Skip to main content Accessibility help
Internet Explorer 11 is being discontinued by Microsoft in August 2021. If you have difficulties viewing the site on Internet Explorer 11 we recommend using a different browser such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apple Safari or Mozilla Firefox.

Chapter 4: The Solar Energy Resource

Chapter 4: The Solar Energy Resource

pp. 122-138

Authors

, Cardiff University, , University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Resources available Unlock the full potential of this textbook with additional resources. There are free resources and Instructor restricted resources available for this textbook. Explore resources
  • Add bookmark
  • Cite
  • Share

Extract

Radiation from the sun ultimately drives most of the forms of renewable energy discussed in this book, and this chapter describes the solar energy resource and how it is quantified. Direct and diffuse radiation are described with examples of irradiance and insolation (irradiation). The motion of the earth around the sun is described and the position of the sun as seen from the earth is illustrated. The geocentric or earth-centred representation of earth–sun geometry is used to explain the optimal orientation of a solar energy collector. Equations are provided to determine the location of the sun from a point on the earth. The solar spectrum is described and the air mass concept explained. This short chapter is supported by 4 examples, 10 questions with answers and full solutions in the accompanying online material. Further reading and online resources are identified.

Keywords

  • solar radiation
  • solar resource
  • irradiance
  • insolation or irradiation
  • direct and diffuse radiation
  • sun–earth geometry

About the book

Access options

Review the options below to login to check your access.

Purchase options

eTextbook
US$64.99
Hardback
US$120.00
Paperback
US$64.99

Have an access code?

To redeem an access code, please log in with your personal login.

If you believe you should have access to this content, please contact your institutional librarian or consult our FAQ page for further information about accessing our content.

Also available to purchase from these educational ebook suppliers