Solar Radiation Maps
Service: Calculate solar radiation maps at landscape and regional
scales.
The Technique: Solar radiation maps depict the geographic
distribution of incoming solar radiation (insolation), fundamental for
a multitude of physical and biological processes on Earth. Typically,
a digital elevation model (DEM) is used as input to calculate solar
radiation maps. Solar radiation models account for latitude as it
influences solar angles, atmospheric conditions, and three main local
geometric effects: 1) elevation, which determines the amount of
atmosphere through which solar radiation must pass; 2) surface
orientation, which determines angle of incidence; and 3)
topographic obstruction, which blocks insolation from certain sky
directions.
Our Contribution: Over the years we have helped develop tools for
calculating solar radiation maps from DEMS. In particular, we
collaborated to develop Solarflux (ArcInfo AML), Topoview and
SolarAnalyst (ArcView GIS extensions), and ArcGIS Solar Radiation
Tools. We have applied these tools to address diverse scientific,
conservation, and natural resource management problems.
More Information and Downloads:
• Solar Analyst: http://www.fs.fed.us/informs/tools
• ArcGIS Solar Radiation Tools: http://webhelp.esri.
com/arcgisdesktop/9.2/index.cfm?
TopicName=An_overview_of_the_Solar_Radiation_tools
Examples
Service: Calculate solar radiation maps at landscape and regional
scales.
The Technique: Solar radiation maps depict the geographic
distribution of incoming solar radiation (insolation), fundamental for
a multitude of physical and biological processes on Earth. Typically,
a digital elevation model (DEM) is used as input to calculate solar
radiation maps. Solar radiation models account for latitude as it
influences solar angles, atmospheric conditions, and three main local
geometric effects: 1) elevation, which determines the amount of
atmosphere through which solar radiation must pass; 2) surface
orientation, which determines angle of incidence; and 3)
topographic obstruction, which blocks insolation from certain sky
directions.
Our Contribution: Over the years we have helped develop tools for
calculating solar radiation maps from DEMS. In particular, we
collaborated to develop Solarflux (ArcInfo AML), Topoview and
SolarAnalyst (ArcView GIS extensions), and ArcGIS Solar Radiation
Tools. We have applied these tools to address diverse scientific,
conservation, and natural resource management problems.
More Information and Downloads:
• Solar Analyst: http://www.fs.fed.us/informs/tools
• ArcGIS Solar Radiation Tools: http://webhelp.esri.
com/arcgisdesktop/9.2/index.cfm?
TopicName=An_overview_of_the_Solar_Radiation_tools
Examples
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Creekside Center
for Earth Observation
for Earth Observation
Selected Publications
Dubayah, R. and P.M. Rich. 1996. GIS–based solar radiation modeling. pp 129–134 In: M.F. Goodchild, L.
T. Steyaert, B.O. Parks. C. Johnston, D. Maidment, M. Crane, and S. Glendinning (eds). GIS and
environmental modeling: progress and research issues. GIS World Books. Fort Collins, CO.
Dubayah, R. and P.M. Rich. 1995. Topographic solar radiation models for GIS. International Journal of
Geographic Information Systems 9:405–419. pdf
Fu, P., and P.M. Rich. 2002. A geometric solar radiation model with applications in agriculture and
forestry. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 37:25-35. pdf
Fu, P. and P.M. Rich. 2000. A geometric solar radiation model and its applications in agriculture and
forestry. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Geospatial Information in Agriculture
and Forestry. I-357-364.
Fu, P. and P.M. Rich. 2000. The Solar Analyst user manual. Helios Environmental Modeling Institute,
USA. pdf
Fu, P., and P.M. Rich. 1999. Design and implementation of the Solar Analyst: an ArcView extension for
modeling solar radiation at landscape scales. Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual ESRI User
Conference. pdf
Fu, P. and P.M. Rich. 1999. TopoView user manual. Helios Environmental Modeling Institute, USA. pdf
Hetrick, W.A., P.M. Rich, F.J. Barnes, and S.B. Weiss. 1993. GIS-based solar radiation flux models.
