LECTURE 2.3: Hydrology: Solar Radiation Flashcards
It is the energy emitted by the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves and travels through space. It encourages photosynthesis, evaporation, and hydrologic cycle.
Solar Radiation
It is the amount of solar radiation received by the surface. It is typically measured in watts per sq.m.
Solar Irradiance
What influences solar radiation?
Type of wave
Time of day
Seasons
Cloud
Latitude
Altitude
Atmospheric Circulation
It is another term for solar radiation or solar energy. It can be measured in different ways, including by the amount of solar radiation that is received by a surface
Solar Irradiation
What is the composition of solar radiation?
Visible light
Ultraviolet Radiation
Infrared Radiation
Other Components
• X-ray
• Gamma Rays
• Radiowaves
These are shorter wavelength and beyond violet in the color spectrum
Ultraviolet Radiation
These are longer wavelength and beyond red in the color spectrum
Infrared Radiation
What is the importance of solar radiation?
• Essential energy source
• Life support
What are the factors influencing solar radiation ?
Atmospheric Factors
Geographical Factors
Seasonal Variations
What are the factors under atmospheric Factors?
Atmospheric Composition
Aerosols and Particles
What are the sources of aerosols?
Natural Sources
Anthropogenic Sources (Artificial Sources)
What are the factors under geographical factors?
Latitude
Altitude
What are the factors under seasonal variations?
Earth’s Tilt and Seasons
Sun Path and Solar Declination
It happens when latitude is ahead and shifting from the tropic of Cancer to the tropic of Capricorn
Solar Declination
What are the different atmospheric effects?
Direct Normal Irradiance
Diffuse Irradiance
Albedo Irradiance
Global Horizontal Irradiance
Global In-plane Irradiance
It is an atmospheric effect where radiation from the sun reaches the earth without scattering
Direct Normal Irradiance
It is an atmospheric effect where radiation is scattered by the atmosphere and clouds arrive from all directions
Diffuse Irradiance
It is an atmospheric effect where a direct or diffuse radiation is reflected from the soil or nearby surfaces (lakes, snow etc )
Albedo Irradiance
It is an atmospheric effect where the total amount of shortwave radiation is received from above by the horizontal surface. It includes both Direct Normal Irradiance and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance
Global Horizontal Irradiance
It is an atmospheric effect where the total amount of radiation is received from above by an inclined surface
Global In-plane Irradiance
What are the different instruments used to measure solar radiation?
Pyranometer
Pyrheliometer
Spectoradiometer
It is a device that can be used to measure both beam (direct) radiation and diffuse radiation
Pyranometer
It is a device used for measuring direct beam radiation at normal incidence
Pyrheliometer
It is a device used to measure solar radiation spectrally resolved
Spectoradiometer
