Developing a database using METEOSAT data for the delivery of solar radiation assessments at ground level

An information system, called HelioClim, is offered for answering the needs for long-term time-series of solar radiation data. These data originate from the processing of spaceborne observations made in the visible range by geostationary satellites to derive solar radiation available at ground level. The recent method Heliosat 2 is used. It offers several improvements in operation and accuracy with respect to previous methods. Typical bias for irradiance for a month is 3 W m(-2). A database is being produced, covering the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Europe and Africa from 1985 onwards and for each day. This database is accessible through the SoDa service on a free basis (http://www.soda-is.com).