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Technical Papers Vol. 3 GIS Photogrammetry
and Modeling. pp. 132-143.
Hetrick, W.A., P.M. Rich, and S.B. Weiss. 1993. Modeling insolation on complex surfaces. Thirteenth
Annual ESRI User Conference, Volume 2. pp 447–458. pdf
Huang, S., P.M. Rich, R.L. Crabtree, C.S. Potter, and P. Fu. 2008. Modeling monthly near-surface air
temperature from solar radiation and lapse rate: application over complex terrain in Yellowstone
National Park, USA. Physical Geography 29: 158-178. pdf
Rich, P.M. 2000. Topography, microclimate, and vegetation patterns of the Landels–Hill Big Creek
Reserve: reflections, cogitations, and some lessons. Proceedings of the 20th Anniversary Symposium,
Big Creek Reserve, CA.
Rich, P.M., R. Dubayah, W.A. Hetrick, and S.C. Saving. 1994. Using viewshed models to calculate
intercepted solar radiation: applications in ecology. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing Technical Papers. pp 524–529.
Rich, P.M. and P. Fu. 2000. Enlightenment for mapping systems: solar radiation models look to the sun
for answers. Resource Magazine 6(2):7-8. pdf
Rich, P.M. and P. Fu. 2000. Topoclimatic habitat models. Proceedings of the Fourth International
Conference on Integrating GIS and Environmental Modeling. pdf
Rich, P.M., W.A. Hetrick, S.C. Saving. 1995. Modeling topographic influences on solar radiation: a
manual for the SOLARFLUX model. Los Alamos National Laboratory Report LA-12989M. pdf
Saving, S.C., W.A. Hetrick, P.M. Rich, A.D. Weiss, and S.B. Weiss. 1994. Physiographic inventory
methodology. Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual ESRI User Conference.
Saving, S.C., P.M. Rich, J.T Smiley, and S.B. Weiss. 1993. GIS-based microclimate models for
assessment of habitat quality in natural reserves. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing Technical Papers Vol. 3 GIS Photogrammetry. pp.319-330.
Weiss, S.B., D.D. Murphy, and R.R. White. 1988. Sun, slope, and butterflies: topographic determinants
of habitat quality for Euphydryas editha bayensis. Ecology 69:1486-1496. pdf
Van de Ven, C.M., S.B. Weiss, and W.G. Ernst. 2007. Plant species distributions under current
conditions and forecasted for warmer climates in an arid mountain range. Earth Interactions 11:1-33.
pdf
Dubayah, R. and P.M. Rich. 1996. GIS–based solar radiation modeling. pp 129–134 In: M.F. Goodchild, L.
T. Steyaert, B.O. Parks. C. Johnston, D. Maidment, M. Crane, and S. Glendinning (eds). GIS and
environmental modeling: progress and research issues. GIS World Books. Fort Collins, CO.
Dubayah, R. and P.M. Rich. 1995. Topographic solar radiation models for GIS. International Journal of
Geographic Information Systems 9:405–419. pdf
Fu, P., and P.M. Rich. 2002. A geometric solar radiation model with applications in agriculture and
forestry. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 37:25-35. pdf
Fu, P. and P.M. Rich. 2000. A geometric solar radiation model and its applications in agriculture and
forestry. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Geospatial Information in Agriculture
and Forestry. I-357-364.
Fu, P. and P.M. Rich. 2000. The Solar Analyst user manual. Helios Environmental Modeling Institute,
USA. pdf
Fu, P., and P.M. Rich. 1999. Design and implementation of the Solar Analyst: an ArcView extension for
modeling solar radiation at landscape scales. Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual ESRI User
Conference. pdf
Fu, P. and P.M. Rich. 1999. TopoView user manual. Helios Environmental Modeling Institute, USA. pdf
Hetrick, W.A., P.M. Rich, F.J. Barnes, and S.B. Weiss. 1993. GIS-based solar radiation flux models.
