Potential Driving Factors on Surface Solar Radiation Trends over China in Recent Years

The annual mean surface solar radiation (SSR) trends under all-sky, clear-sky, all-sky-no-aerosol, and clear-sky-no-aerosol conditions as well their possible causes are analyzed during 2005–2018 across China based on different satellite-retrieved datasets to determine the major drivers of trends. results confirm clouds aerosols contributors such all-sky SSR over but play differing roles sub-regions. Aerosol variations this period result in a widespread brightening, while cloud effects show opposite from south north. Moreover, contribute more increasing northern China, dominate decline southern China. A radiative transfer model is used explore relative contributions cover types all-types-of-cloud-cover-induced (ACC-induced) four typical sub-regions simulations point out that decreases low-cloud-cover (LCC) North Plain largest positive contributor all marked seasonal ACC-induced increases, both high-cloud-cover (HCC) LCC declines summer winter greatly increases East medium-low-cloud-cover (mid-LCC) ACC-caused southwestern South year round, except for larger HCC contribution summer.