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Accurate estimation of the Earth's surface energy balance (SEB) components is very much important for characterising the environmental, hydrological and bio-geophysical processes to predict the weather and climate or climate change. This narrative review summarises the basic theories of estimation methods of the solar (shortwave) radiation, thermal (longwave) radiation and evapotranspiration (latent heat flux) from both the ground and satellite measurements, which are inherently complex to measure at large scale. This paper discusses the reviews of prior and recent advances in the estimation methods and models by focusing their advantages, disadvantages and recommendations. Uncertainties associated with satellite estimations and some key directions for further studies are also discussed, including the status of ground-based measurements at regional and global scales and the advent of new satellite technologies for quantifying the SEB components more accurately. This study infers that the further advances in the satellite remote sensing and worldwide ground-based measurement networks will enhance the capabilities for the potential estimation of the SEB parameters as well as monitoring the global water and energy cycles to develop significant environmental studies for the betterment of living on the Earth.

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