Using the measured data for a year of solar energy test station in Turpan combined with observation data of the weather station over the same period, from three aspects of solar radiation on inclined surface, direct normal irradiation and diffuse horizontal radiation to analyze the available solar energy resources and their variation characteristics and the possible causes in Turpan area. The results show: the annual irradiation on inclined plane with optimal angle is 1.4% higher than the inclined surface with latitude angle, and 23.16% higher than the horizontal plane. And the two groups of relative difference are diametrically opposed in seasonal changes, the relevant conclusions can be used for analyzing and evaluating the solar energy resources of the fixed photovoltaic power plant. The annual direct normal irradiation is 17% lower than the global horizontal irradiation, the relative difference in winter and spring is larger than that in summer and autumn, and the conclusions can be used for analyzing and evaluating the solar energy resource of thermal power generation. The annual diffuse horizontal radiation takes 49% of the global horizontal irradiation, the diffuse ratio and annual variation of the solar elevation angle are two major factors that influence the changes of two solar energy resources; in addition, the annual global horizontal irradiation might decrease 8% by the shelter of the buildings surrounding the weather station. Considering the climate average state, the measured annual global horizontal irradiation in this paper is 8% lower than the average value in recent 30 years. This research is trying to explain the connections and differences between the ‘available resources’ of solar power generation project and ‘radiation elements’ in the meteorological field, so as to provide references for the solar power plant to carry out scientific and reasonable resources measuring and evaluating works.