ELEMENTS OF CLIMATE

SOLAR RADIATION

CLIMATE & SITE ANALYSIS

Solar Radiation
 Heat
 Heat is a form of energy appearing as molecular movement in
substances or as “radiant heat” a certain wavelength band of
electromagnetic radiation in space (700 to 10000 nm)

Heat
 Heat

Heat
 Heat
Wavelength
Region Comments
range (approx.)
Long-wave >10 m Includes traditional AM radio region.
radio
Short-wave 10 cm - 10 m Used for TV, FM, and other communication purposes.
radio
Microwave 1 mm - 10 cm Present limit of radio technology for most purposes.
Far infrared 30 mm - 1 mm 3 K radiation fills universe.
Thermal 3 mm - 30 mm Thermal emission of earth and planets.
infrared
Near infrared 700 nm - 3mm Solar and stellar emission.
Heat
Visible 400 nm -700nm Peak of solar radiation. Visible to human eye,
Light standard photographic film and CCD video detectors.
Ultraviolet 200 nm -400nm Divided at 300 nm by atmospheric (ozone) cutoff.
Appreciable solar flux causes sunburn.
Vacuum UV 10 nm - 200 nm Very strong absorption in matter, hence very difficult to
(EUV) observe.
X-rays 120 eV-100keV Produced by electron beams in X-ray tubes, and by
inner atomic transitions.
g-rays 100 keV Produced by nuclear and other high energy
processes. Can penetrate up to meters in water.
 Heat
 Heat energy is measured in Joules or Kgm2/s2.
Item Description Unit
Velocity a movement of unit length in unit time m/s
Acceleration a unit change in velocity in unit time m/s2
Force That which can cause a unit Kgm/s2 Or
acceleration of a body having a unit Newton
mass
Work Unit work carried out if a unit force is Kgm2/s2 Or

acting over a unit length Joule

Energy It is the potential or capacity for Kgm2/s2 Or

carrying out work Joule

Heat Amount of heat necessary to raise 1 Btu = 1055.06 J
Energy the temperature of 1lb of water by 1
deg F
Heat Amount of heat necessary to raise K Cal = 4186.8 J
Energy the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1
deg C
 Heat
Specific Heat (Cp)
 It is the amount of heat energy necessary to cause unit
temperature increase of a unit mass of the substance
measured in J/Kg°C
 Water has the highest specific heat of 1 Kcal = 4186.8 J/Kg°C
 The higher the specific heat, the more heat it will absorb for a
given increase in temperature.
Material Sp. Heat Material Sp. Heat Material Sp. Heat
in J/Kg°C in J/Kg°C in J/Kg°C
Hydrogen 14304 Aluminum 902 Iron 450
Helium 5193 Oxygen 918 Silver 235
Cellulose, 1300- Charcoal, 840 Tin 228
cotton, wood 1500 Brick
pulp
Soil, wet 1480 Soil – dry 800 Platinum 133
Leather 1500 Marble , 880 Gold 129
Concrete
 Heat
Latent Heat(J/Kg)
 It is the amount of heat energy absorbed by unit mass of the
substance at change state (Solid to Liquid or Liquid to
gaseous) without any change in the temperature.

Change of state Latent heat

Water Fusion (0 deg C ice to 0 deg C water) 335 KJ/kg
Evaporation at 100 deg C 2261 KJ/kg

Thermal Capacity of a body (J/°C)

 It is the product of its mass and specific heat of the material.

Calorific value (J/Kg)

 It is the amount of heat released by the unit mass of a fuel or
food material by its complete combustion.
 Heat Flow
Heat energy flows from high temperature zone to a low temperature zone until
a uniform thermal field is achieved.
Convection Conduction Electromagnetic
Heat is transferred by Heat is transferred by radiation is emitted by a
the bodily movement direct contact of two heated surface in all
of a carrying medium, bodies directions without any
(gas or liquid) medium to carry it.
 Heat Flow Types
Convection
 Heat is transferred by the bodily movement of a carrying
medium, usually a gas or liquid.
 This movement may be self generating due to thermal forces
(temperature differences). For example, convection currents in
wind generation).
 It depends on
 Temperature difference (warm & cold)
 Rate of movement of the carrying medium in Kg/s
 Specific heat of the carrying medium in J/kgºC
 Heat Flow Types
Conduction
 In conduction through bodies in direct contact, the spread of the
molecular movement constitutes the flow of heat.
 The rate at which the molecular movement spreads varies with
different thermal conductivity of materials (a property of the
material)
 It is measured as the heat flow through unit time through
different unit area of unit thickness of the material, when there
is unit temperature difference between two sides.
 It is measured in W/mºC.
 Heat Flow Types
Thermal Radiation
 Electromagnetic radiation is emitted by a heated surface in all
directions and travels directly to its point of absorption at the
speed of light.
 It does not require any medium to carry it.
 The intensity of radiant energy is governed by the temperature
of the emitting surface & the nature of the surface as well.
 A blackened surface is an excellent emitter as well as an
excellent absorber.
 If the same surface is silvered, it becomes a poor emitter and a
poor absorber. A blackbody is one that absorbs all the radiant
energy that falls on it.
 Radiation is measured in W/m2.
 Heat Flow Rate (Power)

