Modeling and Simulation of Solar Radiation

Abstract

The energy output of the Sun is fairly constant, but the solar irradiance varies significantly from one place to another and changes throughout the year. Sunlight only reaches the parts of the Earth that are facing the Sun at any given time, and the most intense irradiance is experienced by those parts that are not at an angle to the Sun as it passes over. The modeling and simulation of solar irradiance for a given area is useful for planning future investments in PV and thermal collectors.