Guide to Solar Radiation

Parabolic Dish with Stirling Engine - Wikimedia Commons - Courtesy Schlaich Bergermann und Partner The term solar radiation or solar power refers to the complete energy spectrum radiated from the sun. Direct sunlight includes infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light energies. These energies can be recorded, photographed (as in eclipses and auroras or for coronal and sunspot study), and utilized in devices such as solar cells or passive solar collectors. Parabolic Dish-Stirling Engine Technology increases efficiency in utilizing solar power. Solar energy is free and clean—hence, green.

Enjoy informative Bright Hub contributed articles to learn, not only of the technology associated with solar radiation, but also with the science behind the technology.

Building Better for Solar Heating and Cooling As a source of constant solar radiation, the sun can be a warming presence, a source of energy, or an annoying heater depending on the albedo of materials and type of construction used...	How Volcanic Ash Affects the Environment When a volcano erupts, millions of tons of ash can be forced into the atmosphere. Acidic aerosols may remain in the stratosphere for several years and ash clouds may persist for weeks...
How to Photograph the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Have you ever wondered how to capture those brilliant Northern or Southern Lights in the sky with your camera? Here are some tips on photographing that colorful show in the sky...	Solar Insolation Data for Passive Solar Heating at Your Location in the U.S. The rate of solar radiation striking a surface per unit area is called solar insolation or total solar irradiance. For passive solar heating design calculations, solar insolation on...

What Happens to Solar Radiation when it Reaches the Earth as Electromagnetic Waves?

Solar energy is solar radiation that travels from the sun to the earth as electromagnetic waves and is then converted to useful energy. Visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet light are the...

How Volcanic Ash Affects the Environment

When a volcano erupts, millions of tons of ash can be forced into the atmosphere. Acidic aerosols may remain in the stratosphere for several years and ash clouds may persist for weeks. So how does volcanic...

Concentrating Solar Power Technologies 2: Parabolic Dish Stirling Engine Systems

The solar parabolic dish - stirling engine system is one type of concentrating solar power technology. A concentrating solar plant produces a high fluid temperature which leads to higher efficiency for...

Lambert's Law of Solar Energy Absorption by Water

Lambert's Law of solar energy absorption of water is also known by several other names, like Beer's Law and the Lambert Beer Law. Calculations with the Beer Lambert Law can show that virtually...

Causes and Solutions of Pollution from Radiation

Pollution from radiation is a serious environmental concern arising from pollutants released in the environment through human activities....

What Happens to Solar Radiation when it Reaches the Earth as Electromagnetic Waves?

Solar energy is solar radiation that travels from the sun to the earth as electromagnetic waves and is then converted to useful energy. Visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet...

Estimating Solar Radiation Rate to the Tilted Surface of a Solar Panel in the U.S.

Estimation of solar radiation on a tilted surface is part of designing a solar power or solar thermal system. The tilted surface would be a solar panel for a pv solar power system or...