iDAR (light detection and ranging) data provides an effective parameter for urban solar radiation models. ► Trees in the study area attenuate on average 38% of available solar radiation at building rooftops. ► Strong correlations exists between average tree height, tree height variability, normalized tree volume and estimates of direct and diffuse radiation received at building rooftops. ► Integrating atmospheric conditions into the solar radiation model impacts absolute values but not correlation between tree structure and radiation estimates.