 Power is the ability to carry out a certain work in unit time.

 Power is rate of energy expenditure or rate of energy flow.

 It is measured in Joules per second. (J/s) or Watts (W) .

 Examples
Flow of heat through a wall,
The heat removed by a cooling plant,
The radiant heat flow-from a electric radiator.
The flow of electricity through a light bulb,
Sound energy emitted by a loud speaker.

 Power is measured in Btu/h, kcal/h or hp.

 Heat Flow Rate (Power)
Units of Power Conversion in Watts
1 hp ( british ) 745.7 W
1 hp ( metric ) 735.5 W
1 Btu/h 0.293 W
1 kcal/h 1.163 W
1 Ton of refrigeration 3516 W

 1 ton of refrigeration
= Cooling power of 1 ton of ice melting in 24 hours.
= (2000 x 144) / 24 Btu/h
= 12000 Btu/h
= 12000 x 0.293 W
= 3516 W
= 3.56 Kw

(1 pound of ice requires 144 Btu of heat to melt it into water of same
temperature; 1 ton = 2000 pounds)
 Density of Heat Flow Rate ( Watt/sqm)

 In many cases there is no defined are through which the

heat flow could be considered. For example, Solar radiation
or flow of heat through a wall of unspecified size.

 The heat flow rate can be measured in relation to a unit

area. i.e. the density or intensity.

 The intensity of Solar radiation measured in Watt/Sqm

(W/m2)
 Solar Radiation
 Insolation : The rate of delivery of direct solar radiation per
unit horizontal surface.

 It is also known as solar irradiation, solar exposure.

 It is expressed in W/m2.
 The intensity of radiation reaching the upper surface of the
atmosphere is taken as the solar constant.
 The present accepted value of solar constant derived from
space-based measurements is 1367 ± 7 W/sqm
 Factors affecting Solar Radiation – Latitude
Latitude & Longitude
 A geographic coordinate system enables every location on Earth to be
specified by a set of numbers, letters or symbols.
 A common choice of coordinates is latitude, longitude and elevation.
 Factors affecting Solar Radiation – Latitude
The Declination Angle
 The plane that includes the earth 's equator is called the equatorial plane.
 If a line is drawn between the center of the earth and the sun, the angle
between this line and the earth's equatorial plane is called the declination
angle.
 Maximum intensity of
solar radiation is received
on a plane normal to the
direction of radiation.
 The mid-day sun is almost
overhead within the
tropical area but the sun's
rays reach the earth at an
angle outside the tropics.
 Temperature diminishes
from equatorial regions to
the poles.
 Factors affecting Solar Radiation – Latitude
 Due to the tilted position, the area receiving the maximum intensity moves
north and south between the tropic of cancer (23.5°N) and the tropic of
Capricorn (23.5°S) during earth’s revolution around the sun causing
seasons.

 Summer solstice (21 Jun) marks  Winter solstice (22 Dec) marks
the beginning of summer in the the beginning of winter in the
Northern Hemisphere. Longest Northern Hemisphere. Shortest
daylight. daylight.
 Factors affecting Solar Radiation – Latitude
 Twice a year, line from the earth to the sun lies on the equatorial plane . The
declination angle becomes zero.

Vernal Equinox on 21 March

marking the beginning of spring.

