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Solar Energy:

Is radiant energy.
It releases its energy when it interacts with other matter. (when it hits something)
Consists of electromagnetic waves at different wavelengths which together make up the electromagnetic spectrum.
RADIATION is the process by which sun’s energy reaches us.

SOLAR RADIATION

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INSOLATION

A region’s climate is largely determined by the amount of solar radiation striking the earth’s surface (Insolation).

Insolation is determined by the angle at which the light strikes.

This is why it’s hotter at the equator than at the poles.

Less energy per m²

More energy per m²

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December in Nunavut, Canada

December in Mazatlan, Mexico

Less energy per m²

More energy per m²

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World Insolation Map

This map shows the amount of solar energy in hours, received each day on an optimally tilted surface during the worst month of the year.�(Based on accumulated worldwide solar insolation data.)

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This refers to the degree by which Earth’s poles (north & south) are tilted perpendicular of the plane of its orbit.

Earth has an angle of inclination of 23.5^o.

ANGLE OF INCLINATION

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What causes the seasons?

It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere when the north pole is tilted toward the sun

It’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere when the north pole is tilted away from the sun

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Earth is divided into latitudes that are imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator.

The equator is at latitude 0^o, and the poles are at latitudes 90^o N and S.

The angle of inclination causes a variation in the number of hours of daylight at different latitudes.

There are more hours of daylight, in Canada, when the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun.

The tropics are 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator.

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE

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Solstice is when the poles are tilted toward or away from the sun.

The summer solstice that occurs on June 21-22 is the day that has the most hours of daylight in the northern latitudes, but the least hours of daylight in the southern latitudes.

SOLSTICE

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Equinox is when the number of daylight hours is equal to the number of hours at night. (equi = equal) (nox = night)

EQUINOX

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The angle between a ray falling on a surface and the line perpendicular to that surface.

Equator: angle of incidence is of incoming solar radiation is 0^o.

As you move to the poles,

the angle of incidence of the sun’s rays increases.

At larger angles of incidence, the same amount of radiation is spread out over a greater surface area.

Polar latitudes always receive less solar energy than the equator.

Angle of Incidence

The earth's

angle of inclination

controls the incidence angle of the sun.

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ALBEDO

Light from the sun is either absorbed and converted to heat, or reflected back to space.
Albedo is a measure of how much light is reflected by a surface.
Snow, ice, clouds and suspended particles (e.g. volcanic ash) have high albedos.

When light is reflected back to space, it can have a global cooling effect.

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Hi, Al Bedo, in your white tuxedo…

Looking cool!

White and light colors have a high albedo number and reflect heat therefore they stay cool. Just like Al Bedo.

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