Reasons for Variations in Solar Radiation Reaching the Earth
Q. What are the reasons for variations in solar radiation reaching the earth and that are received at the outside of the atmosphere?
While the solar radiation Incident on the earth’s atmosphere is relatively constant, the radiation at the earth’s surface varies widely due to :
- Atmosphere effects , including absorption and scattering.
- Local variations in the atmosphere, such as water vapour, clouds and pollution.
- Latitude of the location, and
- The season of the year and the time of day.