Understanding Solar Radiation

Solar Radiation or Solar Irradiance is the power per unit area received from the Sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range of the measuring instrument. Irradiance may be measured in space or at the Earth's surface after atmospheric absorption and scattering. It is measured perpendicular to the incoming sunlight from the sun.

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Understanding Solar Radiation

The Photovoltaic Effect

History of Solar Energy

How Solar Cells Work

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*Annual PV Solar Radiation in the United States

Solar Radiation is made up of the sun’s electromagnetic energy of various wavelengths. As the radiation enters the earth's atmosphere, approximately half is reflected into space while the other half passes through to the earth’s surface. The air molecules in our atmosphere react with incoming solar radiation, thus scattering the light and absorbing most of the harmful rays. The rest that make it through, the ‘filtered energy’ is what see and feel as sunlight.

Solar Radiation that reaches Earth acts as its main source of energy in a multitude of ways. Namely, it warms the Earth's surface, regulating weather systems and providing a habitable environment for various lifeforms to exist, and thrive in.

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