Spatial Differentiation Of Global Solar Radiation in Toruń And its Suburban Area (Central Poland) in 2012

Marek Kejna, Joanna Uscka-Kowalkowska, Andrzej Araźny, Mieczysław Kunz, Rafał Maszewski, Rajmund Przybylak
2014 Bulletin of Geography: Physical Geography Series  
: This article investigates the spatial distribution of global solar radiation (K↓) in Toruń and its suburbs, observed in 2012. Measurements were taken at 12 points (7 within the city and 5 in the suburban area) using CNR4 net radiometers and automatic weather stations (Vantage Pro+). At all locations, the diurnal and annual courses of K↓ were typically related to the Earth's rotational movement and changes in the sun's declination over the year, and disturbed by clouds and atmospheric
more » ... that enhance the extinction of solar radiation. A substantial spatial diversity of K↓ was observed in Toruń and its suburbs. The annual sum of K↓ at several urban locations accounted for over 70% of the solar radiation in the open space outside the city. The amount of incoming solar radiation in the urban area was more restricted in winter (<50%) than in summer (approx. 70%). The diurnal courses of K↓ were heavily disturbed by local obstacles which cast shadows (causing a considerable decrease of K↓), but there were instances of increases in K↓ (122%) augmented by radiation reflected from roofs, walls and windows surrounding the measurement point. The spatial diversity of K↓ in the urban area is heterogeneous, due to local meteorological conditions (cloudiness, fog, smog and airborne dust) and the obscuring of the horizon.
doi:10.2478/bgeo-2014-0002 fatcat:pt7qkdkz4nc6xhgl5ewk5d37zu