Solar Radiation

The Sun • Solar Radiation • Sun-

Earth Relationships • Array
Orientation • Solar Radiation Data
Sets • Estimating Array Performance

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 A false color image
of the sun enhances
the turbulent nature
of the sun’s
photosphere,
including a roiling
surface, sunspots,
and giant flares.

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 Even over the vast distance, an enormous
amount of energy reaches Earth from the sun.

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 Solar irradiance is
solar power per unit
area.

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 The inverse square law states that irradiance is
reduced in proportion to the inverse square of
the distance from the source.

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 Solar irradiation
equals the total solar
irradiance over time.

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 The electromagnetic
spectrum is the
range of all types of
electromagnetic
radiation, which vary
with wavelength.

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 The wavelength
distribution of
extraterrestrial
solar radiation
forms a spectral
signature unique to
the sun.

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 Solar radiation
entering Earth’s
atmosphere consists
of direct, diffuse,
and albedo
radiation.

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 Air mass is a
representation of
the amount of
atmosphere
radiation that must
pass through to
reach Earth’s
surface.

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 Peak sun hours is an
equivalent measure of
total solar irradiation in a
day.
 For example, a day with an
average irradiance of 600
W/m2 over 8 hr may only
reach peak sun condition
for an hour or less around
noon. However, the total
irradiation of 4800 Wh/m2
(600 W/m2 × 8 hr = 4800
Wh/m2) is equivalent to
4.8 peak sun hours (4800
Wh/m2 ÷ 1000 W/m2 =
4.8 peak sun hr)

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 Insolation (solar
irradiation received
over a period of time,
kWh/m2/day) maps
rate locations by their
average daily peak
sun hours.

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 The atmosphere
absorbs
extraterrestrial
radiation at certain
wavelengths,
resulting in an
altered spectral
distribution for
terrestrial radiation.

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 A pyranometer
measures total
global solar
irradiance from the
whole sky.

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 Diffuse solar
irradiance can be
measured by
adding a shadowing
device to a
pyranometer, which
blocks the direct
component of total
irradiance.

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 Handheld
pyranometers use
less precise sensors
than precision
pyranometers but
are more suitable for
field measurements.

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 A pyrheliometer
measures the
direct component
of solar irradiance,
which is important
when installing
concentrating
collectors.

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 The ecliptic plane is formed by Earth’s elliptical orbit
around the sun.
 In one year, Earth makes a slightly elliptical orbit around
the sun. Perihelion is the point in Earth’s orbit when it is
closest to the sun. Aphelion is the point in Earth’s orbit
when it is farthest from the sun. Perihelion occurs around
January 3 and aphelion occurs around July 4.

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 The equatorial plane is tipped 23.5° from the
ecliptic plane. As Earth revolves around the
sun, this orientation produces a varying solar
declination.

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 The summer solstice
occurs when the
Northern
Hemisphere is tipped
towards the sun. The
winter solstice
occurs when the
Northern
Hemisphere is tipped
away from the sun.

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 The fall and spring
equinoxes occur
when the sun is
directly in line with
the equator.

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 Two angles are used to define the sun’s
position, relative to an observer on Earth:
Solar azimuth and altitude angles are used to
describe the sun’s location in the sky.

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 Array orientation can be described using
azimuth and tilt angles.

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 Energy production at certain times of the year
can be optimized by adjusting the array tilt
angle.

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 The average
seasonal declinations
define the optimal
tilt angles for those
periods.

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