Solar power (also known as solar energy)
uses Solar Radiation emitted from our sun. Solar power,
a renewable energy source, has been used in many traditional
technologies for centuries, and is in widespread use where
other power supplies are absent, such as in remote locations
and in space.
Solar energy is currently used in a number
of applications:
* Heat (hot water, building heat, cooking)
* Electricity generation (photovoltaics, heat engines)
* Transportation (solar car)
* Desalination of seawater
* Photosynthesis by plants
While traveling through the atmosphere,
6% of the incoming solar radiation (insolation) is reflected
and 16% is absorbed resulting in a peak irradiance at
the equator of 1,020 W/m². Average atmospheric conditions
(clouds, dust, pollutants) further reduce insolation by
20% through reflection and 3% through absorption. Atmospheric
conditions not only reduce the quantity of insolation
reaching the Earth's surface but also affect the quality
of insolation by diffusing incoming light and altering
its spectrum.
