Question

What is insolation?

Answer 1

Hint: Generally, insolation is expressed two ways. The angle of insolation keeps on changing throughout the year due to the Earth's tilted rays that stay the same as Earth orbits the Sun.

Complete Answer:

-Insolation is the percentage of solar radiation that is obtained by a planet. Some of this energy is absorbed or reflected by the atmosphere and some reaches the surface.

-Insolation is an estimation of the solar energy that is incident on a specified area over a period of time.

-Insolation is solar radiation received in the Earth's atmosphere or at its surface. Nearly 52 per cent of this insolation reaches the earth's surface. The rest is consumed by water vapour, dust and clouds, or is reflected by the Earth's surface and dispersed by air particles.

-Insolation affects temperature. The more the insolation, the higher the temperature. It is crucial in maximizing the outcome of solar panels which absorb and convert this energy.

- The amount of insolation decreases towards the poles. It is caused by vertical sunshine at the equator but with increase in latitude, the rays become more and more slanting.

-The intensity of solar radiation is primarily a function of the angle of incidence, the angle at which the Sun's rays strike the Earth's surface.

Note: Only 51% of the insolation of the earth reaches the earth surface and 35% of the rest 49% is reflected back to the atmosphere. It is calculated in kilowatt-hours per square meter per day.