Solar Energy Incident On Earth

Solar energy is incident on the top of earth s atmosphere at the rate of about 1 364 watts on every square meter w m 2.

Solar energy incident on earth. The total amount of solar energy incident on earth is vastly in excess of the world s energy requirements and could satisfy all future energy needs if suitably harnessed. Rough estimates of the solar energy available at the earth s surface. Solar energy radiation from the sun capable of producing heat causing chemical reactions or generating electricity. From this fact calculate the total rate at which solar energy arrives at earths.

Of the 340 w m of solar radiation received by the earth an average of 77 w m is reflected back to space by clouds and the atmosphere and 23 w m is reflected by the surface albedo leaving 240 w m of solar energy input to the earth s energy budget. The solar constant is a conventional measure of mean tsi at a distance of one astronomical unit au. 0 begingroup the daily. There are several measured types of solar irradiance.

Solar energy is harvested by capturing light for direct photovoltaic conversion into electricity or as thermal energy heat water heating space heating and other uses. Ask question asked 7 years 3 months ago. Active 4 years 7 months ago. On a perfectly clear or cloudless day when the sun is directly overhead or at the zenith solar irradiation is still reduced due to absorption 16 and reflection 6 by particles in earth s atmosphere.

Viewed 11k times 1. Total solar irradiance tsi is a measure of the solar power over all wavelengths per unit area incident on the earth s upper atmosphere it is measured perpendicular to the incoming sunlight. Solar energy is incident on the top of earth s atmosphere at the rate of about 1 364 watts on every square meter w m 2. Direct normal irradiance dni or beam.

This energy effectively falls on the cross sectional area of the planet. The solar constant is the average extraterrestrial insolation at the edge of the atmosphere. The earth presents a disc of area nr 2 to the sun therefore the total amount of extraterrestrial insolation incident on the earth is i sc nr 2. This gives the earth a mean net albedo specifically its bond albedo of 0 306.

The earth s radius is 6 37 10 6 m. This energy effectively falls on the cross sectional area of the planet. From this fact calculate the total rate at which solar energy arrives at earths.