The Influence of Surface Roughness on GIS-Based Solar Radiation Modelling

While parameters such as slope and aspect are routinely considered in solar radiation modelling, the role of terrain or surface roughness remains underexplored, with no universally accepted method for its calculation. This study compares several approaches to quantifying terrain or surface roughness in several geographical information system (GIS) environments (ArcGIS, QGIS, WhiteboxTools, and SAGA GIS) and introduces local fractal dimension, computed using a custom Python script, as an additional metric. The aim is to evaluate the influence of surface roughness on potential solar radiation modelling and to examine its relationship with other terrain parameters. The analysis is based on case studies from both a rugged alpine environment in the Tatra Mountains (Tichá and Kôprová dolina (valleys), Kriváň peak; 944–2467 m a.s.l.) and an urban environment (the city of Poprad, near the High Tatras, Slovakia). The results demonstrate that surface roughness can significantly affect potential solar radiation modelling in areas with high surface variability. The findings are applicable not only to solar radiation studies, but also to other fields of spatial modelling, where incorporating surface roughness can improve the accuracy and robustness of spatial analyses and predictions

Digital elevation model · Surface finish · Surface roughness · Terrain · Atmospheric aerosols and clouds · Climate Change and Geoengineering · Solar Radiation and Photovoltaics · Radiation

• Effects of Terrain Parameters and Spatial Resolution of a Digital Elevation Model on the Calculation of Potential Solar Radiation in the Mountain Environment

  Open Access•Renata Ďuračiová, Filip Pružinec•ISPRS International Journal of…•2022

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