Solar Energy In The Atmosphere

Using solar energy can have a positive indirect effect on the environment when solar energy replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources that have larger effects on the environment.

Solar energy in the atmosphere. When it reaches the earth some is reflected back to space by clouds some is absorbed by the atmosphere and some is absorbed at the earth s surface. The solar constantis a conventional measure of mean tsi at a distance of one astronomical unit au. Passive solar energy techniques take advantage of this natural heating and cooling process. The total solar energy absorbed by earth s atmosphere oceans and land masses is approximately 3 850 000 exajoules ej per year.

Photosynthesis captures approximately 3 000 ej per year in biomass. The lowest energy travels through the atmosphere to the ground. Homes and other buildings use passive solar energy to distribute heat efficiently and inexpensively. The approximate average value cited 1 3608 0 0005 kw m which is 81 65 kj m per minute is equivalent to approximately 1 951 calories per minute per.

Solar irradiance is measured by satellites above earth s atmosphere and is then adjusted using the inverse square law to infer the magnitude of solar irradiance at one astronomical unit au to evaluate the solar constant. Energy released from the sun is emitted as shortwave light and ultraviolet energy. The three types are. The thermosphere or the upper atmosphere is the height region above 85 km while the region between the tropopause and the mesopause is the middle atmosphere stratosphere and mesosphere where absorption of solar uv radiation generates the temperature maximum near 45 km altitude and causes the ozone layer.

The atmosphere in particular filters out over 70 of solar ultraviolet especially at the shorter wavelengths. Total solar irradiance tsi is a measure of the solar powerover all wavelengths per unit area incident on the earth s upper atmosphere. The transfer of heat energy within the atmosphere hydrosphere and the earth s surface and interior occurs as a result of radiation convection and conduction. The second highest energy is also mostly stopped in the atmosphere.

Sunlight at the top of earth s atmosphere is composed by total energy of about 50 infrared light 40 visible light and 10 ultraviolet light. Temperature differences in the atmosphere are a result of the way solar energy is absorbed as it moves through the atmosphere. It is measured perpendicularto the incoming sunlight. Of the solar energy that reaches the outer atmosphere uv wavelengths have the greatest energy.

The highest energy ultraviolet does not reach the planet s surface at all. In 2002 this was more energy in one hour than the world used in one year. At night when the sun sets and the atmosphere has cooled the materials release their heat back into the atmosphere.