The solar radiation is an important fundamental meteorological parameter for building energy efficiency analysis. Since the measured radiation data can not meet the demand for analysis，the theoretical calculation is the critical. The widely used horizontal solar radiation models were classified into three categories including meteorological parameter model，spatial interpolation model，DEM solar model. Principles and calculation methods of three type model were presented. The applicability of three models in building energy efficiency field was analyzed. The future of solar radiation for building energy efficiency analysis was predicted.