Solar radiation is the primary energy source for ecosystems. The energy from net radiation (R_n) drives an ecosystem's material cycling and energy flow. Radiation with a wavelength of 0.4-0.7 μm is called photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and can be used by plants for photosynthesis. Southern subtropical, evergreen broad-leaved forests play an important and representative role in the study of forest radiation. This study analyzed temporal changes and distribution of solar radiation components based on radiation observations in Maofeng Mountain Forest Park, Guangzhou in 2010. Results show the diurnal variation in global radiation (K↓), reflected radiation (K↑) and R_n can all be represented by typical single-peak curves. Atmospheric inverse-radiation (L↓) and forest long-wave radiation (L↑) can be represented by cosine curves while effective long-wave radiation (L_n) can be represented by an undulating curve. Gross radiation for each type measured, except for L_n, was greater in the rainy season than in the dry season. Annual gross K↓ in the evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Maofeng Mountain Forest Park was 4,201.22 MJ/m², of which R_n, K↑ and L_n accounted for 63%, 11% and 26% of the radiation, respectively. Annual gross downward radiation was 16,374.08 MJ/m², of which L↓ and K↓ accounted for 74.34% and 25.66% of the radiation, respectively. Annual gross upward radiation was 13,726.77 MJ/m², of which L↑ and K↑ accounted for 96.55% and 3.45% of the radiation, respectively. Diurnal variation in the R_n/K↓ ratio showed an inverted U-shaped curve while the L_n/K↓ and K/K↓ ratios showed U-shaped curves. Daily mean PAR above the canopy (PAR_a) in the dry season was less than in the rainy season, and PAR under the canopy (PAR_b) showed an opposite seasonal pattern. The coefficient of variation (CV) for PAR_a was less than for PAR_b in both the dry and rainy seasons. Diurnal variation of PAR_a showed a typical single-peak curve, while the PAR_b curve was similar but with a weak double-peak appearing at noon. The location of the PAR transmissivity peak mostly coincided with the peak for K↓ especially in the rainy season. Daily mean PAR transmissivity on rainy days was greater than on clear days, especially in the dry season. Daily mean PAR transmissivity in the rainy season was greater than in the dry season. PAR_a and PAR_b had a significant linear regression relationship on daily scale, but did not on monthly scale. PAR_a and K↓ had a significant linear regression on both daily and monthly scales. The linear regression relationship between PAR_b and K↓ was only significant on a daily scale. The PAR/K↓ ratio of the evergreen broad-leaved forest in Maofeng Mountain was about 20% which was far less than the universal value of 50%. A comparison of K↓ and R_n at this site with the forests in different geographical positions and altitudes such as the tropical seasonal rain forest in Xishuangbanna, the coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest in Dinghu Mountain, and the evergreen broad-leaved forest in Ailao Mountain, revealed the evergreen broad-leaved forest in Maofeng Mountain had the lowest annual gross K↓ and the highest R_n/K↓ ratio.