On broadband Rayleigh scattering in the atmosphere for solar radiation modelling

A new analytical expression for the broadband transmission function corresponding to atmospheric Rayleigh scattering has been developed. This expression is based on the latest known spectral data on Rayleigh scattering as well as on the Neckel and Labs model, incorporating the most recent corrections of the extraterrestrial solar spectrum. The proposed expression can be easily used by solar radiation models in order to predict the beam, diffuse and global solar radiation.