In this paper

new solar radiation modeling based on stepwise regression analysis are put forward for estimating global solar radiation from common climate variables （such as sunshine duration

cloud cover

vapor pressure） and geographical elements （altitude

latitude）

which simplify the simulation process

improve the operational efficiency under the similar preci- sion. Based on these models and the observation data of common meteorological elements at more than 730 stations in China

the resulting 1km×1km resolution（20226531 grids） solar radiation distribution show that in the whole country

the annual solar radiation energy on the land surface is about 52.4×1018 kJ

and the average annual solar radiation lies between 2780— 7560MJ?m?2?a?1. There are regional distribution characteristics of global solar radiation in China; it declines from northwest to southeast. The highest value （≥6700 MJ?m?2?a?1） areas of solar radiation is in the Tibet Autonomous Region

the northeastern of Qinghai Province and the west border of Gansu Province; their total area is about 1300000km2. The lowest value （≤4200 MJ?m?2?a?1） area of solar radiation is in the Sichuan Basin and the gorge area of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in the south of Tibetan Plateau; their total area is about 750000km2.