Autumnal Equinox on 23
September marking the start of
the fall/ Autumn.
 Factors affecting Solar Radiation – Latitude
Equinox

 At this point an observer on the equator would observe that the sun was
directly overhead at noontime.
Solar Radiation
 Solar Radiation
Radiation at the earth’s surface
 Solar Radiation Quality
 The spectrum of solar radiation extends from 290 to 2300nm.
 Ultra-violet radiation, 290 to 380 nm, producing photo-
chemical effects, bleaching, sun burn, etc.
 Visible light, 380(violet) to 700nm (red)
 Short infra red radiation 700 to 2300nm.
 Solar Radiation Quality
 The spectrum of solar radiation extends from 290 to 2300nm.
Solar radiation

Heat
 Solar Radiation at the earth’s surface
The amount of radiation received on the earth’s
surface is affected by :

1.Lambert's cosine law

2.Atmospheric depletion

3. Duration of sunshine
 Solar Radiation at the earth’s surface
The amount of radiation received on the earth’s surface is
affected by :

1.Lambert's cosine law : The intensity on a tilted surface

equals the normal intensity times the cosine of the angle of
incidence.
 Solar Radiation
2. Atmospheric depletion :
 The absorption of radiation by ozone, vapors and dust
particles in the atmosphere.
 About 51% of the Solar radiation is absorbed by the earth
(land & oceans)
 Earth Heat Balance
The earth’s surface releases heat by three processes :
1.By long-wave radiation to cold outer space.
2.By evaporation: the earth’s surface is cooled, as liquid water changes into
vapour and mixes with air.
3.By convection: air heated by contact with warm earthy surface becomes
lighter and rises to the upper atmosphere, where it dissipates its heat to space.
 Radiation at the earth’s surface
 The lower the solar altitude angle, the longer the path of
radiation through the atmosphere thus a smaller part reaches
the earth’s surface.
 Solar Radiation
 The energy is spread by the slanting rays over a greater area of
the earths surface and heating of each sqm is correspondingly
weaker.
 Factors affecting Solar Radiation – Latitude
 Due to the tilted position, the area receiving the maximum intensity moves
north and south between the tropic of cancer (23.5°N) and the tropic of
Capricorn (23.5°S) during earth’s revolution around the sun causing
seasons.

 Summer solstice (21 Jun) marks  Winter solstice (22 Dec) marks
the beginning of summer in the the beginning of winter in the
Northern Hemisphere. Longest Northern Hemisphere. Shortest
daylight. daylight.
 Solar Radiation
.
Areas Summer Winter Vernal Autumnal
solstice Solstice Equinox Equinox
21 June 22 Dec 22 Mar 23 Sep

Tropic of Longest Day Shortest Day Day & Night Day & Night
Cancer Equal Equal

Tropic of Shortest Day Longest Day Day & Night Day & Night
Capricorn Equal Equal

Equator Day & Night Day & Night Day & Night Day & Night
Equal Equal Equal Equal

North Pole 24 hour Day 24 hour Night Day & Night Day & Night
Equal Equal
South Pole 24 hour Night 24 hour Day Day & Night Day & Night
Equal Equal
 Solar Radiation
3. Duration of sunshine : Sunshine duration is the length of time that the
ground surface is irradiated by direct solar radiation.
 At the Equator, the daytime period is 12 hours, regardless of season.
 At the Tropics, the daytime duration varies from 6 -18 hours
 At the Poles, the daytime duration varies from 0 – 24 hours
 Solar Radiation Measurement
 Solar Radiation is measured in W/m2 or J/m2 s. Total radiation
received over a day is expressed in MJ/m2day.

 1 Kwh/m2 = 1000 W x 3600 s/m2

= 1000 J/s x 3600 s/m2
= 36,00,000 J/m2
= 3.6 MJ/m2

 For detailed design, one must know following

 Hourly totals of (MJ/m2h) values for a typical day
 Hourly average intensities in (Kwh/m2) of each month

 For India, the average daily total value for global solar radiation
ranges from
3.4 – 6.2 Kwh/m2 or 12.24 - 22.32 MJ/m2
Measurement of Solar Radiation
 Solar Radiation Measurement
Global Solar Radiant Exposure (Global Solar Irradiation):

 India, on an average, receives about 7000 MJ/m2 (1944

Kwh/m2) of global solar radiant exposure in a year over most
parts of the country.

 India, receives about an average daily of 18 MJ/m2 (5

Kwh/m2 ) over most parts of the country.

 The annual highest dosage is over the Rann of Kutch which

receives over 8000 MJ/m2 (2222 Kwh/m2) in a year or an
average daily of 22 MJ/m2 (6.1 Kwh/m2) .

