Seasonal Variability of Surface Solar Radiation under Different Cloud Conditions in Indonesia

Rafli Iqbal Taufiqi

Abstract


This study examines the seasonal variability of surface solar radiation (SSRD) across Indonesia under different cloud conditions using ERA5 monthly reanalysis data for the period 2016–2025. Monthly grid cells were classified into clear, moderate, and overcast categories based on tercile thresholds of total cloud cover (TCC), and the spatial correlation between SSRD and TCC was assessed for each season. Results show that SSRD is strongly modulated by seasonal cloud patterns: western and equatorial Indonesia receive markedly less radiation than the southeastern islands, particularly during JJA and SON. Clear-sky conditions yield 50–90 W/m² higher SSRD than overcast conditions in every season, and the interannual SSRD–TCC correlation is predominantly negative across almost the entire domain. These findings provide a spatially and seasonally resolved basis for solar photovoltaic (PV) resource planning in Indonesia.

Keywords


Cloud Cover; Indonesia; Surface Solar Radiation.

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References


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