The empirical relation between solar radiation and hours of sunshine

Abstract

The variation with latitude of the regression parameters a and b in the conventional equation of Ångström type (Formula Presented.) between total solar radiation on a horizontal surface (Q) and hours of bright sunshine (n) has been examined. It has been shown that the slope of the relationship b is effectively constant, while the threshold value a is a function of latitude. An empirical relationship leading to the Ångström equation at each latitude ϕ over the range 0° ‐ 60° is derived and is shown to give values in reasonable accord with previous experience. It is (Formula Presented.) Copyright © 1958 Royal Meteorological Society