 The Kashmir valley receives about 16.5 MJ/m2 (4.58

Kwh/m2) per day
Solar Radiation Measurement
 Measurement of Solar Radiation

The daily totals of available solar radiation are actually

greatest at the poles in mid summer ( DUE TO LONG DAYS)
although the total over the year is about 2.5 times greater at
the equator than at the poles.
Solar Radiation
Measurement of Solar Radiation
 Components of Solar Radiation

Global Horizontal = Direct Normal + Diffuse Horizontal

Irradiance (GHI) Irradiance (DNI) x Cos θ Irradiance (DHI)
 Components of Solar Radiation

Global Horizontal = Direct Normal + Diffuse Horizontal

Irradiance (GHI) Irradiance (DNI) x Cos θ Irradiance (DHI)
 Solar Radiation Measuring Instruments
A radiometer absorbs solar radiation at its sensor, transforms it
into heat and measures the resulting amount of heat to
ascertain the level of solar radiation.

 Pyrheliometers measure direct solar radiation. (To

measure direct solar radiation correctly, its receiving surface
must be arranged to be normal to the solar direction.)

 A Pyranometer is used to measure global solar radiation

falling on a horizontal surface. Its sensor has a horizontal
radiation-sensing surface that absorbs solar radiation energy
from the whole sky and transforms this energy into heat.
 Sensors for Solar Irradiance Measurements
 Global horizontal insolation (GHI): Solar radiation
measured with an instrument mounted horizontally, so that it
sees the whole sky (direct plus diffuse).(Pyranometer)
 Sensors for Solar Irradiance Measurements
 Direct normal insolation (DNI) is measured using an
instrument that tracks the sun and shades out the diffuse, it
only records the direct component.(Pyrheliometer)
 Sensors for Solar Irradiance Measurements
 Diffuse horizontal insolation (DHI):Measured using an
instrument that has a shade to block out the direct radiation
 Sensors for Solar Irradiance Measurements

