Distribution Of Solar Energy On Earth

The planets intercept minute fractions of this energy the amount depending on their size and distance from the sun.

Distribution of solar energy on earth.

Earth s energy balance will enable you to understand radiative equilibrium. The energy from sun is distributed by radiation and convection. These are illustrated in figure 2 and also described briefly hereunder with respect to the northern hemisphere with the understanding that the same conditions apply to. Nuclear fusion deep within the sun releases a tremendous amount of energy that is slowly transferred to the solar surface from which it is radiated into space.

You will also be able to recognize that the temperature of earth depends on the a. Some of the radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere while some is reflected by the atmosphere and clouds. Solar radiation distribution of radiant energy from the sun. The sun is generally considered to produce a constant amount of power although there are small variances in the output energy depending on sunspot cycles with a surface intensity of expressed in units of power per unit area as the sun s rays spread into space this radiation becomes less and less intense as an inverse square law.

Of total solar radiation on a global scale is divided in terms of intensity into four broad belts around the earth. The sun s radiation reaches the earth in a non homogeneous way because of its interaction with the atmosphere and the angle of incidence of sunrays. There are several things that can happen to the sun s energy as it reaches our planet. The solar constant is a measure of flux density is the amount of incoming solar electromagnetic radiation per unit area that would be incident on a plane perpendicular to the rays at a distance of one astronomical unit au roughly the mean distance from the sun to earth.

Calculating solar energy to surface energy from sun to earth. Distribution of solar radiations the sun will illuminate and heat the earth until its hydrogen reserves are depleted i e. The earth s surface reflects a small percentage of the sun s energy but the vast majority is absorbed by the surface of the earth. In approximately 5 billion years.

The solar irradiance is measured in watt per square metre w m 2 in si units solar irradiance is often integrated over a given time period in order to report the radiant energy emitted into the surrounding environment. This contrasts with centralized generation where solar electricity is produced by a large plant and then distributed to consumers through a power distribution network grid. Distributed solar actually means distributed generation of solar power. Solar energy world distribution regions for application.

The greater the angle the greater the amount of thermal energy that reaches the ground per unit of surface area. Solar electricity produced by households using rooftop systems is referred to as distributed solar.