Time Series

Global irradiance and weather data records designed and built for solar and cleantech
HISTORICAL AND TMY

20+ weather parameters optimised for the solar energy industry, from 2007 to 7 days ago. Combining Solcast's three dimensional cloud modelling with a flexible API.

Trusted in 24x7 operations by 40,000+ users worldwide, including these brands
CLOUD AND IRRADIANCE TRACKING

Tracking the world's clouds in the finest detail

Designed for Solar, from the ground up. Never rely on generic weather model data again. Solcast's real time and forecast data tracks and forecasts real clouds at a resolution of 1-2km and 5 minutes. Our irradiance and PV power data is updated every 5 to 15 minutes. Aerosol and albedo effects are explicitly treated.

WEATHER DATA

Full suite of high resolution weather data

Other weather data from leading reanalysis datasets completes the full suite of 20+ parameters available at 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 minute resolutions. Coverage from 2007 to 7 days ago.

VALIDATION

We provide upfront and clear accuracy and validation information

Be confident that our data is fit for purpose.

Explore up to date, independent validation statistics at locations similar to your area of interest.

DATA ACCESS

Download time series data on demand with the Solcast API Toolkit

Direct API download for TMY P50 data. Customise downloads according to the time resolution and parameters your project needs.

Bulk downloads for up to 20 locations at at time. Choose from multiple file types, ready for upload to your favourite PV simulation software.

data availability

Time Series Data Specifications

Geographic coverage

Global, except for ocean and polar regions

Temporal coverage

January 2007 to 7 days ago (for past 7 days to present time and forecasts, use our Live and Forecast data)

Temporal resolution

5, 10, 15, 30 & 60 minutes (period-mean values)

Spatial resolution

2km (irradiance and cloud parameters, over all non-polar continental areas and nearby islands)

27km (other parameters, and polar or remote oceanic regions)

Data parameters

The following data parameters are available.

  • Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) (W/m2)
  • Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) (W/m2)
  • Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI) (W/m2)
  • Global Tilted Irradiance (GTI) (W/m2)
  • Cloud Opacity (%)
  • Air Temperature (°C)
  • Solar Zenith Angle (°)
  • Solar Azimuth Angle (°)
  • Albedo (%)
  • Wind Speed (10m) (m/s)
  • Wind Direction (10m) (°)
  • Relative Humidity (%)
  • Surface Pressure (hPa)
  • Precipitable Water (kg/m2)
  • Dewpoint Temperature (°C)
  • Snow Depth Water Equivalent (cm)
Data access

Via the Solcast Web Toolkit

Download wait time

Typically 5 minutes

File formats

CSV

Data formats

Solcast standard, PVsyst (60 minute only)

Time zone

UTC (default for Solcast), longitudinal (default for PVsyst)

Historic Data Products

Time Series
The complete suite of irradiance and weather data required for effective monitoring, operation, and forecasting at your large-scale solar farm.
Typical Meteorological Year (TMY)
The complete suite of irradiance and weather data required for effective monitoring, operation, and forecasting at your large-scale solar farm.
Monthly Averages
The complete suite of irradiance and weather data required for effective monitoring, operation, and forecasting at your large-scale solar farm.