanikolas, Angelos; Karppinen, Tomi; Lamy, Kevin; León-Luis, Sergio F.; Lindfors, Anders V.; Metzger, Jean-Marc; Minvielle, Fanny; Muskatel, Harel B.; Portafaix, Thierry; Redondas, Alberto; Sanchez, Ricardo; Siani, Anna Maria; Svendby, Tove; Tamminen, Johanna
Publication title: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
2020
 | Volume: 13 | Issue: 12
2020
DOI: 10.5194/amt-13-6999-2020
Abstract:
The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) satellite was launched on 13 October 2017 to provide the atmos… The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) satellite was launched on 13 October 2017 to provide the atmospheric composition for atmosphere and climate research. The S5P is a Sun-synchronous polar-orbiting satellite providing global daily coverage. The TROPOMI swath is 2600 km wide, and the ground resolution for most data products is 7.2 × 3.5 km2 (5.6 × 3.5 km2 since 6 August 2019) at nadir. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) is responsible for the development of the TROPOMI UV algorithm and the processing of the TROPOMI surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation product which includes 36 UV parameters in total. Ground-based data from 25 sites located in arctic, subarctic, temperate, equatorial and Antarctic areas were used for validation of the TROPOMI overpass irradiance at 305, 310, 324 and 380 nm, overpass erythemally weighted dose rate/UV index, and erythemally weighted daily dose for the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 August 2019. The validation results showed that for most sites 60 %–80 % of TROPOMI data was within ±20 % of ground-based data for snow-free surface conditions. The median relative differences to ground-based measurements of TROPOMI snow-free surface daily doses were within ±10 % and ±5 % at two-thirds and at half of the sites, respectively. At several sites more than 90 % of cloud-free TROPOMI data was within ±20 % of groundbased measurements. Generally median relative differences between TROPOMI data and ground-based measurements were a little biased towards negative values (i.e. satellite data < ground-based measurement), but at high latitudes where non-homogeneous topography and albedo or snow conditions occurred, the negative bias was exceptionally high: from −30 % to −65 %. Positive biases of 10 %–15 % were also found for mountainous sites due to challenging topography. The TROPOMI surface UV radiation product includes quality flags to detect increased uncertainties in the data due to heterogeneous surface albedo and rough terrain, which can be used to filter the data retrieved under challenging conditions. more
AC-SAF Atmosphere Climate Data Records Validation

Validation of tropospheric NO2 column measurements of GOME-2A and OMI using MAX-DOAS and direct sun network observations

Author(s):
Pinardi, Gaia; Van Roozendael, Michel; Hendrick, François; Theys, Nicolas; Abuhassan, Nader; Bais, Alkiviadis; Boersma, Folkert; Cede, Alexander; Chong, Jihyo; Donner, Sebastian; Drosoglou, Theano; Dzhola, Anatoly; Eskes, Henk; Frieß, Udo; Granville, José; Herman, Jay R.; Holla, Robert; Hovila, Jari; Irie, Hitoshi; Kanaya, Yugo; Karagkiozidis, Dimitris; Kouremeti, Natalia; Lambert, Jean-Christopher; Ma, Jianzhong; Peters, Enno; Piters, Ankie; Postylyakov, Oleg; Richter, Andreas; Remmers, Julia; Takashima, Hisahiro; Tiefengraber, Martin; Valks, Pieter; Vlemmix, Tim; Wagner, Thomas; Wittrock, Folkard
Publication title: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
2020
 | Volume: 13 | Issue: 11
2020
DOI: 10.5194/amt-13-6141-2020
Abstract:
Multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) and direct sun NO2 vertical column network data are used to investigate the accurac… Multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) and direct sun NO2 vertical column network data are used to investigate the accuracy of tropospheric NO2 column measurements of the GOME-2 instrument on the MetOp-A satellite platform and the OMI instrument on Aura. The study is based on 23 MAX-DOAS and 16 direct sun instruments at stations distributed worldwide. A method to quantify and correct for horizontal dilution effects in heterogeneous NO2 field conditions is proposed. After systematic application of this correction to urban sites, satellite measurements are found to present smaller biases compared to ground-based reference data in almost all cases. We investigate the seasonal dependence of the validation results as well as the impact of using different approaches to select satellite ground pixels in coincidence with ground-based data. In optimal comparison conditions (satellite pixels containing the station) the median bias between satellite tropospheric NO2 column measurements and the ensemble of MAX-DOAS and direct sun measurements is found to be significant and equal to −34 % for GOME-2A and −24 % for OMI. These biases are further reduced to −24 % and −18 % respectively, after application of the dilution correction. Comparisons with the QA4ECV satellite product for both GOME-2A and OMI are also performed, showing less scatter but also a slightly larger median tropospheric NO2 column bias with respect to the ensemble of MAX-DOAS and direct sun measurements. more
AC-SAF Atmosphere Climate Data Records Validation
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