Non Conventional Energy Resources

18ME653

Module – 1
Solar Energy

Prof. Rangaswamaiah N

Department of
Mechanical Engineering
www.cambridge.edu.in
EXTRATERRESTRIAL AND TERRESTRIAL RADIATIONS
 The intensity of solar radiation keeps on attenuating as it propagates away from
the surface of the sun, though the wavelengths remain unchanged. Solar
radiation incident on the outer atmosphere of the earth is known as
Extraterrestrial Radiation, Iext.
 The extraterrestrial radiation deviates from solar constant value due to two
reasons. The first is the variation in the radiation emitted by the sun itself. The
variation due to this reason is less than ±1.5 per cent with different
periodicities. The second is the variation of earth–sun distance arising from
earth’s slightly elliptic path. The variation due to this reason is ±3 per cent and
is given by: Iext = Isc [1 + 0.033 cos (360 n/365)] W/m2.
 The extraterrestrial radiation, being outside the atmosphere, is not affected by
changes in atmospheric conditions.
While passing through the atmosphere it is subjected to mechanisms of
atmospheric absorption and scattering depending on atmospheric conditions,
depleting its intensity.
 A fraction of scattered radiation is reflected back to space while remaining is
directed downwards. Solar radiation that reaches earth surface after passing
through the earth’s atmosphere is known as Terrestrial Radiation.
 The terrestrial radiation expressed as energy per unit time per unit area (i.e.
W/m2) is known as Solar Irradiation. The term Solar Insolation (incident solar
radiation) is defined as solar radiation energy received on a given surface area
in a given time (in J/m2 or kWh/m2). The positions of extraterrestrial and
terrestrial regions are indicated.
SPECTRAL POWER DISTRIBUTION OF SOLAR
RADIATION
Solar Radiation Spectrum
Solar radiation covers a continuous spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wide
frequency range. About 99 per cent of the extraterrestrial radiation has wavelengths
in the range from 0.2 to 4 μm with maximum spectral intensity at 0.48 μm (green
portion of visible range). About 6.4 per cent of extraterrestrial radiation energy is
contained in ultraviolet region (l < 0.38 μm); another 48 per cent is contained in the
visible region (0.38 μm < l < 0.78 μm) and the remaining 45.6 per cent is contained
in the infrared region (l > 0.78 μm). There is almost complete absorption of short
wave radiation in range (l < 0.29 μm) and infrared radiation in range (l > 2.3 μm) in
the atmosphere. Thus, from the point of view of terrestrial applications of solar
energy, the radiation only in the range of wavelengths between 0.29 and 2.3 μm is
significant.
The spectral solar irradiation distribution both for extraterrestrial and terrestrial
radiation is shown in Fig. 4.4. The areas under these curves indicate the total
radiation intensities in W/m2 respectively for extraterrestrial and terrestrial regions.
 Solar Constant
Solar Constant, Isc is defined as the energy received from the sun per unit time,
on a unit area of surface perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the
radiation, at the earth’s mean distance from the sun. The World Radiation Center
(WRC) has adopted a value of solar constant as 1367 W/m2 (1.940 cal/cm2 min,
432Btu/ft2 hr or 4.921 MJ/m2 hr). This has been accepted universally as a
standard value of solar constant.
 Types of Radiation
Following are the 3 types of Radiation, namely
1. Beam radiation
2. Diffuse radiation
3. Global radiation
 Beam radiation: Solar radiation propagating in a straight line and received at the earth
surface without change of direction, i.e., in line with sun is called beam or direct radiation.
 Diffuse radiation: Solar radiation scattered by aerosols, dust and molecules is known as
diffuse radiation. It does not have a unique direction. Even on clear days, there will be some
diffuse radiation depending upon the amount of dust particles, ozone and water vapor
present in the atmosphere. On overcast days when the sun not visible, all the radiation
reaching the ground will be diffuse radiation.
 Global radiation: The sum of beam and diffuse radiation is referred to as total or global
radiation.
SOLAR RADIATION DATA
 SOLAR RADIATION DATA
The radiation data are mostly measured on a horizontal surface. Typical records of global and
defuse radiation versus solar time on a horizontal surface for a clear day and partially cloudy day
are shown in Fig. 4.10. Daily radiant energy is obtained from the area under the corresponding
curve. Monthly average of the daily radiation is obtained by averaging over a span of the
corresponding month and expressed in kJ/m2. An alternative unit for expressing solar radiation is
Langley per unit time, where one Langley is equal to 1 calory/cm2.
Thus, solar radiation data are presented in three ways:
(i) Flow of energy per unit area per second, ( kJ/m2-s)
(ii) Flow of energy per unit area per hour, (kJ/m2-h)
(iii) Flow of energy per unit area per day, (kJ/m2-day)
The incident solar radiation is also a function of the orientation (or tilt, due south in northern
hemisphere) of solar collector from horizontal. A typical pattern of relative irradiation throughout
a year for three tilt angles equal to: (i) latitude, (ii) (latitude – 15°) and (iii) (latitude + 15°) is
shown in Fig. The radiation pattern indicates favouring of certain tilt during certain periods of the
year. Therefore, seasonaladjustment of tilt angle may result in enhanced radiation collection.
However, overall strategy changes from place to place and also on the type of application.
 Measurement of solar radiation
Solar radiation data are measured mainly by the following
instruments:
i. Pyranometer:
• A pyranometer is designed to measure global radiation, usually on a horizontal surface, but
can also be used on an inclined surface. When shaded from direct beam radiation by using
a shadow band, a pyranometer measures diffused radiation.
ii. Pyrheliometer:
• An instrument that measures beam radiation by using a long narrow tube to collect only
beam radiation from the sun at normal incidence.
iii. Sunshine Recorder:
• It measures the sunshine hours in a day.
 Pyranometer Setup

A pyranometer is a type of actinometer used

for measuring solar irradiance on a planar
surface and it is designed to measure the solar
radiation flux density (W/m2) from the Line drawing overview of a thermopile
hemisphere above within a wavelength range pyranometer, including: (1) cable; (2)
0.3 μm to 3 μm. thumb screw for the sun screen; (3) inner
A thermopile pyranometer is a sensor based dome; (4) thermal sensor; (5) outer dome;
on thermopiles designed to measure the (6) sun screen; (7) humidity indicator; (8)
broadband of the solar radiation flux density desiccant holder; (9) levelling feet; (10)
from a 180° field of view angle. bubble level
Pyrheliometer Setup

A pyrheliometer is an instrument
for measurement of direct
beam solar irradiance. Sunlight
enters the instrument through a
window and is directed onto
a thermopile which converts heat
to an electrical signal that can be
recorded.
Sunshine recorder

A sunshine recorder is a device that

records the amount of sunshine at a
given location. The results provide
information about the weather and
climate as well as the temperature of a
geographical area.