Global Horizontal = Direct Normal + Diffuse Horizontal

Irradiance (GHI) Irradiance (DNI) x Cos θ Irradiance (DHI)
 Solar Horizontal Radiation Measurement
Global Solar Radiation in Kwh/sqm for New Delhi
Time Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Daily
0.304 0.381 0.469 0.532 0.557 0.495 0.411 0.387 0.427 0.410 0.345 0.294
average
5:30 AM 0.000 0.000 0.001 0.010 0.030 0.036 0.026 0.012 0.003 0.000 0.000 0.000
6:30 AM 0.004 0.020 0.066 0.130 0.177 0.164 0.130 0.101 0.079 0.036 0.009 0.003
7:30 AM 0.096 0.163 0.260 0.339 0.383 0.339 0.275 0.243 0.248 0.202 0.128 0.085
8:30 AM 0.271 0.364 0.475 0.554 0.581 0.510 0.425 0.392 0.431 0.406 0.319 0.259
9:30 AM 0.433 0.540 0.655 0.727 0.746 0.657 0.549 0.512 0.587 0.581 0.495 0.425
10:30 AM 0.556 0.670 0.781 0.848 0.865 0.757 0.640 0.607 0.698 0.701 0.620 0.543
11:30 AM 0.618 0.727 0.845 0.910 0.925 0.809 0.672 0.640 0.757 0.764 0.685 0.605
12:30 PM 0.615 0.728 0.844 0.903 0.920 0.813 0.671 0.659 0.747 0.758 0.680 0.605
1:30 PM 0.552 0.659 0.765 0.833 0.844 0.750 0.606 0.595 0.689 0.692 0.613 0.538
2:30 PM 0.430 0.534 0.635 0.699 0.719 0.639 0.518 0.510 0.571 0.569 0.490 0.418
3:30 PM 0.268 0.358 0.458 0.523 0.547 0.483 0.412 0.392 0.417 0.391 0.315 0.255
4:30 PM 0.099 0.165 0.249 0.318 0.352 0.318 0.273 0.255 0.244 0.191 0.125 0.086
5:30 PM 0.005 0.021 0.064 0.122 0.158 0.159 0.141 0.107 0.074 0.033 0.010 0.003
Daily Total 3.947 4.949 6.098 6.916 7.247 6.434 5.338 5.025 5.545 5.324 4.489 3.825
No. of days 31 28 31 30 31 30 31 31 30 31 30 31
Monthly
122.4 138.6 189 207.5 224.7 193 165.5 155.8 166.4 165 134.7 118.6
total
Yearly total Highest 1981.016 Lowest
 Solar Horizontal Radiation Measurement
Global Solar Radiation in Kwh/sqm for Shimla
Time Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Daily
0.208 0.230 0.272 0.383 0.420 0.400 0.213 0.199 0.279 0.293 0.209 0.148
average
6:30 AM 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.028 0.043 0.023 0.003 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
7:30 AM 0.000 0.000 0.038 0.099 0.141 0.147 0.085 0.066 0.052 0.011 0.000 0.000
8:30 AM 0.061 0.096 0.144 0.233 0.275 0.27 0.152 0.134 0.157 0.134 0.071 0.039
9:30 AM 0.176 0.210 0.260 0.375 0.416 0.397 0.216 0.201 0.27 0.272 0.184 0.124
10:30 AM 0.292 0.322 0.370 0.508 0.545 0.513 0.272 0.259 0.375 0.406 0.293 0.209
11:30 AM 0.386 0.410 0.455 0.61 0.644 0.602 0.313 0.303 0.456 0.511 0.38 0.276
12:30 PM 0.439 0.459 0.501 0.666 0.698 0.651 0.335 0.326 0.501 0.569 0.428 0.314
1:30 PM 0.439 0.459 0.501 0.666 0.698 0.651 0.335 0.326 0.501 0.569 0.428 0.314
2:30 PM 0.386 0.410 0.455 0.61 0.644 0.602 0.313 0.303 0.456 0.511 0.38 0.276
3:30 PM 0.292 0.322 0.370 0.508 0.545 0.513 0.272 0.259 0.375 0.406 0.293 0.209
4:30 PM 0.176 0.210 0.260 0.375 0.416 0.397 0.216 0.201 0.27 0.272 0.184 0.124
5:30 PM 0.061 0.096 0.144 0.233 0.275 0.27 0.152 0.134 0.157 0.134 0.071 0.039
6:30 PM 0.000 0.000 0.038 0.099 0.141 0.147 0.085 0.066 0.052 0.011 0.000 0.000
Daily Total 2.708 2.994 3.498 4.883 5.325 5.056 2.684 2.515 3.570 3.795 2.712 1.924
No. of days 31 28 31 30 31 30 31 31 30 31 30 31
Monthly
83.948 83.832 108.438 146.49 165.075 151.68 83.204 77.965 107.1 117.645 81.36 59.644
total
Yearly total 1266.381
Highest Lowest
Solar Horizontal Radiation Measurement
Solar Horizontal Radiation Measurement
Solar Horizontal Radiation Measurement

Highest

Lowest
Solar Horizontal Radiation Measurement

Highest

Lowest
Solar Horizontal Radiation Measurement
Solar Horizontal Radiation Measurement
Solar Vertical Radiation Measurement
Solar Vertical Radiation Measurement

600

Vertical surface
Solar Vertical Radiation Measurement

600

Vertical surface
Solar Radiation Measurement on Vertical surface
Solar radiation in W/sqm on
vertical surface (S/SE/SW wall)
Date Time Solar
radiation
15 May 10 AM 50

12 PM 100

3 PM 0

21 Mar 10 AM 300

12 PM 400

3 PM 250

22 Dec 10 AM 500

12 PM 600

3 PM 450
600
Solar Radiation Measurement on Horizontal Surface
Solar radiation in W/sqm on
horizontal surface ( Roof )
Date Time Solar
radiation
15 May 10 AM 780

12 PM 900

3 PM 750

21 Mar 10 AM 700

12 PM 780

3 PM 520

22 Dec 10 AM 400

12 PM 500

3 PM 250
 List of symbols used in Solar Radiation Measurement
Item Symbol Description
m The relative path length of the solar beam through the
Air mass
atmosphere considering the vertical path length as unity.
w Depth of the liquid water which would result if all the water
Depth of
vapour in a vertical column of atmosphere, extending from the
perceptible
earth’s surface to the top of atmosphere, were condensed and
water
collected at the bottom
Intensity of I0n Intensity of extra-terrestrial solar radiation on a surface normal
extra- to the solar beam = 1367 W/m2
terrestrial
solar I0h Intensity of extra-terrestrial solar radiation on a horizontal
radiation surface
IDn Intensity of direct solar radiation on a surface normal to the solar
beam
Intensity of
direct solar IDh Intensity of direct solar radiation on a horizontal surface
radiation IDv Intensity of direct solar radiation on a vertical surface