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Technical Papers Vol. 3 GIS Photogrammetry
and Modeling. pp. 132-143.
Hetrick, W.A., P.M. Rich, and S.B. Weiss. 1993. Modeling insolation on complex surfaces. Thirteenth
Annual ESRI User Conference, Volume 2. pp 447–458. pdf
Huang, S., P.M. Rich, R.L. Crabtree, C.S. Potter, and P. Fu. 2008. Modeling monthly near-surface air
temperature from solar radiation and lapse rate: application over complex terrain in Yellowstone
National Park, USA. Physical Geography 29: 158-178. pdf
Rich, P.M. 2000. Topography, microclimate, and vegetation patterns of the Landels–Hill Big Creek
Reserve: reflections, cogitations, and some lessons. Proceedings of the 20th Anniversary Symposium,
Big Creek Reserve, CA.
Rich, P.M., R. Dubayah, W.A. Hetrick, and S.C. Saving. 1994. Using viewshed models to calculate
intercepted solar radiation: applications in ecology. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing Technical Papers. pp 524–529.
Rich, P.M. and P. Fu. 2000. Enlightenment for mapping systems: solar radiation models look to the sun
for answers. Resource Magazine 6(2):7-8. pdf
Rich, P.M. and P. Fu. 2000. Topoclimatic habitat models. Proceedings of the Fourth International
Conference on Integrating GIS and Environmental Modeling. pdf
Rich, P.M., W.A. Hetrick, S.C. Saving. 1995. Modeling topographic influences on solar radiation: a
manual for the SOLARFLUX model. Los Alamos National Laboratory Report LA-12989M. pdf
Saving, S.C., W.A. Hetrick, P.M. Rich, A.D. Weiss, and S.B. Weiss. 1994. Physiographic inventory
methodology. Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual ESRI User Conference.
Saving, S.C., P.M. Rich, J.T Smiley, and S.B. Weiss. 1993. GIS-based microclimate models for
assessment of habitat quality in natural reserves. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing Technical Papers Vol. 3 GIS Photogrammetry. pp.319-330.
Weiss, S.B., D.D. Murphy, and R.R. White. 1988. Sun, slope, and butterflies: topographic determinants
of habitat quality for Euphydryas editha bayensis. Ecology 69:1486-1496. pdf
Van de Ven, C.M., S.B. Weiss, and W.G. Ernst. 2007. Plant species distributions under current
conditions and forecasted for warmer climates in an arid mountain range. Earth Interactions 11:1-33.
| Variation in insolation according to slope orientation over small geographic areas has profound effects on the phenology, survivorship, and population dynamics of the threatened Bay Checkerspot Butterfly larvae (Euphydrya editha bayensis). Timing of emergence as it relates to availability of the butterfly's host plant Plantago erecta is key for predicting growth, survivorship, and population levels in subsequent years (from Weiss 1988). |
| Modeling the effect of surrounding obstruction on global insolation (wh/m2) for the summer solstice in the vicinity of Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, CO, shows that sky obstruction is most important in deep valleys and on the north sides of mountain peaks, where the path of the sun is most obscured (from Fu et al. 2004). |
| GIS-based tools such as Solar Analyst and ArcGIS Solar Radiation Tools, enable calculation and analysis of solar radiation maps using DEMs for input. |
Analysis of topographic influence on
vegetation patterns at Big Creek
Reserve, CA, use A) the DEM as input
to calculate solar radiation maps for the
B) summer solstice, C) equinox, and D)
winter solstice, and relations with E)
vegetation distribution (from Rich
2000).
vegetation patterns at Big Creek
Reserve, CA, use A) the DEM as input
to calculate solar radiation maps for the
B) summer solstice, C) equinox, and D)
winter solstice, and relations with E)
vegetation distribution (from Rich
2000).
| A) |
| C) |
| B) |
| D) |
| E) |
 |