Satellite-based solar radiation nowcasting for the energy transition and UV warnings
Solar radiation impacts society in various ways. Two important examples are the harvesting of solar radiation, which plays a major role in the energy transition, and the exposure of human skins to ultraviolet radiation, which constitutes a threat to public health. Accurate, detailed and timely forecasts of solar radiation are required to inform society on these matters. In this project, building on an award-winning pilot study, we want to create an operational solar radiation nowcasting system based on observations made by the geostationary Meteosat satellite. A major focus will be on characterizing the spatio-temporal representativity and geolocation accuracy of satellite retrievals of surface radiation. New opportunities to move from deterministic to probabilistic forecasts will be explored.
This Ph.D. project is funded through the KNMI Meerjarig Strategisch Onderzoek (MSO) program and runs from February 2022 to January 2026.
