Articles | Volume 26, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-7207-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-7207-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
27 May 2026
Research article |
| 27 May 2026
| 27 May 2026
Errors in satellite-based global horizontal irradiance retrievals due to three-dimensional cloud-radiation interactions
R&D Satellite Observations, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), De Bilt, the Netherlands
Meteorology and Air Quality Group,Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
Victor J. H. Trees
R&D Satellite Observations, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), De Bilt, the Netherlands
Geoscience and Remote Sensing Department, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Chiel C. van Heerwaarden
Meteorology and Air Quality Group,Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
Jan Fokke Meirink
R&D Satellite Observations, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), De Bilt, the Netherlands
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Short summary
Retrievals of surface solar radiation from passive satellite instruments normally neglect the three-dimensional (3D) interaction between clouds and radiation. This study identifies error sources arising from this neglect and demonstrates their influence on retrieval accuracy across a range of spatial resolutions. At the resolution of current geostationary satellites, 3D interactions can already introduce considerable errors, underscoring the need to develop corrections that account for them.
Retrievals of surface solar radiation from passive satellite instruments normally neglect the...
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