1) Radiation flux fields in the monthly collection, M2TMNXRAD, and the hourly collection M2T1NXRAD:
- lwgnt: surface net downward longwave flux (W m-2)
- lwgntclr: surface net downward longwave flux assuming clear sky (W m-2)
- lwgntclrcln: surface net downward longwave flux assuming clear sky and no aerosol (W m-2)
- swtnt: TOA net downward shortwave flux (W m-2)
- swtntcln: TOA net downward shortwave flux assuming no aerosol (W m-2)
- swtntclr: TOA net downward shortwave flux assuming clear sky (W m-2)
- swtntclrcln: TOA net downward shortwave flux assuming clear sky and no aerosol (W m-2)
2) Meteorological fields in the monthly collection, M2TMNXSLV, and the hourly collection M2TMNXSLV:
- u850: eastward wind at 850 hpa (m s-1)
- u500: eastward wind at 500 hpa (m s-1)
- u250 eastward wind at 250 hpa (m s-1)
- u2m: 2-meter eastward wind (m s-1)
- u10m: 10-meter eastward wind (m s-1)
- u50m: eastward wind at 50 meters (m s-1)
- v850: northward wind at 850 hpa (m s-1)
- v500: northward wind at 500 hpa (m s-1)
- v250: northward wind at 250 hpa (m s-1)
- v2m: 2-meter northward wind (m s-1)
- v10m: 10-meter northward wind (m s-1)
- v50m: northward wind at 50 meters (m s-1)
The NASA reanalysis dataset MERRA-2 has been widely used to study historical wind and solar renewable energy resources. Contact the NASA project POWER, for information on variables relevant to renewable energy.
Below are the FAQs and documents on MERRA-2 data providing additional information:
I am interested in using MERRA-2 for wind analysis
MERRA-2 File specification
MERRA-2 Data Access – Quick Start Guide
For near-real-time wind and radiation flux data from the NASA reanalysis model, i.e, Goddard Earth Observing System for Instrument Teams (GEOS-IT), contact the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO): https://gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/GMAO_products/GEOS-IT/
More relevant information:
Publications related to energy production using NASA data