Solar Energy And The Atmosphere Pdf

Incoming short and intermediate wavelength radiation may be absorbed by gases in the atmosphere reflected back into space from the atmosphere or earth s surface or absorbed by earth s surface.

Solar energy and the atmosphere pdf.

The amount of solar energy received at the top of our atmosphere. The three types are. The earth atmosphere energy balance is the balance between incoming energy from the sun and outgoing energy from the earth. Solar radiation and the atmosphere solar radiation occurs in a range of wavelengths represented by the electromagnetic spectrum.

The atmosphere and its elements clouds particles molecules reflect about 26 units back out to space and absorb another 19 units. Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun that is harnessed using a range of ever evolving technologies such as solar heating photovoltaics solar thermal energy solar architecture molten salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis. Solar irradiance is the power per unit area received from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation as reported in the wavelength range of the measuring instrument. Of the solar energy that reaches the outer atmosphere uv wavelengths have the greatest energy.

Only about 7 of solar radiation is in the uv wavelengths. Energy released from the sun is emitted as shortwave light and ultraviolet energy. The highest energy ultraviolet does not reach the planet s surface at all. The second highest energy is also mostly stopped in the atmosphere.

The remainder of the energy passes through the atmosphere with much of it 51 units being absorbed by the earth s surface.