Satellite derived irradiance maps with a high temporal and spatial resolution are a valuable data source for the analysis of large scale grid intergrated solar energy systems. For an appropriate use of this huge data base convenient methods for the characterization of the spatial and temporal structures of the satellite derived irradiance field are necessary. In this paper we introduce the application of a multiresolution decomposition for the structure analysis of irradiance maps. Using this tool the maps are decomposed into local averages (context) and gradients (detail) on various spatial scales. The information on the context and the detail may be directly interpreted in terms that are of interest, e.g. for the analysis of PV-systems implemented on a very large scale.