STRAHLGRID - A solar radiation model with applications across different spatial scales

High-resolution information on short wave radiation fluxes and sunshine duration is important for a wide range of applications in the context of energy and mobility transition, sustainable energy planning and climate change adaptation.
We present a comprehensively refactored and updated version of the solar radiation model STRAHLGRID. The broadband model is used to compute diffuse and direct solar radiation on both horizontal and real (inclined) surfaces, as well as the sunshine duration in a spectral range of 0.3-3 μm covering Austria‘s national territory. Model output is available on a near-real-time basis with a temporal resolution of 15 minutes and a spatial resolution of 100 x 100 meters. The model takes atmospheric turbidity, cloudiness and terrain shading into account. For an accurate representation of temporal variations in atmospheric turbidity, precipitable water and visibility fields from the nowcasting model INCA are included. Terrain characteristics (elevation, aspect, slope, horizon angle and sky view factor) are derived from a digital elevation model that has been aggregated to a spatial resolution of 100 m.
Model validation was conducted using quality controlled global solar radiation and sunshine duration data from 178 automatic weather stations in Austria as well as gridded reanalysis data sets. Comparisons with station data, COSMO REA 6 and CERRA reanalysis showcase the benefits of STRAHLGRID.
The model is used to provide input for modelling tasks on different temporal and spatial scales (e.g., combination with airborne laser scanning data to incorporate local shading effects) and to derive products related to solar energy applications (longterm means and variability). 
This presentation covers the conceptual framework behind STRAHLGRID as well as the methods used for modelling, and offers insights to validation and usage of the dataset. The dataset is accessible through the GeoSphere Austria DataHub (https://data.hub.geosphere.at/) at daily resolution.