SOLAR ENERGY

TECHNOLOGIES

 Direct / Beam
Diffuse radiation
Global / Total solar radiation = Direct
+ Diffuse
Ground Reflected radiation

Solar Constant
Extraterrestrial radiation (G0n)
Solar Constant (Gsc)
The amount of energy received from the sun per
unit time, over one unit area perpendicular to the
direction of propagation, at earths mean distance
from sun, outside the atmosphere
1367 W/m2

G0n = Gsc (1 + 0.033 cos (360 * n / 365))

n is the day number

 Tilt of the earth causes the movement of

sun of 23.45 degree above and below
Equator

 Seasons are caused by the tilt of the

Earth's axis of rotation
Northern hemisphere is tilted toward
the Sun and experiences summer
Six months later, when the Earth is on
the opposite side of the Sun, the
northern hemisphere is tilted away
from the Sun and experiences winter

Tilt, orbital rotation, daily revolution

accounts for the distribution of solar
radiation on earths surface and its
change in day length

 Solstice dates on which Earth's axis is most

directly tilted either toward or away from the
Sun (21 June, 21 December)

 Equinox days on which day and night are

of equal duration (20 March, 22 September)