A Study on the Atmospheric Clearness Estimation of Major Cities in Korea Peninsula Using Empirical Forecasting Models

Since the atmospheric clearness index is main factor for evaluating atmosphere environment, it is necessary to estimate its characteristics all over the major cities in Korea Peninsula. We have begun collecting clearness index data since 1982 at 16 different cities in South Korea and estimated using empirical forecasting models at 21 different stations over the North Korea from 1982 to 2006. This considerable effort has been made for constructing a standard value from measured data at each city. The new clearness data for global-dimming analysis will be extensively used by evaluating atmospheric environment as well as by solar PV application system designer or users. From the results, we can conclude that 1) Yearly mean 63.5 % of the atmospheric clearness index was evaluated for clear day all over the 37 cities in Korea Peninsula, 2) Clear day's atmospheric clearness index of spring and summer were 64.6 % and 64.8 %, and for fall and winter their values were 63.3 % and 61.3% respectively in Korea Peninsula.