IDs Intensity of direct solar radiation on a sloping surface

 List of symbols used in Solar Radiation Measurement
Item Symbol Description

Intensity of diffuse Idh Intensity of diffuse solar radiation on a horizontal surface

solar radiation Idv Intensity of diffuse solar radiation on a vertical surface
ID n / I0n TD Transmission factor for direct solar radiation (ratio of
ground and extra-terrestrial solar radiation)

Idh / I0h Tdh Transmission factor for diffuse solar radiation (ratio of
ground and extra-terrestrial solar radiation)

Idh / I0n Transmission factor for diffuse solar radiation with respect
Th to extra-terrestrial solar radiation normal to the solar beam

Al Solar Altitude
i Angle of incidence
HSA Angle between solar azimuth and a normal to the surface

Idg Intensity of diffuse solar radiation from the ground

ITh Total solar radiation on a horizontal surface

ITv Total solar radiation on a vertical surface

Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
Air mass (m)
 The relative path length of the solar beam through the
atmosphere considering the vertical path length as unity.
 When the sun is at zenith, the air mass is unity or Al = 90deg
 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
 Owing to the scattering & absorption, the solar radiation reahing
the earth is less than that available outside the earth’s
atmosphere.
 The reduction in intensity is depends on atmospheric
conditions ( amount of dust particles, water vapor, ozone
content, atmosphere pressure, etc) and solar altitude.

 The transmission factor of the atmosphere for direct solar

radiation under clear sky conditions at sea level (ratio of ground
and extra-terrestrial solar radiation)
TD = ID n / I0n

 ID n = Intensity of direct solar radiation on a surface normal to

the solar beam
 I0n = Intensity of extra-terrestrial solar radiation on a surface
normal to the solar beam = 1367 W/m2
 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
 Based on various research
works done, TD values have
been calculated for the following
atmospheric conditions :

Condition Value

Ozone depth 2.5 mm

Depth of 0, 10, 30,60

precipitable mm
water
Dust particles 0,200, 400,800
particles per
cm3
Air mass 1,2,3,4 and 5

Atmospheric 760 mm
pressure
 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
 For 30 mm precipitable water,
 400 dust particles per cm3
 air mass =2 ,
 TD = 0.5,

 For a TD value of 0.5,

Idn = Intensity of direct solar

radiation on a surface normal to
the solar beam

IDn = TD x I0n
= 0.5 x 1367 W/m2
= 683 W/m2
 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
 For 30 mm perceptible water,
 300 dust particles per cm3
 air mass m = cosec (Al) =
cosec (30) = 2,

 TD = 0.51,

 For a TD value of 0.51,

IDn = Intensity of direct solar

radiation on a surface normal to
the solar beam

IDn = TD x I0n
= 0.5 x 1353 W/m2
= 690 W/m2
 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
Calculation of Surface Intensity on any surface

I ‘ = IDn cos (i)

I’ = solar radiation intensity on surface,

i = angle between normal to the surface and solar beam.

Calculation of Surface Intensity For Horizontal surface

For horizontal surface, the angle i is the complement of altitude

angle. Thus, i = 90° - Al. The direct solar radiation on a horizontal
surface

IDh = IDn sin (AI)

 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
Calculation of Surface Intensity For Vertical surface
For vertical surface, the angle i is the angle of incidence.
<SOQ = i ,
< POQ = HSA, the angle between solar azimuth and wall normal
Cos (i) = Cos (HSA) X Cos (Al)

Intensity of direct solar radiation on a vertical surface IDv

IDv = IDn Cos (HSA) X Cos (Al)

IDv = IDn Cos (i)

ϒ

β δ
 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
Example Calculation of Surface Intensity For Vertical surface
Assuming
β is the angle of incidence.
δ the angle between solar azimuth and wall normal
ϒ is the altitude

Cos (β) = Cos (δ) x Cos (ϒ)

IDv = IDn Cos (δ) x Cos (ϒ)

= 683 x Cos (48°) x Cos (25°)

= 683 x Cos 53°
= 683 x 0.6018
= 411 W/m2
 Direct Radiation under clear sky conditions
Calculation of Surface Intensity For Sloping surface
If the surface is inclined at an angle θ to the horizontal plane,
then that angle of incidence β is given by the following equation

