Reference no: EM133363785
Case Study: The solar constant is approximately 1361Wm-2, and based on the Earth-Sun geometry, the amount of solar radiation received at the top of the atmosphere, termed insolation, for any given day and time can be calculated. This requires the latitude, the declination, and a time correction to adjust for distance from the nearest meridian of longitude.
Insolation was calculated based on the Earth-Sun geometry. This data is in the hourly data column labeled 'Insolation (KEX, WM-2)'.
Incoming solar radiation (K↓) is in the hourly data column labeled 'Kdown (Wm-2)'.
Figure 1a, 1b and 1c represents hourly insolation (Wm-2) and incoming solar radiation (Wm-2) levels measured on January 1st (1a), July 16th (1b) and August 3rd (1c) in 2018
Questions:
a) Describe the differences in insolation for the three dates.
b) Describe the differences in K↓ for the three dates.
c) Explain why the K↓ values are less than insolation and any pattern differences.
5) What might the cloud conditions be on each of the three days? How do you know?