Evaluation of the CAMS gridded solar radiation model in Brazil

Abstract

This study evaluates the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) gridded solar radiation model in Brazil, focusing on its application for spatiotemporal analyses. The research validates 19 years of data (2005–2023) of the CAMS estimations against ground-based measurements from 11 stations dispersed throughout the country. Beyond pointwise comparisons, the work explores the model's ability to represent geographical patterns through the generation of monthly solar radiation anomaly and trend maps. The methodology employed included bilinear interpolation to align gridded data with station coordinates, calculation of statistical metrics, and seasonal analysis. The resulting maps revealed spatial variations linked to climatic phenomena, underscoring CAMS' utility for regional-scale studies. The conclusion emphasises the potential of CAMS as a promising tool for solar radiation mapping, acknowledging the challenges in fully representing local conditions. The approach demonstrates the potential of gridded models to complement in situ measurements, particularly in regions with limited data availability.