SunTrackInformation

SunTrackInformation is a data service that aggregates and distributes real‑time solar positioning and irradiance information for use in a variety of scientific, commercial, and educational contexts. The service collects observations from a fleet of low‑Earth orbit satellites equipped with high‑precision photometers, solar sensors, and GPS receivers. By combining these measurements with a sophisticated atmospheric model, SunTrackInformation produces hourly estimates of solar elevation, azimuth, and direct beam irradiance for any geographic location on the Earth's surface.

The project was launched in 2014 by the International Solar Monitoring Consortium as a complement to ground‑based solar observatories. Since its inception, it has grown to include data from over fifty satellites and has been integrated into several national weather services, renewable energy monitoring platforms, and academic research projects. Users can access the data through an RESTful API, bulk downloads in GRIB and NetCDF formats, or via an interactive web portal that visualises real‑time solar positions over global maps.

Key features of SunTrackInformation include a minute‑level temporal resolution, sub‑kilometer spatial granularity, and the capability to forecast solar parameters up to 48 hours ahead using a physics‑based propagation model. The service is free for non‑commercial uses, while organizations that require higher thresholds or dedicated support can obtain commercial licenses.

The information provided by SunTrackInformation is used for solar panel performance optimisation, solar farm siting, climate research, and educational demonstrations. Its accuracy and ubiquity have positioned it as a standard reference for solar irradiance in both the scientific community and the renewable energy industry.