Solar Resources,

Radiation and Optimization

What will I learn here?

 Solar Radiation, Spectrum and Beam / Reflected Light

 Standard Test Conditions

 Sun Position, Collector Angle Optimization

Can You Name These Devices?

Any Other?
Energy from the Sun (Extra – Terrestrial)

Surface: ‘H’ Convection

Photosphere: ~6,000 K

Mean Solar
Distance
Planet Irradiance
(x 109 m)
(W/m2)
Mercury 57 9,116.4
Venus 108 2,611.0
Core Fusion: H  He Earth 150 1,366.1
Temperature: ~20,000,000 K
Mars 227 588.6
Jupiter 778 50.5
Saturn 1426 15.04
Uranus 2868 3.72
Neptune 4497 1.51
Pluto 5806 0.878
Energy on Earth

Direct
Diffused

Global (Total) Solar Radiation

=
Direct (Beam) + Diffuse (Scattered)
Air Mass

Air Mass Reference Power Density

AM0 Radiation in Space 1,366 W/m2
AM1 When the Sun is directly overhead 1,048 W/m2
AM1.5G Standard Spectrum at Earth’s Surface 930 W/m2
AM1.5 Dir Direct Beam Component of AM1.5 846 W/m2
AM1.5 Diff Diffused Component of AM1.5 84 W/m2
AM1.5G* Normalized AM1.5 Spectrum to give: 1,000 W/m2
Standard Test Condition for Solar PV Modules
Standard Testing Conditions (STC)
AM1.5G Normalized at 1,000 W/m2
Radiation: Normal
Temperature: 25°C

AM 1.5 G
1000 W/m2

MNRE Testing Facility

Weather Sensors

Pyranometer Solar Sensor Shielded

(Global Horizontal (Global Horizontal Temperature
Irradiance “GHI”) Irradiance “GHI”) Sensor

Automatic
Weather Station
Pyrheliometer
Ultrasonic Cup-Type (Direct Normal
Anemometer Anemometer Irradiance “DNI”)
Peak Sun Hours

1 kW/m2 1 kW/m2

Radiation (W/m2)
Radiation (W/m2)

7 am 6 pm Time 5.5 hours Time

Fig: Actual Irradiance. Fig: Normalized Irradiance
(with same energy content).

 “Peak Sun Hours” is a commonly used term used for

average daily insolation in units of kWh/m2.
 5.5 hours  5.5 kWh/m2-day.
Insolation Maps
Solar System, Day / Night
Solar System Day & Night

Equinox / Solstice
Sun Path

Over a Day

Over a Year
Sun Position
Latitude and Longitudes

Zero Reflection as
Angle of Incident =
Angle of Reflection

Annual Average
Sun Position of Sun at
Equator
Latitude and Longitudes

Annual Average
Sun Position of Sun at
Equator
Tilt Angle

Zero Reflection as
Angle of Incident =
Angle of Reflection

Annual Average
Sun Position of Sun at
Equator
Solar Time vs. Local Time

12:00 PM (IST) 12:00 PM (IST) 12:00 PM (IST)

Indian Standard
Time

Will receive Sun Seen Sun Overhead

Overhead after half half hour ago
hour SunOverhead
(12:00 PM) Sun - Dial
Collector Angles
Consequences of Module Orientation.

Fig: Effect of Module Orientation on Energy Yield.

Magnetic Declination
Magnetic Declination

 Magnetic Declination is the angle between Magnetic North and

True North.
 Declination is positive when magnetic north is east of true north.
How Much Do We Understand Solar Energy?

 Can plant can survive without Sun’s

radiation (Solar Energy)?

 When my solar PV system generate

more power? during Winter, Summer
and Monsoon? Can you explain why?

 When will my PV system generate

more power? during Morning, Evening
or Noon? Can you explain why?
How much do we know about Solar
Measurements?

 I am able to see other person inside this class room

because of…
(a) Direct / Beam radiation (b) Diffuse / Scattered radiation
 My one square meter solar module in space shall receive
(a) 1366 W/m2 (b) 1000 W/m2 of solar power
 You will record solar power in which of the following
units?
(a) W/m2 (b) Celsius (c) kg / m2 (d) meter
(a) You wish to measure total solar radiation. Which one of
the following instrument you will use?
Chose One

Case - I Case – II: Case – III: Case – IV

Lat. = 23° Lat. = 23°
Ng Nm
(a) (a) Tilt = 10 ° (a) Tilt = 40 ° (a)

(b) (b) Tilt = 23° (b) Tilt = 23° (b)