Estimation of Solar Radiation for Greenhouse Production in China

Solar radiation data is essential to the work of energy planners, engineers and agricultural scientist. In this study, the solar radiation model was developed using the measurements from the 101 solar radiation observation stations in China. The average daily radiation on horizontal surfaces in 621 meteorological stations was estimated by the model with the sunshine hours and geographic information. And the spatial distribution of solar radiation in China was obtained via inverse distance weighing (EDW) methods. Then the solar radiation data related to energy consumption for greenhouse production were analyzed. Solar radiation resources during the suitable period, heating period, and ventilation period of greenhouse crops production show different spatial characteristics. The result is helpful in greenhouse plan and design.