Cos (β) = [{Sin (ϒ) x Cos (θ)} + {Cos (ϒ) x Sin (θ) x Cos (δ)}]

IDs = IDn [{Sin (ϒ) x Cos (θ)} + {Cos (ϒ) x Sin (θ) x Cos (δ)}]

Intensity of direct solar radiation on a sloping surface IDs

δ = 48°
θ = 30°
ϒ = 25° θ θ = 30°

IDs = 683 x [{Sin25°x Cos30°} + {Cos25°x Sin30°x Cos 48°}]

= 683 x [{0.422 x 0.866} + {0.906x 0.5 x 0.669}]
= 683 x [0.365+ 0.303]
= 456 W/m2
 Diffuse Solar Radiation under clear sky conditions
 The diffuse component is produced by scattering of radiation by
the atmosphere through a large range of angles, most of it in
the direction of the solar beam.

 The diffuse component is 20 -30 % of the direct component.

 TD Transmission factor for direct solar radiation (ratio of ground and

extra-terrestrial solar radiation) = ID n / I0n

 Tdh Transmission factor for diffuse solar radiation (ratio of ground and
extra-terrestrial solar radiation on horizontal surface) = Idh / I0h

 Th Transmission factor for diffuse solar radiation with respect to extra-

terrestrial solar radiation normal to the solar beam = Idh / I0n
 Calculation of Diffuse Solar Radiation On Horizontal surface
For horizontal surface, the Tdh Transmission factor for diffuse solar
radiation is linearly related to TD Transmission factor for direct
solar radiation
Tdh = 0.2710 – 0.2939 TD

 Th Transmission factor for diffuse solar radiation with respect to

extra-terrestrial solar radiation normal to the solar beam is
given by
Th = (0.2710 – 0.2939 TD ) sin (AI)

 For TD = 0.5, For an Al = 60°,

Th = [0.2710 – 0.2939 (0.5)] sin (60°)

= 0.12405 x 0.886
Idh / I0n = 0.1099
Idh = 0.1099 x 1367 W/m2
= 150 W/m2
 Calculation of Diffuse Solar Radiation On Inclined surface
The horizontal surface receives the diffuse solar radiation from the
entire hemispherical sky vault. An inclined surface, on the other
hand receives diffuse radiation from both the sky and ground.

 Diffuse solar radiation components on an inclined surface

 Circumsolar Diffuse radiation (immediately around the sun)

 Background Diffuse radiation (uniformly distributed over entire
hemispherical vault)
 Ground radiation (nearby ground)
 Solar Radiation & Building Orientation
1. The daily total of direct radiation on a horizontal surface
is more than on a vertical surface (especially in the
summers)
 Roof Insulation is more important than on the walls.
 Radiation per unit floor area of the building reduces with the
increase in the number of floors for a given built up area of a
building (as the ratio of the roof area / wall area decreases
with the increase in the number of floors.
 Solar Radiation & Building Orientation
Number Ratio of Wall Roof Built up Roof area/
Length Breadth
Option of the area in area in area in Wall area
in m in m
Storeys number Sqm Sqm Sqm ratio
N W R L B B R/W
A 5 1 5657 5000 70.7 70.7 25000 88%
B 10 2 8000 2500 50 50 25000 31%
C 15 3 9798 1667 40.8 40.8 25000 17%
D 20 4 11314 1250 35.4 35.4 25000 11%
 Solar Radiation & Building Orientation
2. Near Equator, the intensity of solar radiation on walls facing
the east and west is high throughout the year. It is
undesirable to place openings in east and west walls,
except small ones.
 Solar Radiation & Building Orientation
3. At latitudes remote from equator walls facing the equator
(SOUTH) receive a considerable amount of solar radiation
during winter months but little during summer months.
Thus, where solar radiation is required during winters only,
openings in the wall facing equator is ideal.
 Solar Radiation & Building Orientation
4. Though the vertical surfaces oriented towards the east &
west sides receive equal amounts of daily radiation, it is
more important to insulate the western walls.

 when the sun is shining on the eastern wall, the out door
air temperature is lower than the indoor air temperature.

when the sun is shining on the western wall, the out door
air temperature is much higher than the indoor air
temperature.

Time of the Wall Indoor Outdoor Wall

day direction temperature temperature insulation

Sunrise East Higher Lower Not required

Sunset West Lower Higher Required