Forecasting short-term solar irradiance based on artificial neural networks and data from neighboring meteorological stations

•An intra-day solar irradiance forecasting method using neural networks (ANNs) from sensors.•The influence of neighboring sensors in the short-term prediction is confirmed.•The proposed ANNs improve error rates (<20% nRMSE) in nowcasting the solar irradiance.•Validated ANNs models for 1–6h time frames with sensors within a 55km radius.